Oral history interview with Gene Watson

Collection

Identifier: SR 1614

Staff Only

Digitized audio recording of interview and photographs of Gene Watson

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Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Gene Watson was conducted by Jim Strassmaier in two sessions, on December 18, 2001, and January 2, 2002, at Watson’s home in Tualatin, Oregon. 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. The audio recording of the interview is accompanied by two photographs of Watson. Watson’s wife, Joyce E. Watson, was also present and occasionally contributed to the interview. The audio quality is poor.

In the first interview session, conducted on December 18, 2001, Watson discusses his early life near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; talks about attending Willamette University in Salem, Oregon; and describes how he became involved with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 in 1942, while he was a bus driver for the Portland Traction Company in Portland, Oregon. He describes how he avoided the draft during World War II, and talks about his marriage.

In the second interview session, conducted on January 2, 2002, Watson discusses the history of ATU Local 757, and talks about the union’s relationship with management at the Portland Traction Company (later Rose City Transit). He also discusses the work of ATU Local 757 business agent Mel Schoppert. He speaks extensively about working for the Oregon Bureau of Labor beginning in the 1960s. He closes the interview by discussing his retirement activities.

Dates

Creation: 2001 December 18-2002 January 2

Creator

Watson, Gene (Eugene Jess), 1913-2002 (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

Eugene Jess “Gene” Watson was born in Carlin Bay, Idaho, in 1913. In 1933, he moved to Salem, Oregon, where he attended Willamette University. He then worked on the construction of the Capitol building in Salem. In the 1940s, he moved to Portland, and worked as a bus driver for the Portland Traction Company, which later became Rose City Transit. In 1942, he became a member of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757. In 1951, he was elected secretary treasurer, of Local 757, and he then served as business agent for around three years, ending in 1962. He later worked for the Oregon Bureau of Labor. He also served as a volunteer speaker for United Fund, and as a state chairman for the AFL-CIO community services committee.

In 1951, he married Joyce Elaine Lanthrop, and they had three children. Watson died in 2002.

Sources: Vital records in Ancestry.com; information provided by Watson in his interview; “’Volunteer of the Week’ Citation to Gene Watson,” Oregon Labor Press, January 17, 1958, Page 1; Watson’s obituary in the Oregonian, September 28, 2002, Page B5.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (4 audiocassettes (2 hr., 34 min., 38 sec.) + 2 photographs (color, black and white))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with Gene Watson, conducted by Jim Strassmaier in two sessions, on December 18, 2001, and January 2, 2002, as part of the Oregon Labor Oral History Program. Watson discusses his involvement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 and his work at the Oregon Bureau of Labor.