George Mink in the 1920’s

After George left the Navy he drove a cab in Philly and then became a maritime worker. While he was working on the ships he was active in the International Seamen's Union (ISU) and was appointed the union representative to the American Federation of Labor (AF of L ) Central Labor Council in Philadelphia.  After failed contract negotiations between the union and the shipping companies in May 1921, the ISU went on strike for 2 months.  The strike failed to give the workers any gains.  In fact, their wages were cut 25%.  George left the ISU and joined the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and headed for the west coast.  

George’s career as a union organizer is detailed in  “George Mink, the Maritime Workers Industrial Union, and the Comintern in America” * by Vernon Pedersen which was published online in 2010. 

Pedersen used George’s autobiography in the KGB archives and quotes Mink “While in Portland, Oregon I came closer to the Communist party there, the (Worker’s Party) and in [month illegible] 1921 I joined the Worker’s Party later the CPUSA. I became very active in the seamen’s fraction and worked within the IWW keeping in touch with Harrison George who was in charge of the Red International Committee. I kept going to sea making trips to Japan, China, etc.” 

George Mink at sea. He’s the one on the left.

By 1929, eight years later, George had risen up in the ranks in the Communist Party (CPUSA)  and formed the Marine Worker’s Industrial Union ( MWIU) which was a front for the Communist Party.  

George’s membership book for the Marine Workers Industrial Union ( MWIU)

The first page of George’s MWIU membership book (above) states that the union is part of the Red International of Labor Unions which is a communist attempt to infiltrate the American workforce.

George’s MWIU membership book, pages 2 & 3

The preamble of George’s MWIU membership book is aligned with George’s point of view ( which is aligned with the communist point of view) and rejects the AF of L in favor of more divisive action and separation from capitalism.  

On page 3, (on the right) you can see George’s role as National Chairman. He was an original charter member. According to Pederson, George grew the MWIU from an initial 24 members to 6000 members in 11 chapters.  

George ( front row center.) It’s not clear if all of these men are union organizers or workers, but it ‘s clear from George’s placement in the picture that he’s the leader. Also, notice his attire has changed. As George rose up within the communist party his attire became more polished.

Throughout the 1920’s George rose within the communist party as a union leader for communist factions in America.   In the next post, we’ll learn about George in the 30’s when he shifted careers and worked directly for Stalin.  

*The article written by Pederson is here as well.