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Herbert Zam

Herbert Zam (October 21, 1900 - January 14, 1992) was an American socialist activist and trade unionist.

Biography

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Zam was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and joined the Young People's Socialist League while in high school.[1] Zam became a follower of Jay Lovestone, joining the Communist Party (Opposition) in 1929 after Lovestone's expulsion from the Communist Party.[2] In 1935, Zam broke with the Lovestoneites and joined the Socialist Party.[3]

Within the Socialist Party, Zam was a member of the Clarity faction, which opposed collaboration with the American Labor Party.[4] He became the main editor of Socialist Review, the Party's official journal.[5] In 1936, following discussions with members of the Communist Party, Zam helped to merge a Socialist union with a Communist supporting labor union, resulting in the creation of the United Office and Professional Workers Union.[6] In the late 1930s, Zam left the Socialist Party.[7] Zam later worked for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, managing its Retirement Fund.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Feuer, Lewis S. (1969). The conflict of generations : The character and significance of student movements. New York: Basic Books. p. 425.
  2. ^ Chester, Eric Thomas (2004). True mission : Socialists and the Labor Party question in the U.S. Sterling, Va.: Pluto Press. p. 160. ISBN 9780745322155.
  3. ^ Alexander, Robert J. (1981). The right opposition : The Lovestoneites and the International Communist Opposition of the 1930's. Westport: Greenwood Press. p. 69.
  4. ^ Warren, Frank A. (1974). An Alternative Vision: The Socialist Party in the 1930's. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. p. 84. ISBN 0253305209.
  5. ^ Goldwater, Walter (1964). Radical Periodicals in America, 1890-1950. New Haven: Yale University Library. p. 39.
  6. ^ Egbert, Donald Drew; Persons, Stow, eds. (1952). Socialism and American Life. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 382.
  7. ^ Epstein, Melech (1959). The Jew and Communism: The story of early Communist victories and ultimate defeats in the Jewish community, U.S.A., 1919-1941. New York: Trade Union Sponsoring Committee. p. 204.
  8. ^ Robinson, Dwight Edwards (1949). Collective Bargaining and Market Control in the New York Coat and Suit Industry. New York: Columbia University Press. p. 80.