Pioneer Organizer Allan Baker Dies

Wright Allan Baker, a retired CWA representative in District 9, died Dec. 3 at the age of 97. "My father's life spanned a century," his son, Donald, said. Born in Alberta, Canada. "He first traveled with his father by horse and buggy and went into the mountains to do logging by steam tractor. By the end of his life, it was travel by modern jets."

Baker worked from 1928 to 1949 in the switch room of Associated Telephone in Santa Monica, Calif., which later became GTE of California. He was active in one of about 17 independent unions that represented telephone workers on the West Coast prior to the formation of CWA in 1947.

"He first worked out of Long Beach," said his son. "He would drive to various locals all over the San Joaquin Valley, helping workers organize unions and holding meetings for them."

Baker's union became Division 7 of CWA, headquartered in San Francisco, and from 1949 he served as its president and organizer. After CWA was reorganized into geographical districts in 1949, he worked as a CWA representative for what is now District 9, serving in the Fresno office.

"In those days, as now, CWA representatives did everything - organization, legislation, representation," said Louie Knecht, retired CWA secretary-treasurer and District 9 vice president. "Allan was a good man, dedicated to serving our union."

From 1960, Baker worked under Knecht in the San Francisco District 9 headquarters. In June 1971, he retired to his home in Long Beach.

He is survived by a daughter, Marilyn D. Baker Averbach; son Donald; a granddaughter, Shannon L. Wade; grandson, Clark Wade; and nephew, Philip Baker.