T.D. STEINKE

1925-2009

A fixture in the Central Texas Labor Council since well before the founding of the Texas AFL-CIO, T.D. Steinke has served as an activist, mentor, and organizer for local unions and the state labor federation for more than 60 years.

Born near Mart, Texas, Steinke began his union career as a truck tire builder trainee and held a variety of positions in the United Rubber Workers. Among his duties as an International Representative and District Director, Steinke became a respected expert in contract negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation involving workplace rights. Many newly organized local unions benefited from Steinke’s guidance on how to serve workers and grow. He was an active participant in labor conventions and Democratic Party politics.

Steinke served as a Navy signalman during World War II. He has remained active in the labor movement since his retirement in 1991 and is well known for his activities in a variety of service organizations.