Labor: The Tired Old Guard

Over the years, American labor leaders have pounded tables and called out the pickets to win such benefits as early retirement. But retire themselves? Not if they can help it. More than any other segment of the economy, U.S. labor is still run by an old guard that stubbornly refuses to hand over responsibility and power to younger men.

Only three of the ten largest unions impose compulsory retirement on their officials. And labor leaders are a durable lot: President Joseph Moreschi of the Hod Carriers is 80, domineering David Dubinsky of the Ladies' Garment Workers 73, Jacob Potofsky of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers 70, and A. Philip Randolph of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters 75.

A.F.L.-C.I.O. President George Meany, 70, is backed up by 28 other executive council members, whose average age is 63½ — making them many years the senior of the U.S. Cabinet (average age: 51) and the great majority of U.S. corporation chiefs. Last week, when the council gathered in Bal Harbour, Fla. for its midwinter meeting, younger labor chiefs finally pressed Meany to retire the oldsters gracefully. Despite official denials, at least five of the older council members —all of whom no longer even head the unions they represent—are likely to be eased off the council by year's end.

Some individual union leaders are also corning under increasing attack from their own rank and file. Last year insurgents deposed the presidents of three unions—the International Longshoremen's Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and the State, County and Municipal Employees. Rebels also seriously challenged six other union chiefs, including the International Union of Electrical Workers' eccentric James B. Carey; critics within the union noted that, among his many other gestures that needlessly irritated management, Carey sent Monopoly sets to General Electric executives in jail for price fixing.

For all the insurrections, most unions continue to be run as tight little clubs by entrenched leaders who keep a close rein through patronage and control of the union newspaper. "They just don't seem to groom heirs or successors," says Presidential Labor Mediator David L. Cole. Often a prospective new leader is as old as the man he may replace. Among the major leaders and their likely successors:

∙INTERNATIONAL MACHINISTS: President Al Hayes, 65, retires in June, will be succeeded by Vice President P. L. ("Roy") Siemiller, 60.

∙BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS: Gordon Freeman is 69, and so is his heir apparent Joe Keenan.

∙TEAMSTERS: Jimmy Hoffa, 52, is relatively young but much indicted, and if all his appeals fail, he may have to step aside for Einar Mohn, 59, the union's West Coast vice president.

∙UNITED CARPENTERS: Maurice Hutcheson, 67, who succeeded his father in the job, might be followed by Finley Allen, 56.

∙UNITED MINE WORKERS: Tony Boyle, 57, has a possible successor in Ray Lewis, 64, John L.'s youngest brother.

∙UNITED AUTO WORKERS: Walter Reuther, 57, has two capable subalterns: intellectual Leonard Woodcock, 54, chief of the union's G.M. bargaining unit, and British-born Douglas Fraser, 47, an affable bargainer who deals with Chrysler and American Motors.