EMMETT SHEPPARD

1942-2020

A Texas AFL-CIO president who modernized the state federation’s office and political operations, Emmett Sheppard built a record of outstanding advocacy for working families in Texas.

Sheppard was already a well-known activist with the Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers Union (now USW) when he came to the state federation as legislative director in 1989. He was almost immediately embroiled in a prolonged legislative fight over workers’ compensation. While labor’s position was ultimately undercut, every point Sheppard made in sometimes around-the-clock negotiations that lasted months proved accurate - eventually forcing the Legislature to revisit and improve the law.

As Texas AFL-CIO President and, before that, Secretary-Treasurer, Sheppard was instrumental in bringing the state federation fully into the digital age. He insisted on adding electronic resources that enabled the union movement to maintain communications with younger members. An exceptionally talented political strategist, Sheppard redoubled the Get Out the Vote program, insisting on systematic contacts based on a revamped voter list system that fully rewarded labor’s traditional grassroots efforts in the field. Sheppard also invested in resources that allowed the United Labor Legislative Committee to keep up with legislative developments on a minute-by-minute basis.

Sheppard has fought for working families throughout his career and in retirement. He could not be conned, bought, or bullied away from any principle of the Texas labor movement. A fierce negotiator, a loyal friend, and, above all, an advocate for the cause of labor, Sheppard remains a valuable source of wisdom and activity within the labor retiree community.

Sheppard is married to Kathy Sheppard and has two daughters and two granddaughters.