WASHINGTON, DC (NOVEMBER 18, 2021) – Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) today released the following statement from President James Slevin regarding former National president, Donald Wightman.
“It’s with great sadness we share news of former UWUA president Donald Wightman’s passing. We offer our condolences to his family, friends and all who knew him.
“Don Wightman truly understood the fights our members and their families faced. He came from a working-class family in South Boston and started out in the conduit and cable division in the underground utility sector. He worked his way up through the union, leading Local 369 and eventually joined the National Union as vice president and president.
“He lead the Utility Workers Union of America during a period of great upheaval across the industry, during deregulation. He was ahead of the curve anticipating the impacts of deregulation including how it would impact utilities, our members and how it would erode the value of union jobs. During this time and throughout his tenure as president he fought tenaciously for our members.
“He will be remembered as a tough negotiator, a tireless advocate of working-class families and as someone who truly understood the fights our members faced.”
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Chartered in 1945, the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), AFL-CIO represents 50,000 active members employed in America’s utility sectors including the electric, gas, water, and related professional and service industries. James Slevin is UWUA’s National President. For more information visit https://uwua.net.