JAMES W. HOLBROOK

1927-2012

From a position at the center of decades of relations between the Communications Workers of America and AT&T, James Holbrook built a statewide reputation for union stewardship that promoted thousands of solid middle-class jobs and ultimately made cooperation a model for the union-company relationship.

Following a military career, Holbrook started work in Dallas in the late 1940s with AT&T as a cable splicer's helper. He later held several offices in CWA Local 6215, including a stint as President during a period of rocky relations between the union and company. In whatever capacity he served, Holbrook actively worked with all union members to promote CWA and labor’s interests.

Holbrook also became a statewide activist, serving as Vice President of the Dallas AFL-CIO, Vice President of the Texas AFL-CIO, and assistant to the Commissioner representing Labor at the Texas Employment Commission. After long service on the Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board, he became President of TPLC-CWA and a member of CWA retirees.

Holbrook is also proud of his long Democratic pedigree, having served as a national delegate at the 1964 convention that nominated Lyndon Johnson for President, and has been a strong advocate for many Democrats since then. A father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Holbrook continues in a role as an elder statesman in the Texas labor movement.