# Herbert Zam

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{{Short description|American socialist activist and trade unionist (1900–1992)}}
'''Herbert Zam''' (October 21, 1900 – January 14, 1992) was an American socialist activist and trade unionist.
== Biography ==
Zam was born on the [Lower East Side](/source/Lower_East_Side) of Manhattan, and joined the [Young People's Socialist League](/source/Young_People's_Socialist_League_(1907)) while in high school.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Feuer |first=Lewis S. |title=The conflict of generations : The character and significance of student movements |date=1969 |publisher=Basic Books |location=New York |pages=425}}</ref> Zam became a follower of [Jay Lovestone](/source/Jay_Lovestone), joining the [Communist Party (Opposition)](/source/Communist_Party_(Opposition)) in 1929 after Lovestone's expulsion from the Communist Party.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chester |first=Eric Thomas |title=True mission : Socialists and the Labor Party question in the U.S. |date=2004 |publisher=Pluto Press |isbn=9780745322155 |location=Sterling, Va. |pages=160}}</ref> In 1935, Zam broke with the Lovestoneites and joined the [Socialist Party](/source/Socialist_Party_of_America).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Alexander |first=Robert J. |title=The right opposition : The Lovestoneites and the International Communist Opposition of the 1930's |date=1981 |publisher=Greenwood Press |location=Westport |pages=69}}</ref> 

Within the Socialist Party, Zam was a member of the Clarity faction, which opposed collaboration with the [American Labor Party](/source/American_Labor_Party).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Warren |first=Frank A. |title=An Alternative Vision: The Socialist Party in the 1930's |date=1974 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=0253305209 |location=Bloomington |pages=84}}</ref> He became the main editor of ''Socialist Review'', the Party's official journal.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Goldwater |first=Walter |title=Radical Periodicals in America, 1890-1950 |publisher=Yale University Library |year=1964 |location=New Haven |pages=39}}</ref> In 1936, following discussions with members of the [Communist Party](/source/Communist_Party_USA), Zam helped to merge a Socialist union with a Communist supporting labor union, resulting in the creation of the United Office and Professional Workers Union.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Socialism and American Life |date=1952 |publisher=Princeton University Press |editor-last=Egbert |editor-first=Donald Drew |location=Princeton, NJ |pages=382 |editor-last2=Persons |editor-first2=Stow}}</ref> In the late 1930s, Zam left the Socialist Party.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Epstein |first=Melech |title=The Jew and Communism: The story of early Communist victories and ultimate defeats in the Jewish community, U.S.A., 1919-1941 |date=1959 |publisher=Trade Union Sponsoring Committee |location=New York |pages=204}}</ref> Zam later worked for the [International Ladies Garment Workers Union](/source/International_Ladies_Garment_Workers_Union), managing its Retirement Fund.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Robinson |first=Dwight Edwards |title=Collective Bargaining and Market Control in the New York Coat and Suit Industry |date=1949 |publisher=Columbia University Press |location=New York |pages=80}}</ref>

== References ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Zam, Herbert}}
Category:1900 births
Category:1992 deaths
Category:Socialist Party of America politicians from New York (state)
Category:20th-century American trade unionists

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