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 this interview, Butler discusses her family background and early life in Portland, Oregon, her experiences in college, and her early involvement in union organizing while working at the Multnomah County library. She talks about her involvement with the Communications Workers of America while working as a telephone operator for Pacific Northwest Bell. She speaks at length about her work as executive director of the Portland coalition of Jobs with Justice. She also speaks at length about her work as a contractor and later as executive director of the American Association of University Professors. The final interview session includes Rich Peppers, Jamie Partridge, and Lorene Scheer; they talk about their work together as labor organizers with Jobs with Justice.