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Retired EVP James Massey, Early CWA Leader, Dead at 91
James M. Massey, who retired in 1971 as a CWA executive vice president, has died after a long illness. He was 91. Massey worked as an installer at the Western Electric Co. for 20 years, traveling all over the United States with the company before being hired by CWA. He was brought on board by CWA’s founding president, Joseph A. Beirne, in 1951, working for District 3 in his home state of Georgia.
Past CWA President Glenn Watts said Massey was a CWA pioneer, “considered among the first waves of leadership in the union.” He said Massey had risen through the union local to lead to the installers group, which numbered more than 12,000 workers nationwide.
“He was a very strong leader,” Watts said. “All of us looked at that particular group, the Western Electric installers, as one of the strongest units, and he became the head of it. They played a large role in leading the whole union to build a better a union.”
Massey also “led one of the first and strongest strikes against the Bell System with the installers unit, and in doing so set a pattern for the rest of the union in bargaining,” Watts said.
In late 1955, Massey was named CWA’s Georgia director. Two years later, he was elected as one of three CWA vice presidents, with responsibility for organizing. A decision at the 1966 convention changed the title to executive vice president.
Outside of work, Massey was a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks and a 32nd Degree Mason. During World War II, he served on the National War Labor Board. Watts said Massey was also an avid golfer and fisherman, and enjoyed both into his 80s.
Massey retired to Florida in 1970 with his wife, Irene. The couple was married 69 years. In addition to his wife, Massey is survived by a brother and three nieces.
Past CWA President Glenn Watts said Massey was a CWA pioneer, “considered among the first waves of leadership in the union.” He said Massey had risen through the union local to lead to the installers group, which numbered more than 12,000 workers nationwide.
“He was a very strong leader,” Watts said. “All of us looked at that particular group, the Western Electric installers, as one of the strongest units, and he became the head of it. They played a large role in leading the whole union to build a better a union.”
Massey also “led one of the first and strongest strikes against the Bell System with the installers unit, and in doing so set a pattern for the rest of the union in bargaining,” Watts said.
In late 1955, Massey was named CWA’s Georgia director. Two years later, he was elected as one of three CWA vice presidents, with responsibility for organizing. A decision at the 1966 convention changed the title to executive vice president.
Outside of work, Massey was a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks and a 32nd Degree Mason. During World War II, he served on the National War Labor Board. Watts said Massey was also an avid golfer and fisherman, and enjoyed both into his 80s.
Massey retired to Florida in 1970 with his wife, Irene. The couple was married 69 years. In addition to his wife, Massey is survived by a brother and three nieces.