Herman Benson

Herman William Benson (July 9, 1915 – July 2, 2020) was an American union reformer and machinist, who founded and led the Association for Union Democracy (AUD), based in Brooklyn, New York. He fought corruption and racketeering within unions, defended rank-and-file union members' rights, and advocated union democracy for over 60 years. In 1933, Benson was one of 20 students expelled from the City College of New York, for participating in an anti-war protest against the campus ROTC during his sophomore year. When the draft began several years later, he received a deferment due to a hearing impairment.

Trade career After getting expelled in 1933, Benson worked in several factories, including one which made Shirley Temple dolls. In 1947, he ran as the Workers Party candidate for mayor of Detroit, but was defeated. Ironically, they were expelled by the union's international president, A. J. Hayes, who was also serving as chairman of the ethical practices committee of the AFL–CIO.

Working with Socialist leader Norman Thomas, Benson organized an ad hoc legal fund for activist Marion Cieply and Irwin Rappaport, a shop steward. Although the lawsuit was eventually dismissed because the events had taken place before the LMRDA, also known as the Landrum–Griffin Act, had been passed, the case marked the start of a decades-long collaboration between Benson and Summers. With Benson at the helm as its executive director, the AUD functioned as a support network, educating union members about their rights; advising and assisting union dissidents and reformers in finding legal representation; raising funds; and advocating democracy within unions as a means of fighting corruption.

Book In 2004, Benson published Rebels, Reformers, and Racketeers: How Insurgents Transformed the Labor Movement, his account of AUD history, including its work with dissidents and reformers in fighting corruption across multiple unions.

Personal life and death Herman Benson was married to his wife Revella for 50 years, and had two children. Born in Akron, Ohio, in 1919, Revella Sholiton attended the University of Akron, but dropped out to become an activist in the Socialist Party. The Bensons first met in Detroit, where they were both working in factories and were active in the Workers Party.