After 29 years of dedicated service to the UWUA, Bob Houser officially retired in April. Most of his tenure was spent as the union’s organizing director, where his leadership left a lasting legacy.
Houser’s journey began straight out of high school, working as a certified welder for a natural gas contractor. He quickly became involved in union life, joining Local 409 and rising through the ranks to become a shop steward and, in 1985, local president. His passion for labor organizing took shape during his time at the George Meany Center, where he became the school’s first UWUA graduate with a bachelor’s degree in labor studies. While there, he played a key role in the early days of the AFL-CIO’s Organizing Institute, helping shape what would become a national movement.
In the mid-1990s, Houser collaborated with UWUA’s leadership to create the union’s first organizing department. In 1996, he joined the National union full time, leading organizing efforts that brought in 10,000 new members in the department’s first five years. His department also oversaw negotiations for first contracts and helped train and elevate new organizers like Valerie King and Rich Cossell, now National Representatives.
More recently, Houser lent his expertise to various regions, including Region V, and finished his career as the most senior member of the National staff. Reflecting on his career, he emphasizes the value of learning from history: “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. The answers for how to succeed are out there.”
Now retired, Houser plans to split his time between New Jersey and Florida, enjoying fishing, golf, and family life with his wife Joy, their four children, and eight grandchildren. He also intends to stay active in local labor efforts. As he steps away, Houser remains optimistic about UWUA’s continued focus on organizing and wishes the next generation much success.