Departments

Region 8 Mours the Passing of Herb Butler
02/25/2008

On February 21, 2008, Local 10 lost one of its most influential members. James Herbert “Herb” Butler passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 80. Brother Butler served his union for over 50 years.

Herb Butler was born November 4, 1927 in Silver Grove, Kentucky In his career with the union he served as Chairman, Region & Servicing Representative, a member of the Employment Security Agency Advisory Council, Director of the Atlanta area UAW from 1969 to 1990, and Chairman of Local the Local 10 Retirees chapter. He was loved and respected by his peers, and became one of the most influential leaders in labor union history in the state of Georgia.

“None of us would be here without Herb, and we will never forget that” said AFL-CIO Senior Field rep for Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas Jimmy Hyde.

Herb first joined UAW Local 10 in 1945 when he worked at Bell Aircraft for 3 months on the B-2 Building as an Instrument Repaiman. He then joined the Merchant Marines in 1945 and served as a Seaman for 18 months and was a member of the National Maritime Union (NMUAFL). In January 1948 he joined UAW Local 34, and worked at the Chevrolet Plant for 3 weeks. He was laod off after 3 weeks and applied for work at the Ford Plant in Hapeville, and B.O.P Doraville.

On February 4, 1948 Herb was hired as an Assembler in the Cushion Room at B.O.P Doraville, Georgia. He joined UAW Local 10 on February 12, 1948. That same year he served on the Organizing Committee. In 1948 and 1949 he served on several election Committeesand Appointment Committees. In 1951, he was elected as Alternate Committeeman in the trim Department. In 1952, he was elected as Committeeman in the trim Department. Then in 1953, Herb was elected Chairman and served in that role until until going on to the Staff of the International Union on October 26, 1957. He was assigned to service Local 10.

In January 1971, Herb was appointed Atlanta Area Director by Region 8 Director E.T. Michael.

The Local 10 Membership voted to name the Local 10 Union Hall "The Herb Butler Hall" for the many contributions he has made to Local 10. A Dedication Day and barbecue was held on October 1, 1983 in honor of him. Herb retired July 1990 and was later elected Retiree Chapter Chairman.

The viewing will be Saturday February 23, 2008 from 4-8 pm at the Herb Butler UAW Local 10 Union Hall, 5407 Buford Hwy, Doraville Ga. , 30340. The funeral service will be Sunday February 24, 1:30 pm at the union hall. In lieu of flowers , please make a donation to the American Cancer Society, 2200 Lake Blvd NE, Atlanta GA, (404) 816-7800.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Herb Butler family.