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Cancer Claims Former Long Lines Director Fred Fischer
Frederick J. Fischer Sr., a one-time national director of the AT&T Long Lines unit and CWA Executive Board member, died March 25 of cancer. He was 75.
Known for an engaging presence, he was a hard worker who had a sharp eye for contracts. After Fischer's retirement in September 1982, then-CWA President Glenn Watts wrote, "Through competent and persistent efforts in a series of responsible and important positions over 20 years, Fred achieved a most enviable measure of esteem and respect among his colleagues and the CWA members he served."
Fischer became an installer for New York Telephone in December 1949, shortly after completing a three-year tour in the Navy as a submariner. He undertook various leadership positions and ultimately became president of CWA Local 1106 in Queens Village, N.Y.
"He loved CWA and everything about it, particularly the organizing, and he loved his family," said his wife Dolores.
Fischer joined the staff in October 1962 as a CWA representative assigned to headquarters. Transferred to the District 4 Detroit office in April 1963, he served as staff chair of the Michigan Bell bargaining unit, which that year set the pattern for bargaining throughout the AT&T/Bell System.
The following year he moved to District 1 and worked in both the New York and New Jersey offices. In July 1970 he was promoted to assistant director of Long Lines, servicing 36 CWA locals with members who worked for AT&T's long distance unit. He also, for a time, served as vice president of the CWA Staff Union.
Delegates at the CWA convention in June 1977 elected him national director of Long Lines.
In June 1980, then-District 1 Vice President Morton Bahr named Fischer his administrative assistant. He worked out of the district headquarters in New York until transferring to the Cranford, N.J., office in January 1982. He retired that September.
He is survived by his wife, sons Frederick Jr. of Long Island, N.Y., and Raymond of Garden City, N.J., and daughters Helen Yeaman and Alicia Nowinski of Long Island and Marianne Amato of Scotia, N.Y.
Known for an engaging presence, he was a hard worker who had a sharp eye for contracts. After Fischer's retirement in September 1982, then-CWA President Glenn Watts wrote, "Through competent and persistent efforts in a series of responsible and important positions over 20 years, Fred achieved a most enviable measure of esteem and respect among his colleagues and the CWA members he served."
Fischer became an installer for New York Telephone in December 1949, shortly after completing a three-year tour in the Navy as a submariner. He undertook various leadership positions and ultimately became president of CWA Local 1106 in Queens Village, N.Y.
"He loved CWA and everything about it, particularly the organizing, and he loved his family," said his wife Dolores.
Fischer joined the staff in October 1962 as a CWA representative assigned to headquarters. Transferred to the District 4 Detroit office in April 1963, he served as staff chair of the Michigan Bell bargaining unit, which that year set the pattern for bargaining throughout the AT&T/Bell System.
The following year he moved to District 1 and worked in both the New York and New Jersey offices. In July 1970 he was promoted to assistant director of Long Lines, servicing 36 CWA locals with members who worked for AT&T's long distance unit. He also, for a time, served as vice president of the CWA Staff Union.
Delegates at the CWA convention in June 1977 elected him national director of Long Lines.
In June 1980, then-District 1 Vice President Morton Bahr named Fischer his administrative assistant. He worked out of the district headquarters in New York until transferring to the Cranford, N.J., office in January 1982. He retired that September.
He is survived by his wife, sons Frederick Jr. of Long Island, N.Y., and Raymond of Garden City, N.J., and daughters Helen Yeaman and Alicia Nowinski of Long Island and Marianne Amato of Scotia, N.Y.