Miller, Marvin

Miller, Marvin (Julian) (1917–  ) economist, labor leader; born in New York City. His father helped to organize fellow employees in retail stores where he worked and young Marvin grew up as a Dodger fan before taking his B.S. degree in economics from Miami University (Ohio) (1938). During World War II he was an economist and disputes hearing officer for the Wage Stabilization Board. After working for the International Association of Machinists (1947–50) he went to Pittsburgh to work for the United Steel Workers of America (1950–66), where he gained a national reputation for his intelligent negotiations between labor and management. In 1966 he was chosen executive director of the somewhat dormant Major Leagues Baseball Players' Association; with the club owners reluctantly going along, he set up collective bargaining procedures, helped to establish free agency and arbitration, and greatly increased salaries and pensions for the players. In 1972 he directed the first general strike in baseball history (resulting in 86 canceled games) and again in 1981 he led a players' strike that lasted 59 days (713 games canceled). He retired from the post in 1983, having led baseball players through the most expansive period in the history of the game.