Michael Dorsey oral history interview, December 7, 2011

Item — othertype: Oral History

Identifier: DorseyM_L2012-05

Staff Only

Michael Dorsey oral history interview

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Scope and Contents

Interviewed by Traci Drummond. Dorsey recalls his family history with unions in Lowell, Massachusetts. Dorsey discusses the process of handling grievances and negotiations in local 1746. Dorsey recounts the role the Connecticut Central Labor Council had in politics following the censure of Senator Tom Dodd. Dorsey describes the planning that went into the quadrennial IAMAW convention as part of his duties working for the International grand lodge. Dorsey illustrates the process of closing a local lodge, and describes executive council meetings. Dorsey provides his account of the gradual merger with the Transportation and Communications Union (TCU) with the IAMAW.

Dates

Creation: December 7, 2011

Creator

Dorsey, Michael L. (Interviewee, Person)

Restrictions on Access

Oral history available for research.

Biographical Note

Michael “Lee” Dorsey was born August 8, 1942 in Lowell, Massachusetts to Edward M. Dorsey and Mary D. Dorsey (neé Meehan). After completing high school in 1960, Dorsey attended aircraft engine mechanic school at East Coast Aerotech and got a job in the aircraft industry at Hamilton Standard as a nonunion turbo pump tester. He joined the Coast Guard in 1962, and upon returning in 1964, joined IAMAW local lodge 1746 through his job as an experimental mechanic at Pratt & Whitney. Beginning in 1971, Dorsey served as secretary-treasurer of local 1746, and worked closely with the district 91 (now district 26) office, which shared office space with his local lodge. Dorsey began working for the International lodge in 1979 and served as grand lodge auditor until 1988, when he became administrative assistant to General Secretary-Treasurer (GST) Tom Ducey. Prior to his retirement in 2007, Dorsey also served as special assistant to the GST, and assistant secretary to the GST. Dorsey also served as president of the Greater Hartford chapter of the Connecticut Central Labor Council, vice president of the Conneticut AFL-CIO, and served on the Connecticut State Council of Machinists.