Roy Lee Williams

Williams, Roy Lee (1915–89), U.S. labor leader, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 1981–83. A truckdriver, Williams became active in the Teamsters organization as business agent in Wichita, Kans. (1948), president of Joint Council 56 (1953–81), and director of the Central Conference (1976). He was an effective bargainer for the membership, but his connections with organized crime forced his resignation. Williams was indicted for criminal offenses 4 times, and finally convicted (1982) for attempted bribery of a U.S. senator. His 55-year prison sentence was reduced to 10 years, of which he served 3 years (1985–88) before being released because of poor health and his willingness to testify in federal crime cases.

See also: Teamsters Union; Unions, labor.