Terre Haute in Vigo County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Charles Luna
1906 - - - - - 1992
President, Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen
1963 - 1969
President, United Transportation Union
1969 - 1972
Contributing six decades to the Rail Labor Movement, Charles Luna began working as a Yard Switchman in 1928 on the AT&SF Railroad, and within a year was elected Local Chairman. He was elected Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen Vice President in 1954, and President of the BRT in 1963, and became President of the newly formed United Transportation Union in 1969. He was a Labor Spokesman respected both by workers and management.
Elected Vice President and member of the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO in 1969, he served on Amtrakk’s Board of Directors under Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and Bush.
As architect of the merger that created the UTU by uniting the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen, and Switchmen’s Union of North America, Charles Luna created in modern times an industrial union in the mold of Debs’ ARU.
Erected 1994 by United Transportation Union (G. Thomas DuBose, International President).
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #37 Richard M. Nixon, the Former U.S. Presidents: #38 Gerald R. Ford, Jr., the Former U.S. Presidents: #40 Ronald Reagan, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #41 George H.W. Bush series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 39° 28.317′ N, 87° 24.314′ W. Marker is in Terre Haute, Indiana, in Vigo County. Marker can be reached from North 8th Street south of Spruce Street. Located in back-yard of Eugene Debs home (museum). Can be reached by a back access drive from Sycamore Street - west of North 9th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: (back yard of) 451 North 8th Street, Terre Haute IN 47801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William D. "Big Bill" Haywood (here, next to this marker); Sidney Hillman (here, next to this marker); Mother Jones (here, next to this marker); Patrick E. Gorman (here, next to this marker); Philip Murray (here, next to this marker); Michael J. Quill (here, next to this marker); Samuel Gompers (here, next to this marker); Walter Philip Reuther (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Terre Haute.
Also see . . .
Charles Luna. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on November 28, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,094 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 18, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 4. submitted on November 26, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.