Bricklayers Local 2
Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, William Jenoves moved to Toronto with his family at age 10, beginning an apprenticeship as a bricklayer three years later. After travelling to look for work, he returned to Toronto where he served as president of the bricklayers’ union Local 2 from 1906 to 1912. In 1921 he was chosen as business agent for the local, a position he held for the rest of his life. He was later elected president of the Toronto and District Trades and Labor Council and, in the union merger of 1956, became the president of the new Toronto and District Labour Council. He was on the first board of the United Way and was appointed to the Harbour Commission, the Parking Authority, and the CNE board. He was also a vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress. He helped to found the Building Trades Council and was president for several years.