Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus James Booe Dies at 83

Retired CWA Secretary-Treasurer James B. Booe, who helped guide CWA for nearly 45 years died July 9. He was 83. Booe retired as secretary-treasurer in 1992 after having served CWA as secretary-treasurer and executive vice president. Booe joined CWA staff in 1960 as a District 9 CWA representative, and became CWA's Northern California director in 1965. In 1968 he was named assistant to the district vice president, and was elected district vice president in 1970.

Booe moved to Washington, D.C., in 1976 to serve as assistant to CWA President Glenn Watts, and was elected executive vice president in 1980. As head of CWA's governmental affairs program, he chaired CWA's political action fund, building the program into a force in American politics. During the breakup of the Bell System, Booe fought to protect the pension portability of the thousands of CWA members affected by AT&T's divestiture. He was elected secretary-treasurer in 1985.

In 1950, Booe joined CWA Local 9571 (now Local 9586) while working at General Telephone of California as a switchman. He served his country during the Korean conflict, then returned to serve his local union as chief steward, vice president and president. Upon his retirement in 1992, Booe was named secretary-treasurer emeritus.

Booe is survived by Judi, his wife and companion of nearly 38 years, six children and 12 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.