August Bellanca

August Bellanca (1880–1969) was an Italian-born American labor activist who was a founder and three-time vice president of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA). The ACWA was formed as an offshoot of United Garment Workers and was the result of tensions between the national union and urban locals. Bellanca served as vice president at intervals over a period of fifty years, from 1916-1934, 1946-1948 and also from 1952-1966.

Biography Bellanca was born in Sciacca, Sicily in 1880 and migrated to the United States in 1900. His brothers included Giuseppe, an aeronautical designer, and Frank, a labor leader and businessman. The union began actively working against members in urban areas. Bellanca's involvement in 1913 centered on getting support from Italian workers for the 1913 New York Garment workers strike. He particularly concentrated his efforts on preventing Italian scabs from crossing picket lines. The two devoted their lives to the ACWA and were long-time proponents of trade unionism.