James Ernest Hatfield (March 29, 1931 – February 4, 2007) was an American labor union leader.

Born in Wilkerson, Pennsylvania, Hatfield began working for the Kimble Glass Company in Columbus, Ohio when he was 22 years old. He joined the Glass Bottle Blowers Association (GBBA), serving various roles in his local union. He then became a full-time organizer for the international union, and next, an area director. In 1974, he was elected as the union's international secretary-treasurer.[1][2]

Hatfield was elected as president of the GBBA in 1977. As leader of the union, he negotiated a merger with the International Brotherhood of Pottery and Allied Workers. This was completed in 1982, forming the Glass, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers' International Union, with Hatfield becoming its founding president. He also served as a vice-president of the AFL-CIO from 1981, and as president of the federation's Union Label and Service Trades Department from 1982. He retired as leader of the union in 1994, and from the AFL-CIO in 1997.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ Who's Who in Labor. Arno Press. 1976.
  2. ^ a b "James E. Hatfield". AFL-CIO. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
Trade union offices
Preceded by
Harry A. Tulley
President of the Glass Bottle Blowers' Association
1977–1982
Succeeded by
Union merged
Preceded by
Union founded
President of the Glass, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers' International Union
1982–1988
Succeeded by
Union merged
Preceded by
Union founded
President of the Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Union
1988–1994
Succeeded by
Frank W. Carter
Preceded by
John E. Mara
President of the Union Label Department
1982–1997
Succeeded by
Charles Mercer