Jame Herbert "Herb" Butler oral history interview, August 3, 1996

Item — othertype: Oral History

Identifier: ButlerH_L1995-12_05

Staff Only

Herb Butler oral history interview

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Scope and Contents

Interviewed by Christine Lutz: Butler argues eloquently that, “working people need a voice.” He discusses life with the United Auto Workers (UAW), and his current volunteer work with union retirees. He gives candid opinions of political figures and whether or not they have been good from the point of view of organized labor. He says, “I have got a great deal of satisfaction from [being in a union] and my family has been able to live…decently…because of the union activities…and the benefits that we’ve been able to have by being a union member. Concerning the statement that unions aren’t necessary today, Butler says, “People say you can’t organize today. You can if you go out and ask workers. The need is there…All you have got to do is…get out there and talk to them and tell them what unions are all about and how great they are, how great they are.” Unions Represented: United Auto Workers; NMU-AFL

Dates

Creation: August 3, 1996

Creator

Butler, Herb (James Herbert), 1927-2008 (Interviewee, Person)

Restrictions on Access

Oral history available for research.

Biographical Note

Herb Butler was born November 4, 1927 in Silver Grove, Kentucky. He has been affiliated with the United Auto Workers (UAW) of which he served as chairman from 1953 to 1957, Region and Servicing Representative and Staff Member International Representative in 1957, a member of the Employment Security Agency Advisory Council, and Director of the Atlanta area UAW from 1969 to 1990. Besides his UAW activities, Butler was affiliated with the National Maritime Union (NMU-AFL), as well as the State of Georgia Board of Natural Resources.