 Throughout World War II and after, the United Association made considerable gains in membership and prestige.Between 1940 and 1954 membership surged from 60,000 to 240,000 with veterans entering the skilled craftsmen field.United Association member George Meany was elected in 1952 to be president of the newly formed AFL-CIO and was to provide a shaping force in the American labor movement until his death in 1980.