US Presidential Cabinet Secretary. He served as the 15th United States Secretary of Labor during the administration of President Gerald R. Ford from 1976 until 1977. He attended Georgia Military College and held the occupation of machinist at a naval shipyard in Brunswick, Georgia, prior to enlisting with the United States Navy during World War II. During this period, he served as an underwater welder aboard a repair ship in the Pacific Theater. Following his return home, he briefly studied at Mercer University, while working as a maintenance machinist. Gradually, Usery made a name for himself as a union mediator and in 1961, he was named to the President's Missile Sites Labor Commission at Cape Canaveral. After Richard Nixon became president, he appointed Usery to serve as Assistant Secretary of Labor-Management Relations. He went on to serve as Director of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service from 1973 until 1976. He succeeded John T. Dunlop as Secretary of Labor and during his tenure, he was a figure in negotiations with the Teamsters when they went out on strike against the auto companies in 1976. After leaving the government, he founded Bill Usery Associates, Inc. which provided consulting in regards to employer and employee relationships.
US Presidential Cabinet Secretary. He served as the 15th United States Secretary of Labor during the administration of President Gerald R. Ford from 1976 until 1977. He attended Georgia Military College and held the occupation of machinist at a naval shipyard in Brunswick, Georgia, prior to enlisting with the United States Navy during World War II. During this period, he served as an underwater welder aboard a repair ship in the Pacific Theater. Following his return home, he briefly studied at Mercer University, while working as a maintenance machinist. Gradually, Usery made a name for himself as a union mediator and in 1961, he was named to the President's Missile Sites Labor Commission at Cape Canaveral. After Richard Nixon became president, he appointed Usery to serve as Assistant Secretary of Labor-Management Relations. He went on to serve as Director of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service from 1973 until 1976. He succeeded John T. Dunlop as Secretary of Labor and during his tenure, he was a figure in negotiations with the Teamsters when they went out on strike against the auto companies in 1976. After leaving the government, he founded Bill Usery Associates, Inc. which provided consulting in regards to employer and employee relationships.
Bio by: C.S.
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
See more Usery memorials in:
Advertisement
