The ATU is sad to report the passing of retired International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin.
"On behalf of his more than 200,000 ATU brothers and sisters, we send our deepest condolences and prayers to the three daughters of retired International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin and their families," said ATU International President John Costa. "When Ellis became IEVP, he set out to bring in new members by advancing our Union's organizing initiatives. Under his leadership, more than 7,500 new members joined our ranks. Upon his retirement, Ellis said, 'When the labor movement gets in your blood, well, it never really leaves'. Ellis lived that."
The son of a coal miner, Franklin went to work on the assembly line in Detroit in 1946 after Navy service in the South Pacific during World War II. The following year Franklin came home to work in the coal mines of West Virginia. In 1953 he went to work for Greyhound Lines and helped organize ATU Local 1493-Charleston, WV, that same year.
Franklin's first Union position was "Dues Collector" and Job Steward. He rose through the ranks serving as Executive Board member, Secretary-Treasurer and Assistant Business Agent, and President and Business Agent from 1965-69. Franklin was also National Chairman of the ATU Greyhound Council from 1969-75.
In 1975, International President Dan Maroney tapped Franklin's expertise appointing him International Vice President. Franklin was elected to that post that same year. He served in that capacity dealing primarily with Greyhound issues until 1985 when he was appointed International Executive Vice President, serving alongside International President James La Sala. He was subsequently elected at the 48th Convention in Toronto and re-elected to that post from that time until his retirement this August 1993.
Franklin is survived by his three daughters, Debby Maule, Pam Lowman, Kim Webb, and their families.