Oral history interview with Mel Schoppert

Collection

Identifier: SR 1613

Staff Only

Digitized audio recording of interview

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Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Mel Schoppert was conducted by Jim Strassmaier in six sessions, from October 16 to December 11, 2001. The interview was conducted for 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.

In this interview, Schoppert discusses his family background and early life on a farm in Sunnyside, Oregon, as well as his experiences as a U.S. Marine in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He talks about working as a bus driver for the Portland Traction Company, describes how he became involved with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, and discusses the factors that led to the dismantling of Portland's streetcar lines. He speaks extensively about his work as business representative for ATU Local 757 from 1962 to 1972, particularly legislation he worked on that led to the formation of TriMet, and a pension plan he negotiated for ATU Local 757 members. He also discusses his experience as vice president of ATU International, beginning in 1972, including organizing transit workers around the United States. He speaks extensively about ATU International's leadership and internal politics. He closes the interview by reflecting on his accomplishments.

Dates

Creation: 2001 October 16-December 11

Creator

Schoppert, Mel (Melvin Walter), 1924-2002 (Interviewee, Person)
Strassmaier, James (Interviewer, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following statement: Creative Commons - BY-NC-SA, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Biographical note

Melvin Walter Schoppert was born in Sunnyside, Oregon, in 1924. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, deployed to the Pacific Theater. In 1952, he began working as a bus driver for the Portland Traction Company. He soon became involved with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, first as a shop steward and then, in 1962, becoming the local’s business representative. In 1972, he was appointed as a vice president of ATU International. He lobbied the Oregon State Legislature on transit issues, and earned a reputation as a fierce negotiatior. In 1994, ATU Local 757 named its meeting hall after Schoppert.

Schoppert married twice, first to Wanda Eileen Burkett in 1949. She died in 1995, and Schoppert remarried, to Darlene E. Carmann, in 1999. Schoppert died in 2002. He was posthumously entered into the Labor Hall of Fame later that year.

Sources: Vital records in Ancestry.com; information provided by Schoppert in his interview; “Cancer Claims ATU’s Mel Schoppert,” Northwest Labor Press, June 7, 2002, Page 2; “Mel Schoppert Honored,” Northwest Labor Press, December 6, 2002, Page 2.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (12 audiocassettes (10 hr., 35 min., 44 sec.))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with Mel Schoppert, conducted by Jim Strassmaier in six sessions from October 16 to December 11, 2001, as part of the Oregon Labor Oral History Program. Schoppert discusses his work as business representative of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 in Portland, Oregon, from 1962 to 1972, and as vice president of ATU International beginning in 1972.