A true trade unionist was lost late in June when James M. Bagwell age 79 from Florissant, MO passed away. Bagwell was a 61 year member of the IAM.
âJim Bagwell will be remembered as an outstanding labor leader and friend to all workers,â said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Philip J. Gruber.
Jim was elected as Directing Business Representative of IAM District 9 in Bridgeton, MO and served on the prestigious IAM Law Committee. He was chairman of that committee at the 1992 IAM Grand Lodge Convention.
Jim became a full time organizer at District 9 in 1967, rose to the position of Business Representative and then was promoted to Assistant Director in 1985.
Bagwell began his career at Chrome Craft in St. Louis, MO where he rose through the leadership ranks.
Jim Bagwell served in many other union positions and offices over the years. He was a delegate to IAM District 9 and a District 9 Executive Board member, was a delegate to the Illinois State Council of Machinists, Vice President of the Missouri State Council of Machinists and Midwest States Conference of Machinists. In addition, Bagwell was a Trustee and member of the Constitution Committee for the Greater St. Louis Labor Council. He was also a Missouri State AFL-CIO Executive Board member.