Willie Bioff Theatrical Unions, Walt Disney Strikers, and Film Industry Extortion

Willie Bioff was head of the Theatrical Workers Union which had a membership of 40,000-46,000 in 1941. My e-book looks at his negotiations with film industry titans like Walt and Roy Disney and Nicholas M. Schenck. A hard negotiator, Bioff also came under scrutiny for tax evasion. In May 1941 he was granted a trial continuance during his indictment on delinquent taxes amounting to $85,000. His lawyers successfully argued that Bioff's presence was crucial to film production, especially to U.S. defense interests. His attorneys also argued that their client was the only person who could prevent a strike of film technicians.