Edward J. Carlough; Influential Labor Leader Led Sheet Metal Workers Union

Edward J. Carlough, who led the Sheet Metal Workers International Assn. for more than two decades and became one of labor’s most influential leaders, has died. He was 62.

Carlough died Wednesday while being treated for cancer in New Bern, N.C.

A resident of the Washington suburb of Rockville, Md., Carlough was a union member for 38 years. He served in its international offices as research director and director of organizing. He retired in 1993 after 23 years as general president.

The New York City native was instrumental in strengthening pension, health and training benefits for members. He also was a member of the general board of the AFL-CIO, vice president of the AFL-CIO building and construction trades department and a member of the executive boards of the AFL-CIO’s maritime trades and metal trades departments.

American University in Washington established the Edward J. Carlough chair in international labor relations in his honor in 1992.