This oral history interview with Paul Stuckenschneider was conducted by James R. Kelsheimer-Sevich in nineteen sessions, from July 9, 2012, to March 6, 2014, in Portland, Oregon, and in La Center, Washington. 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. Accompanying the audio recording of the interview is a printout of a color photograph of Stuckenschneider and a woman identified only as his wife.

In sessions 1 through 5, Stuckenschneider describes how he became involved with the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, beginning when he worked as a sheet metal cutter at a Hussmann Corporation factory in St. Louis, Missouri, as a teenager. He shares his experiences as a shop steward and later as a business rep for Local 93 of the sheet metal workers' union in St. Louis, including filing grievances, negotiating contracts, and participating in strikes. He speaks particularly about a national strike against General Electric in 1968 and 1969, and about mediating a strike at GE's Hot Point Plant in Cicero, Illinois. He also discusses his work as assistant director of organizing, and later as research director, for the Sheet Metal Workers International Association in Washington, D.C., from 1970 to 1978.

In sessions 6 through 19, Stuckenschneider discusses his work for the Federal Mediation Service. He describes the events that led him to accept a job as a mediator in Portland, Oregon, in 1978. He describes his experiences during the 1980s, talks about his family life during this time period, then speaks about his work as assistant director of the Federal Mediation Service in Washington, D.C. from 1990 to 1994. He speaks extensively about the role of federal mediators in contract negotiations, and describes mediating negotiations to end strikes. He shares his reasons for accepting a demotion and returning to Portland in 1994, and talks about his work as a mediator between Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 and Portland Mayor Bud Clark.