UAW Mourns Passing of Doug Fraser
02/25/2008
Statements and Expressions of Sympathy from
Various Officials on the death of Doug Fraser

It is with deep sadness that the UAW announces the passing of former UAW President Douglas Fraser. Fraser died this weekend at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Mich. He was 91.

“It’s a huge loss,” said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. “Doug was a friend, a mentor and a counselor to so many within the UAW and the larger labor movement. His integrity and his enduring commitment to protecting the rights of workers will continue to inspire us.”

Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1916, Fraser moved to Detroit with his family when he was six years old. He went to work at the Chrysler DeSoto plant and soon joined the UAW. He was elected president of Local 227 in 1944. His astute negotiating and leadership skills led Walter Reuther to appoint Fraser his administrative assistant in 1950. Fraser served as co-director of UAW Region 1A and in 1962 became director of the union’s Chrysler Department. He was elected vice president in 1970.

Fraser served as president of the UAW from 1977 to 1983. During his term he helped engineer the historic federal loan guarantees and the subsequent financial turnaround of Chrysler Corp. He later served on the company’s board of directors.

As a tribute to Fraser, after he retired, the UAW established the Douglas A. Fraser Community Services Swift Award, which recognizes individuals possessing the qualities of persistence, integrity and achievement.

After retiring from the UAW, Fraser began a second career as a distinguished university professor of labor studies at Wayne State University. Fraser also was a lecturer at Harvard, Notre Dame and other universities.

In November 1997, the College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs at Wayne state University created the Douglas A. Fraser Center for Workplace Issues. Housed at the university's Walter P. Reuther Library, it is a fitting tribute to the man who always focused his career and energies on improving the economic and social well-being of working Americans.

Regarded as labor’s statesman, his first concern was always the membership. “He never forgot that we were working for our active and retired members,” said Gettelfinger. “We will continue to draw encouragement from his life and his legacy.”

The UAW extends its deepest sympathy to Doug’s wife, Winifred, and their family.