In Memoriam: Bill Doherty, AIFLD

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)William C. Doherty, 84, who directed the AFL-CIO’s outreach to trade unions in Latin America for 35 years, died Aug. 28, reports The Washington Post. Doherty was executive director of the American Institute for Free Labor Development (the Solidarity Center’s predecessor) under four AFL-CIO presidents, retiring in 1996. His work with the institute involved traveling to 129 countries over the course of his career and included assistance to exiled labor leaders, support for housing programs and participation in programs to fight racial discrimination. Much of his work was concentrated in Latin America. During World War II, Doherty was an aerial photographer in Europe with the Army Air Forces. After the war, he worked in Germany to help rebuild trade unions there. Before joining the American Institute for Free Labor Development, Doherty served on the staffs of other trade union organizations.
— Bart Barnes, The Washington Post; click here for the full obituary.