Early Union Career
He dropped out of high school when he was 18, worked in a machine shop, and took several jobs in the auto industry. Fraser eventually found work as a metal finisher in one of Chrysler's DeSoto factories, where he became active in the union in 1936. He was twice fired for his union beliefs and activities, and participated sitdown strikes at Chrysler. Fraser was elected president of UAW Local 227 in 1943, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
After the war, Fraser quickly rose through the ranks in the UAW. He was appointed an international representative in 1947. During a difficult 104-day strike at Chrysler in 1950, he deeply impressed UAW staff with his negotiating skill. He joined the personal staff of UAW President Walter Reuther in 1951, where he was a personal administrative assistant to the president. In 1959, he was elected co-director of UAW Region 1A, and a member-at-large of the international UAW board of directors in 1962. Reuther soon thereafter appointed him director of the UAW's Chrysler, Skilled Trades, and Technical, Office and Professional Departments. He was elected a vice-president of the international union in 1970.
As a key member of Reuther's staff, Fraser was involved in a number of successful collective bargaining agreements. early retirement program in 1964, and wage parity for U.S. and Canadian members in 1967. Reuther died in a plane crash during the 1970 contract talks, leading many to speculate that Fraser might be tapped to lead the union. But after a deeply divided vote of the UAW executive council voted 13-to-12 against him, Fraser withdrew his name and Leonard Woodcock became union president. Fraser led a nine-day strike against Chrysler which began on September 14, 1973, the first against the automaker in decades. The collective bargaining agreement hammered out five days later (and ratified on September 23) contained restrictions on mandatory overtime, a comprehensive health and safety program, significant improvement to the early retirement plan, and a new dental care benefit. A new streamlined arbitration process was also negotiated, which reduced the time for resolving grievances.
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