Owen Frederick Bieber

Bieber, Owen Frederick (1929– ), president of the United Automobile Workers (UAW). The UAW, founded as a labor union in 1935, has been tainted with struggles since its beginning. Bieber, elected in 1983, is the first UAW president not involved in the union's early disputes. He initiated successful compromises between UAW and automobile manufacturers. A progressive leader, Bieber emphasized job security over pay increases and leveraged UAW interests by encouraging numerous local strikes rather than a national walkout. Bieber became a director of the Chrysler Corporation in 1984.

See also: United Automobile Workers.