Alex Bay oral history interview, December 8, 2011

Item — othertype: Oral History

Identifier: BayA_L2012-01

Staff Only

Alex Bay oral history

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Scope and Contents

Interviewed by Rachel Bernstein. Bay discusses his parents’ immigration to the U.S., his mother’s union activity, and the devastating effect of the 1951 flood on the family fortune. He talks about joining the Marines in the aftermath of that flood and then returning to Kansas City to work for TWA. His recollections of being an IAMAW member in Kansas City and L.A. both center around starting a newsletter and communicating with members about common issues. He also talks about overthrowing the old “union establishment,” the effect of the 1966 strike, union structure and restructuring, deregulation, the Eastern and Continental strikes, the Civil Rights Act, and international support of trade unionists. He ends his interview discussing unification with the UAW and Steelworkers and his thoughts on the future of manufacturing and the trade unionism in the U.S.

Dates

Creation: December 8, 2011

Restrictions on Access

Oral history available for research.

Biographical Note

Alex Bay was born in Kansas City in 1938. His mother, a Greek immigrant, worked in the packinghouses. He first learned about unions from her and hearing how her working conditions improved after the union was formed. Bay began working for TWA in Kansas City after leaving the Marines. He joined the IAMAW during his probation. He helped establish the local lodge’s newsletter. Bay was elected to the negotiating committee in 1965 during the first negotiations between all airline carriers. In 1978 he became Grand Lodge Rep and in 1990 worked with International Affairs. Bay was part of training programs in developing countries helping workers form and maintain unions. He became vice president on executive council in 1996. In 2003 he retired.