8x10 B&W matte finish vintage photograph signed "To Jim Wiggins with best wishes I.W. Abel" in white ink. Very minor edge creasing and waviness, otherwise, in very good condition. (1908-1987) Iorwith Wilbur Abel was better known as I. W. Abel.He was an American labor leader. In 1936, Abel found work again at Timken Roller Bearing and, with the assistance of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC), he organized Steel Workers Local 1123. He remained a member of the local until his death. He proved an effective and strong negotiator and union president, and in one year alone, he led 42 wildcat strikes.Abel was an active participant in the Little Steel Strike in 1937. His skilled leadership during the strike brought him to the attention of national SWOC officers and staff.In 1937, Abel was hired by SWOC to head the national union's organizing staff. Abel became a protégé of Philip Murray, president of SWOC. When SWOC merged with the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers in 1942, to form the United Steel Workers of America (USWA), Abel was appointed director of the Canton District of the USWA and became a member of the executive council of the Ohio CIO Council.During World War II, Abel served on the National War Labor Board, representing the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).Abel was elected vice president of the AFL-CIO following his election and served on the federation's executive council. In 1968, he was elected president of the Industrial Union Department, AFL-CIO.During Abel's presidency, membership in the USWA rose by more than 500,000, as he engineered mergers with the International Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers in 1967; the United Stone and Allied Product Workers of America in 1971; and the International Union of District 50, Allied and Technical Workers of the United States and Canada in 1972.This lot came from the Jim Wiggins collection we purchased in July 2022. Jim Wiggins accumulated the most unique and valuable autograph collection over a period of 70-plus years. He obtained his collection either in person or by writing to persons of fame and notoriety. Comes with a full Letter of Authenticity from Todd Mueller Authentics.Comes with a full Letter of Authenticity from Todd Mueller Authentics.