Martin Chavez oral history interview, June 12, 2013

Interviewed by Amy Mell. Chavez begins the interview discussing his family background. His mother was a homemaker and while his father worked as a crane operator and was a member of steelworkers union. He goes to discuss working for McDonnell Douglas after serving in the Air Force and joining UAW. After a layoff, he recalls his transferred to Santa Monica, and where he became shop steward for the IAMAW. He recalls being involved in the 62 day strike and eventually transferring to Huntington Beach, where he also served as shop steward. Chavez talks about working at Western Airlines, and then being hired by United Airlines, where he served as a trustee. He recalls working with Steve Cook and the negotiations they had with company. Chavez discusses retiring for medical reasons in 2003. He ends by discussing his activities after retirement, particularly his involvement with documenting the history of the local.