The historic UE Solidarity Mural—once the centerpiece of the United Electrical
Workers’ Chicago hall—is nearing full restoration, according to union leaders and the original artists.
Created in 1974 by John Pittman Weber and Jose Guerrero, the mural -- long been associated with UE’s history and its tradition of militant, democratic unionism -- depicts scenes of worker struggle and solidarity.
When UE sold its longtime Chicago headquarters, conservation experts removed major sections of the artwork and mounted them on canvas for preservation and future installation in the CTU Building in Chicago and the UE Hall in Erie, Pennsylvania. Some sections could not be salvaged. Weber, now in his 80s, has agreed to recreate the missing panels. “When UE sold the old hall, I was afraid that would be the end of it,” Weber said. “But thanks to you, portions were saved and are now almost ready to travel to their new homes.”
Retired UE General President Carl Rosen said the conservation work is nearly complete, with restored sections expected to be installed soon. In a recent email, Rosen wrote that the union is seeking to raise $10,000 to finish the project. Click here for details and/or to contribute.