A.L. “Mike” Monroe

General President Emeritus

A.L. “Mike” Monroe was born and raised in Alexandria, VA. In 1955, Monroe and his three brothers were initiated into Painters Local Union 890. Three years later, he was elected financial secretary of Local Union 890 and delegate to District Council 51. In 1960, Monroe was elected business representative of the District Council. In 1964, Monroe was appointed general representative to the Second District. In 1972, he was appointed general vice president of the Second District, where he served for 12 years. Monroe was elected general secretary-treasurer in 1984 and held that position until 1992.

The General Executive Board subsequently unanimously elected Monroe general president, and the union membership re-elected him in 1994. He announced his retirement in August 1998 after 38 years of dedicated service to IUPAT and was named general president emeritus. In his retirement, Monroe spent time with his family, including five children and many grandchildren.

On September 9, 2024, Brother Monroe passed away.

He was a man who gave his entire life to our union and was a true pioneer in the labor movement. He guided us through some of our most difficult times and led us into the future with a plan to make us who we are today. Monroe was a visionary and the father of full affiliation. He created our modern-day structure of being One Union, mentored many future leaders of our union, and truly believed in being One Family. He was always a tireless fighter for our members’ rights on the job and in the workplace, and he embodied what it meant to unite under One Fight.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Brother Monroe was a family man. His love for his wife, Betty, their five children, and their extended family was central to his life. Whether spending time at the racetrack, a pastime he and Betty cherished, or simply enjoying time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he found joy in the simplest moments. His family was the cornerstone of his life, just as he was a cornerstone of our union.

As we mourn his passing, let us also celebrate the incredible life he lived and the profound impact he had on each of us and the entire labor movement. His legacy will live on through the generations of IUPAT members whose lives he touched and whose futures he helped shape.

Mike Monroe leaves behind a union that is stronger, more united, and more committed to the cause of working people. It is our responsibility to carry forward his vision, values, and unwavering commitment to justice and equity for all.

Rest in power, brother. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy will forever guide us.