Clyde Johnson (1908-1994) was a lifelong labor organizer who worked within many different industries during his lifetime. Throughout his long career as an organizer, Johnson worked with students, iron and foundry workers, coal workers, sharecroppers, electrical workers, agricultural workers, and carpenters.

In 1955 Johnson moved from Washington, D.C. to Oakland, California where he joined Local 550 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCJA). He served as the business agent for UBCJA from 1960-1966 before joining the Institute of Industrial Relations at University of California, Berkeley in 1967. In his later years, Johnson devoted himself to telling the story of working class resistance and organizing struggles, including Millmen 550: A History of the Militant Years (1961-1966) of Local 550 United Brotherhood of Carpenters, which details his role as the union's business agent during the time period.

Johnson's book Organize or Die: Smash Boss Unionism--Build Union Power, Organize Two Million Carpenters and Woodworkers critized the national UBCJA body and President William Hutcheson, a conservative craft-unionist who was often at odds with local chapters, revoking the charters of those that he believe held Communist sympathies. As a Communist, Johnson fought for worker controlled unions and militant organizing strategies, such as strikes and lockouts. Due in part to his efforts, Local 550 became known for its focus on civil rights and trade union democracy. Clyde Johnson died on October 5, 1994.