February 16, 1986
Harry Van Arsdale Jr. was born on November 23, 1905. His father Harry Sr. was a Local 3 electrician who survived a four-year lockout by the contractors, as did our Local. Harry Jr. was elected Business Manager in 1933 when he was 28 years old. He was and continues to be revered by the members of Local 3 despite the fact that he has been gone for 33 years on February 16. Read the book Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Labor's Champion, not just to understand our history but to understand our responsibility to keep this union strong.
Time marches on, always new challenges, but the foundation of this organization and all the good it has provided for thousands of members over the years is solid. A little weathered but solid. We all know what we need to do and some of our members might need a little reminder.
We were blessed to have had a man like Harry. He was a visionary and man of the highest integrity, and along with his associates left us a legacy to be protected, nurtured and built upon, so we and the next generations of Local 3 members can enjoy the same level of benefits that have made us some of the luckiest working men and women in the world.
Thank you Harry, Rest In Peace
