Sylvester Frank "Bud" Raftery (November 30, 1918 – November 20, 1986) was an American labor union leader.

Bud Raftery
15th President of the Brotherhood of Painters and Decorators of America
In office
1964–1984
Preceded byLawrence M. Raftery
Succeeded byWilliam A. Duval
Personal details
Born
Sylvester Frank Raftery

(1918-11-30)November 30, 1918
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedNovember 20, 1986(1986-11-20) (aged 67)
Parent
ProfessionLabor union leader
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
UnitSeabee
Battles/warsWorld War II

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Raftery was the son of Lawrence M. Raftery. He became a sign painter at the age of 16, and joined the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America (BPDPA), in which his father was also active.[1]

Raftery served with the Seebees in the Pacific during World War II. In the early 1950s, his father became president of the BPDPA, and he appointed Bud as its full-time director of jurisdiction. In 1964, he succeeded his father as union president.[1]

As leader of the union, Raftery moved its headquarters to Washington D.C. He also created a national pension fund for painters, and set up a health and safety department in the union. He also served as a vice-president of the AFL-CIO. However, his leadership of the union was unpopular with rank-and-file members in many larger cities.[1][2]

Raftery retired in 1984 due to poor health. He died two years later.[1][2]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Former painters union head Sylvester (Bud) Raftery dies". Washington Post. November 22, 1986.
  2. ^ a b "S. Frank Raftery, 68, painters' union chief". New York Times. November 23, 1986.
Trade union offices
Preceded by President of the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America
1964–1984
Succeeded by
William A. Duval