Oil Can Eddie and the Battle for the Steelworkers’ Union

Roger Biles and Mark Rose discuss the legacy of Eddie Sadlowski, a charismatic and progressive Chicago steelworker who, unhappy with the United Steelworker of America’s closed-rank authoritarian leadership and tepid support for rank-and-file members, led a highly visible yet unsuccessful dissident campaign in the contentious election for the USWA’s presidency in 1977. Dr. Biles is a Professor Emeritus of history at Illinois State University. Dr. Rose is a professor of history at Florida Atlantic University. Their article, “’Oil Can Eddie’ and the Battle for the Steelworkers’ Union,” was published in the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society . Related Resources: “’Oil Can Eddie’ and the Battle for the Steelworkers’ Union” Related Collections: Edward Sadlowski Papers (LP000754) Episode Credits Interviewee: Roger Biles and Mark Rose Producers: Dan Golodner and Troy Eller English Music: Bart Bealmear

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Oil Can Eddie and the Battle for the Steelworkers’ Union is an episode from Tales from the Reuther Library by Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University.

This episode is 35:22 long.

This episode was published on Jul 31, 2025.

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