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A study was conducted to examine personal and organizational factors that affect the rise to office of presidents of Canadian national unions. A model was developed based on the personal characteristics of the labor leaders and on the characteristics of the unions they headed. Completed questionnaires were received from 94 presidents of national unions. Results indicated that union size varied positively with ''time to become presidents.'' Thus, chief executives of large unions took 3.9 years longer to reach the top office than did chief executives of small unions. Also, education varied inversely with ''time to become president.'' An officer with a university degree took 5 years less to reach the presidency than someone with no formal education. Finally, ''percent of income from union office'' varied positively with ''time to become president.'' For example, when the union pays 100% of the salary, it takes about 3 1/2 years longer to reach the top office than when the union pays none of the salary.