Robert McManus

Known as “Bob the Builder” for his motivated efforts to advance the ideals of trade unionism, Bob’s devotion to the cause of Labor began while at The Citadel. Bob met a woman who described being beaten and left for dead as a teen by corporate thugs during her struggle for better working conditions in the South Carolina textile mills.  The amazing story told by this courageous woman continues to drive Bob’s passion to improve the plight of the working professionals in his craft and secure a working environment for all workers that is safe, with security, and dignity. After gaining his Citadel degree in Business Administration, Bob served in the US Army as a Chemical officer and Company Commander in peacetime and at war, earning the Southeast Asia Service Ribbon with both oak leaf clusters among other service awards.

He served the cause of labor first as a member of the IBEW, and now as a three-term officer for Local 900 of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees in Huntsville, Alabama. An outspoken advocate for safety in the workplace, he is proud to serve as Vice President of the labor council and stand in solidarity with the other officers and delegates of the council to amplify the voice of the working people of North Alabama.