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William Frank Schnitzler

1904 – 1983

American unionist

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About William Frank Schnitzler

Lived 1904 – 1983 (aged 78–79). William Frank Schnitzler was an American trade unionist and baker.

William Frank Schnitzler (January 21, 1904 – June 17, 1983) was an American labor union leader.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Schnitzler began working on a peddler's wagon, then during World War I worked in an ammunition factory. In the 1920s, he became a metal polisher, then an apprentice baker with the Peerless Baking Company. He joined the Bakery and Confectionery Workers' International Union, rising to become its business agent in 1943, and then its general secretary-treasurer in 1946.

In 1950, Schnitzler became president of the union, but in 1952 he moved to become secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), in which role he played a leading role in negotiating its merger with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). When the AFL–CIO was formed, he remained in the same position, the second-most senior role in the federation.

In 1961, Schnitzler chaired a committee investigating discrimination against minorities in the union movement, and declared his opposition to racism. He retired in 1969, moving to Lewes, Delaware, where he died in 1983.

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Important facts

Born
1904, Newark
Birth century
Nationality
Employers
Secretary-Treasurer's Office, AFL Office of the Secretary-Treasurer
Also known as
William F. Schnitzler

People in William Frank Schnitzler's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Frank Schnitzler's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Frank Schnitzler?

American unionist

When was William Frank Schnitzler born?

William Frank Schnitzler was born in 1904 in Newark.

When did William Frank Schnitzler die?

William Frank Schnitzler died on 17 June 1983 in Lewes.

What was William Frank Schnitzler's occupation?

William Frank Schnitzler was a trade unionist and baker.

What nationality was William Frank Schnitzler?

William Frank Schnitzler was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Frank Schnitzler

· Wikidata: Q98275517

· DBpedia: William F. Schnitzler

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Frank Schnitzler. https://biography.guide/william-frank-schnitzler/

MLA: "William Frank Schnitzler." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-frank-schnitzler/.

Chicago: "William Frank Schnitzler." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-frank-schnitzler/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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