ALBERT BOWLES

1922-2002

Known as a “main warrior for the workers” and “Mr.Democrat,” Albert Stanely Bowles advanced the cause of working people in Texas throughout more than 52 years of leadership in the Communications Workers of America. 

After fudging his age to serve in the Pacific as a member of the Navy during World War II. Bowles went to work in 1945 for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Dallas. He joined CWA Local 6215 and quickly rose through the ranks to become Secretary-treasurer of the union. 

CWA sent the Austin native to Buffalo, NY in 1956 as a temporary organizer and CWA Funding President Joseph Beirne hired him two years later as a staff member for the national union. Bowles organized telephone company workers in Trinidad and in San Antonio. As a CWA administrative assistant (title later changed to Southern Area Director), he moved to Austin in 1974. 

Active in all areas of the labor movement and Democratic Party, Bowles was a successful COPE fundraiser, lobbyist, precinct chair and precinct judge. He was a respected member of the Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board for well over 20 years. After retiring in 1997, he remained involved in labor and political issues, belonging to retiree clubs in CWA 6143 and 6132.

Albert was married to Joyce Bowles. They had one son, Michael.