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Oregon Labor Oral History Program
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Oral history interview with Jamie G. Partridge

This oral history interview with Jamie G. Partridge was conducted by Stephanie Vallance in thirty sessions from February 7, 2020, to April 23, 2021. The interview was conducted as part of the Oregon Labor Oral History Program, which collects oral histories of individuals who have advocated for working people of Oregon, including public figures, union members, and workers. Sessions 1 through 4 were conducted at Partridge's home in Portland, Oregon. The remaining sessions were conducted using Zoom video conferencing software due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In sessions 1 through 5, Partridge discusses his early life and the development of his political beliefs during the 1960s and 1970s, including his experiences during the 1967 "Summer of Love" in San Francisco, California, his involvement with the Black Panthers, and his friendship with Portland police officer Tom Potter.

In sessions 6 through 8, Partridge discusses his involvement in the Freedom Socialist Party, the co-parenting arrangement he entered with a former student, and his involvement with the Central American Solidarity Committee in the 1980s. He also begins to discuss campaigning for Jesse Jackson.

In sessions 9 through 15, Partridge discusses his involvement in the Rainbow Coalition, campaigning for Jesse Jackson, and his involvement in Jobs with Justice. He also talks about his career as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.

In sessions 16 though 19, Partridge discusses his career as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and his involvement with the postal workers union.

In sessions 20 through 24, Partridge discusses his involvement in Jobs with Justice. He talks about the 2006 Great American Boycott, and about his radio show on the Portland station KBOO.

In sessions 25 through 30, Partridge talks about his involvement in the postal workers union after his retirement in 2011, discusses his involvement with the Democratic Socialists of America, and reflects on the oral history experience.

Partridge, Jamie G. (James Gilbert), 1949-

Oral history interview with Jean A. Eilers

This oral history interview with Jean Eilers was conducted by Carolyn Matthews from August 10 to December 4, 2011. The interview was conducted as part of the Oregon Labor Oral History Program, which collects oral histories of individuals who have advocated for working people of Oregon, including public figures, union members, and workers. The interview was conducted in eight sessions. Robert Byrne and Michela Byrne were also interviewed in session eight. Session 5 and portions of session 7 are restricted until 2032.

In the first interview session, conducted on August 10, 2011, Eilers discusses her family background and early life in Portland, Oregon. She talks about her recreational activities, about the neighborhoods she lived in, and about her education at Madeleine Catholic School. She also looks at family photographs and talks about them. She then speaks about joining a convent in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, and teaching at Catholic schools. She also talks about her relationship with her family and describes the changes that came out of Vatican II. She discusses her early involvement with labor organizing in California with the United Farm Workers.

In the second interview session, conducted on August 17, 2011, Eilers revisits the topic of her family background and early life in Portland, Oregon. She talks about her college education while living in Los Angeles, California. She also revisits the topic of the changes to the Catholic Church that came out of Vatican II. She speaks at length about her early involvement with labor organizing in California with the United Farm Workers, including working with Cesar Chavez. She talks about her reasons for leaving the convent in 1981, and about her marriage to Robert Byrne.

In the third interview session, conducted on October 19, 2011, Eilers continues to discuss her work with the United Farm Workers, including working with Cesar Chavez, and her reasons for leaving the movement. She speaks about her life after leaving the convent in 1981, including working for AFSCME. She then discusses working for other unions, including OPEU Local 503 and SEIU Local 49. She also talks about balancing her career and child care. She then talks about serving as the state director of the AFL-CIO and discusses Jobs with Justice.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on November 2, 2011, Eilers continues to discuss serving as the state director of the AFL-CIO, including protests the union was involved with, particularly regarding the Gulf War and the World Trade Organization. She talks about people and organizations that she worked with while with the AFL-CIO, including Father Tobin and Occupy Portland. She speaks about union negotiations at Kaiser Permanente, Xerox, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. She then briefly talks about her work for SEIU Local 49 with employees of Providence Hospital.

In the fifth interview session, conducted on November 9, 2011, Eilers speaks at length about her involvement with the campaign to unionize the employees of Providence hospitals with SEIU Local 49, and talks about the failure of that campaign. She also talks about the Occupy Portland movement; about capitalism and Catholicism in health care; and about the relationship between labor and the press.

In the sixth interview session, conducted on November 16, 2011, Eilers discusses her involvement with the Jobs with Justice Faith Labor Committee, particularly the annual breakfast. She also talks about Father Bob Krueger of St. Andrew's Church. She speaks about the role of women in the Catholic Church and in labor unions; revisits the topic of Vatican II; and talks about the SEIU. She talks about the careers of her husband, Robert Byrne, and her daughter, Michela Byrne. The sound quality of this interview session is poor.

In the seventh interview session, conducted on November 30, 2011, Eilers reads from and talks about a brief autobiographical essay. She speaks about the importance of unions and revisits the topic of her work with SEIU Local 49 to unionize employees of Providence hospitals. She talks about her early life in Portland and discusses how the city changed; about F. Leo Smith; and about her involvement with the Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good. She also talks again about Occupy Portland.

In the eighth and final interview session, conducted on December 4, 2011, Eilers' daughter, Michela Byrne, discusses her early life as the daughter of a priest and a nun who were labor activists; her education; and her career as a teacher. Eilers' husband, Robert Byrne, discusses his involvement in the labor movement, and talks about leaving the priesthood. Eilers also discusses balancing her career and raising a family.

Eilers, Jean A. (Jean Anne), 1940-

Oral history interview with Margaret Butler

This oral history interview with Margaret Butler was conducted by Madeline Bisgyer at Butler's home from June 4 to August 17, 2018. The interview was conducted as part of the Oregon Labor Oral History Program, which collects oral histories of individuals who have advocated for working people of Oregon, including public figures, union members, and workers. The interview was conducted in eight sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on June 4, 2018, Butler discusses her family background and early life in Portland, Oregon, including her mother as a role model, her relationship with her twin sister, Gillian, and her family's political views. She talks about her experiences at Lewis & Clark College, including life in the dorms and studying history. She speaks about how she got involved in labor organizing while working at a library, and talks about the people she worked with. She also describes studying abroad in Kenya and how her experiences there affected her political beliefs. She discusses her involvement in other organizations, including a tenants union, and talks about working for Pacific Northwest Bell after college. She looks at photographs and talks about them.

In the second interview session, conducted on June 11, 2018, Butler continues to discuss working as a telephone operator, including her job duties, people she worked with, and the break-up of the Pacific Bell telephone company. She discusses her involvement with the Communications Workers of America Local 7901, participating in a strike in 1983, and working with CWA National Organizing Director Larry Cohen. She speaks at length about her involvement with the CWA, including her election as vice president of the union in 1990. She also talks about her work to form the Portland coalition of Jobs with Justice, and about her relationship with Rich Peppers.

In the third interview session, conducted on June 26, 2018, Butler continues to discuss her involvement with the CWA and her service as vice president of the union. She speaks further about her work to form the Portland coalition of Jobs with Justice, and describes several union organizing campaigns she worked on through JwJ during the 1990s, including a living wage campaign and supporting striking United Food and Commercial Workers members. She talks about her marriage to Rich Peppers, and about balancing home life and their careers.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on July 5, 2018, Butler continues to discuss her work with Jobs with Justice and talks about her service as executive director. She looks at photographs of her union organizing activities and talks about them. She describes several actions of JwJ during the 1990s, including supporting striking Kaiser employees, lobbying for corporate tax reforms, and a living wage campaign. She talks about the work of the Portland Workers Rights Board, particularly the campaign to organize workers at Powell's Books. She reflects on JwJ's accomplishments during her time as executive director, and talks about conflicts with other organizations.

In the fifth interview session, conducted on July 10, 2018, Butler looks at and talks about photographs from several JwJ actions, including at Powell's Books, at the Parry Center, and at Providence hospital. She discusses the work of JwJ after the 2008 financial crisis, talks about photographs of those activities, and discusses JwJ's work on immigrant rights. She describes their fundraising Grinch parties, which are now called Scrooge parties, talks about conflicts between labor organizations, and shares her reasons for retiring in 2013. She talks about conflicts within JwJ after she left, and shares her thoughts about the future of the labor movement.

In the sixth interview session, conducted on July 19, 2018, Butler speaks further about her retirement from JwJ, and speaks at length about her work as a contractor with the American Association of University Professors. She talks about the history and mission of the AAUP, about the people she worked with, and about AAUP by-laws and policies. She also talks about organizing AAUP chapters, particularly at Portland State University. She speaks about becoming AAUP's executive director, and shares her reasons for leaving the AAUP.

In the seventh interview session, conducted on July 31, 2018, Butler discusses her retirement from the AAUP. She then talks about her activities since leaving the AAUP and about her plans for the future. She talks about her anti-racism work, reflects on her accomplishments during her career in labor organizing, and talks about the challenges she faced in her work. She also describes her idea of an "ideal" union, and talks about recent labor organizing efforts in Oregon.

In the eighth and final interview session, conducted on August 17, 2018, Rich Peppers, Jamie Partridge, and Lorene Scheer participated along with Butler. They each talk about their labor organizing backgrounds. They have a conversation about their work together as labor organizers with Jobs with Justice, describe several JwJ actions, and talk about lobbying the Oregon Legislature. They close the discussion by talking about JwJ's work related to civil rights, and about the future of the labor movement.

Butler, Margaret (labor leader)

Oral history interview with Michael Gutwig

This oral history interview with Michael Gutwig was conducted by James Louderman from May 11 to July 14, 2001, as part of the Oregon Labor Oral History Program, which collects oral histories of individuals who have advocated for working people of Oregon, including public figures, union members, and workers. The interview was conducted in five sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on May 11, 2011, Gutwig discusses his family background and early life in the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, including his father's career as a drywall finisher and union involvement in Painters Local 10. He talks about his early journalism career, including his experiences working for his high school newspaper as a reporter and editor; and job shadowing with Gene Klare of the Oregon Labor Press, now the Northwest Labor Press.

In the second interview session, conducted on May 18, 2011, Gutwig continues to discuss his family background and early life in the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. He talks about his family's political and religious beliefs; taking guitar lessons; and meeting his future wife, Lori Clark, in high school. He then talks about studying journalism at Mount Hood Community College, including working at the college newspaper and playing baseball. He speaks at length about his relationship with Lori Clark. He discusses his activities after college and shares his memories of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.

In the third interview session, conducted on June 1, 2011, Gutwig continues to share his memories of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. He talks about his experience as a journeyman drywall finisher. He then discusses working as sports editor for the Central Oregonian newspaper. He talks about life in Prineville, describes the process of publishing a newspaper in the 1980s, and talks about covering high school sports and rodeos. He speaks about selling ad space for the paper, raising a family in Prineville, and returning to Portland to work for the Northwest Labor Press in 1986. He describes the interview process for the job of managing editor of the Northwest Labor Press.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on June 30, 2011, Gutwig continues to describe the interview process for the job of managing editor of the Northwest Labor Press. He then talks about his career as managing editor of the newspaper, including how the paper operated and working with Gene Klare. He describes the changes he made to the production of the paper, particularly the introduction of desktop publishing. He also shares the history of the Northwest Labor Press. He talks about his relationship with Portland labor leaders, about the lack of coverage about labor issues in the mainstream press, and about how working at the Northwest Labor Press affected his political beliefs. He discusses the paper's distribution, speculates about the future of the paper, and talks about labor in politics. He also talks about Barbara Roberts.

In the fifth and final interview session, conducted on July 14, 2011, Gutwig speaks at length about the effects of NAFTA, of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and of changes to the National Labor Relations Board on labor unions. He also talks about the relationship between labor and the Democratic Party, particularly with President Barack Obama. He discusses operating the Northwest Labor Press at the time of the interview in 2011 and talks about his staff, including Don McIntosh. He talks about labor union membership, about the benefits of collective bargaining, and about the attacks on unions from conservative politicians. He closes the interview by discussing the target audience of the Northwest Labor Press, talking about the future of the paper, and sharing some of the things he learned over his years reporting on labor issues.

Gutwig, Michael, 1956-

Oral history interview with Scott Teitsworth

This oral history interview with Scott Teitsworth was conducted by Jim Strassmaier from November 9, 2018, to January 3, 2019. The interview was conducted as part of the Oregon Labor Oral History Program, which collects oral histories of individuals who have advocated for working people of Oregon, and part of a series of interviews with firefighters. The interview was conducted in four sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on November 9, 2018, Teitsworth speaks at length about his family background, and talks about his early life in New Jersey. He discusses his relationship with his family, his political beliefs, and his education. He describes a trip to Europe in 1969; talks about his experiences with LSD and other drugs; and shares his thoughts on citizenship.

In the second interview session, conducted on November 15, 2018, Teitsworth speaks further about his family background and about his relationship with his family. He talks about his experience at Stanford University in 1970. He speaks again about his experiences with LSD and other drugs, and speaks at length about how those experiences influenced his spiritual and political beliefs, particularly regarding the Vietnam War and Indian philosophy. He also talks about his marriage to Deborah Buchanan. He speaks about his association with Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati and about his work on the guru's books. He also talks about the life of Narayana Guru, and speaks at length about his Hinduism and about the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

In the third interview session, conducted on November 22, 2018, Teitsworth continues to discuss his and Deborah Buchanan's association with Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati. He then speaks about his career as a firefighter with the Portland Fire Bureau and with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. He talks about his experience of being fired from the Portland Fire Bureau, describes some of the rescues he was involved in, and talks about the dangers of the job. He discusses life in a firehouse, compares the medical services provided by firefighters to those of private ambulance companies, and talks about dealing with people in distress. He speaks about the firefighters union, about firefighter pay and benefits, and about working with his fellow firefighters. He talks about his love of music and playing piano.

In the fourth and final interview session, conducted on January 3, 2019, Teitsworth describes the fire that led him to leave firefighting. He also talks about women joining the firefighting force. He talks about the death of Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati and about his transition from a student of Indian philosophy to a teacher. He also shares his thoughts about the September 11, 2001, attacks and aftermath. He speaks at length about his work on his books about the Bhagavad Gita, about his writings on the labors of Hercules, and about teaching classes on the Bhagavad Gita. He describes the effect accusations of child abuse had on his life, and reads from his life horoscope and discusses its accuracy. He closes the interview by talking about his inspiration for a recent talk, and about his children, their families, and their careers.

Teitsworth, Scott

Oral history interview with Timothy J. Gauthier

This oral history interview with Timothy J. Gauthier was conducted by Jim Strassmaier and recorded on video by Michael O'Rourke in the offices of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) in Portland, Oregon, on September 24, 2008. The interview was conducted as part of the Oregon Labor Oral History Program, which collects oral histories of individuals who have advocated for working people of Oregon.

In this interview, Gauthier discusses his family background and early life in Santa Barbara, California, including his memories of the anti-war protests during the 1960s, surfing, and his family's political and religious beliefs. He talks about his experience at Santa Barbara City College and at Southern Utah State College (now Southern Utah University). He discusses working for the NECA, including his job duties of working with local union chapters and conducting labor negotiations. He also talks about working with the IBEW. He describes the benefits the NECA provides to its members. He speaks about coming to Portland, Oregon, in the early 1980s and working alongside Ed Barnes of IBEW Local 48. He talks about how the recession of the early 1980s affected union members and labor negotiations, and describes NECA's and IBEW's response. He speaks at length about the establishment and success of the Market Recovery Program, which uses union dues to supplement union wages. He also talks about opposition and legal challenges to the program.

Gauthier discusses working with labor attorneys during labor negotiations. He talks about creating a drug testing program and explains the reasons why he felt drug testing was important for union members. He then describes the process of winning job contracts, including how the Market Recovery Program helps. He speaks about the mission and objectives of NECA; describes several of NECA's programs and organizational partnerships; and talks about national recognition for the Oregon-Columbia NECA chapter. He talks about the future of NECA, as well as NECA's charitable work. He closes the interview by discussing his family life.

Gauthier, Timothy J. (Timothy John), 1958-

Oregon Labor Oral History Program

  • SR OLOHP
  • Collection
  • 1993 - 2018

The Oregon Labor Oral History Program, building upon the work begun in the 1980s of former Oregon AFL-CIO officer Nellie Fox Edwards, collects oral histories of individuals who have advocated for working people of Oregon, including public figures, union members, and workers. OLOHP accomplishes this work in affiliation with the Pacific Northwest Labor History Association and with the support of the Amalgamated Transit Union 757, volunteers and students.