Luigi Antonini

Who was Luigi Antonini?

Luigi Rocco Antonini (1883-1968), was a notable labor leader and emerged as one of the most outstanding labor leaders of the first half of the 20th Century. Antonini served as the First Vice President of the ILGWU from 1936 - 1967. He was the General Secretary of the Local 89, Italian Dressmakers Union, and President of the Italian American Labor Council. As a labor leader Antonini affected New York City, national, and international US politics. Whether it was assisting in the election of New York City's first Italian American Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, to assisting Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his cabinet on policy towards Italy during World War II and post war relief and rebuilding of Italy after the war. Eloquent, courageous and idealistic he symbolized faith in freedom. Luigi was a big warm man, who loved children, animals, books, Italian Opera and good cuisine. With a melodious, almost operatic voice he quoted the Old Testament and Dante to appeal equally to Jewish and Italian members of unions. His love for animals lead him to keep a private "zoo" at his home in Yonkers. He had wild birds and a lion cub. With his flowing bowtie and mane of white hair he looked more like an opera singer that a labor leader. The Early Years Luigi Antonini was born in Italy in the town of Vallata Irpina, province of Avellino, Sept 11, 1883. His father was "Maestro" Pietro Valeriano Antonini born, 1848 in Gaggiano (Milan). He was a poet and studied at the Giuseppe Verdi Music Conservatory in Milan, He played the organ in The Duomo of Milan. He went to southern Italy (Avellino) as a schoolteacher and died in 1928 in the Bronx NY. His mother Maria Francesca Netta was born in 1853 at Valletta Irpina, (AV). She was the daughter of local nobility. She died in 1892 in Valmadrera, Como. He had six brothers and sisters two of who immigrated to New York with him, (Paolo, and Francesco). One sister, (Savina) remained in Italy and became Baronessa di San Sossio, (AV). His great uncle was General Giaccomo Antonini served with Napoleon's army in Poland. He was active in the 1848 Risorgimento movement in Italy. He commanded forces in battle in Milan and Venice and garrisoned Sicily. He lost his arm to a cannon in the battle for Milan. It is preserved in a Torino Museum today. In 1892 at the death of his mother his father moved the family back to Lombardia. Luigi had his education at the high school in Tortona, (Piedmont). From 1902-1906 he served in the Italian army in the 11th Infantry as a top sergeant and expert fencer. To The United States In 1908 he immigrated to New York City with his brother Paolo. They settled in the then Italian neighborhood of the 4th ward, (Greenwich Village) leaving his fiance' Jennie Costanza a dressmaker. Two years later he sent for her and they were married. For a couple of years Luigi took various jobs from cigar roller to piano tuner. Then he took a job as a dress presser. He immediately became involved in the issues concerning the treatment of garment workers where he worked. Early Labor Work He slowly emerged as one, of the most dynamic and active leaders of working class emerging as a speaker in the famous waistmakers' general strike of 1913 in New York City. Within a few years he devoted his time to organizing Italian garment workers. He joined the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) in 1913, and was elected to the executive board of Local 25 the following year. In 1916 he became the editor of the magazine L'Operaia, where he urged with his writing as well and speeches for the Italian garment workers to organize. It is mainly to his credit that in 1919 the Italian Dress and Waist makers' Union, Italian Dressmakers Local 89 was founded, (the number 89 refers to year of the French revolution). It became the largest local in the I.L.G.W.U. A Spokesman for Labor He was a great orator to rally Italian Americans in behalf of unions. In the twenties he rose to become a spokesman for...