Champion of American Labor Movement dies, funeral to be in Ullin
CAIRO, Ill. (KBSI) – A man who championed the American Labor Movement had died.
Edward M. Smith, 69, passed away with his family at his side on January 3.
He leaves behind his wife, Betty, and two children, Jordan and Matt.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 13 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.at Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Illinois. The funeral will follow at 3 p.m.
A celebration of life ceremony will be held in Washington DC at a later date.
He worked at the Laborers’ Union (LiUNA) and was chairman and CEO of Ullico, a labor-owned financial services firm.
Smith was born on September 9, 1954, in Cairo, Illinois to Connell F. Smith and Mary Jewel Smith.
He inherited his passion for the labor movement from his father, who served as the Laborers’ Local 773 Business Manager from 1942-1976, according to his obiturary.
Smith joined the union at 13 years old. He worked as a laborer not long after, and was elected Local 773 Business Manager by age of 21.
He was the first LiUNA member in the country to graduate from the National Labor College. He participated in the Harvard Trade Union Program. He attended classes with Harvard MBA students and debated case studies in labor history. Smith developed relationships with decision makers and government leaders.
He focused his efforts at LiUNA on using innovative strategies to protect labor rights.
Smith led 40 organizing drives during the 1970s and ‘80s with groups across southern Illinois. That included police, government workers, healthcare employees and highway workers. Thirty-nine of thepse drives were successful and boosted Local 773’s membership from 300 to 4,000.
Smith moved up through the ranks within LiUNA. He won election as Southern Illinois Laborers’ District Council Business Manager in 1985 and later became Chairman of the Central Laborers’ Pension Fund
He was appointed Midwest Regional Manager in 1994 and was elected as Vice President and Regional Manager of LiUNA. He also served as Assistant to the General President. The Midwest Region was expanded from three to 10 states during his tenure.
Smith served on the Democratic National Committee and was a delegate to many national conventions.
He pioneered regional Tri-Funds programs for contractor cooperation and worker protection. He also helped forge the National Alliance for Fair Contracting.
During his time as Vice President and Regional Manager he was appointed to the Illinois State Board of Investment and served as Chairman.
Smith joined Ullico in 2008. He assembled an experienced management team, fought to give them the resources they needed and worked hard to redouble the company’s commitment to the labor movement, according to his obituary.
The Ullico Infrastructure Fund is a pillar of the company’s five-year run of tremendous success and record profits. During Smith’s tenure, Ullico enhanced its insurance program for union leaders and benefit plan trustees, and grew its union-supporting commercial real estate financing fund. Ullico gave back to the community by donating millions of dollars each year to philanthropic causes. Smith was insistent that the company take care of its employees, according to his obituary. He built a culture that put people first. He maintained a personal touch—sending birthday cards each year to every employee.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be made to the Connell F. Smith Homer Brown Scholarship Fund, 5102 Ed Smith Way, Marion, IL 62959 and/or TLC (The Laborers’ Care) of Southern & Central Illinois, PO Box 3249, Carbondale, IL 62902.
Crain Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
