Born to a working class family in Hardwick, Ga., William J. Usery Jr. (b. Dec. 21, 1923) cites his mother's instruction to follow the Golden Rule as the driving force behind his desire to improve labor conditions. A World War II veteran, his career grows through his involvement in the International Association of Machinists. He eventually becomes the union representative on the president's Missile Sites Labor Commission. Appointed as assistant secretary of labor for labor-management relations by President Nixon, Usery is instrumental as a mediator. He also helps draft and implement key collective bargaining legislation. After a short tenure at the AFL-CIO, Usery briefly serves as secretary of labor during the final months of the Ford Administration. He then returns to the private sector, mediating a number of notable labor disputes.