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. An index and transcript are available.

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.