Robert Gregory oral history interview, December 4, 2011

Item — othertype: Oral History

Identifier: GregoryR_L2012-07

Staff Only

Robert Gregory oral history interview

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Scope and Contents

Interviewed by Traci Drummond. Gregory discusses his upbringing and education. Gregory describes the structure and “shop politics” and classifications of the Aerojet plant, and his working relationships with officers Chuck Jones and Hal Sheehan. Gregory also discusses the types of government projects that Aerojet would receive. Gregory recalls his increased involvement in the union and his early election history within his local lodge, and some of the other companies that his local lodge represented. Gregory describes the negotiations, grievance, and arbitration process as his local lodge handled these processes. Gregory recalls three major strikes that he was involved in through his local lodge: 1962, 1965, and 1972-1973, the latter of which lasted six months. Gregory discusses the impact of the greater economic trends of the 1970s on his community and the aerospace industry. Gregory describes his negotiation roles in the International lodge for companies such as Rohr Industries, Aerojet, and Boeing. Gregory discusses his role in his local lodge’s retirees’ club, the Sacramento Classic Car Show that he organizes, and generational differences within the lodge.

Dates

Creation: December 4, 2011

Creator

Gregory, Robert, 1934- (Interviewee, Person)

Restrictions on Access

Oral history available for research.

Biographical Note

Robert “Bob” Gregory was born February 13, 1934 in Fresno, California to Charles and Eileen Gregory. Gregory is the only member of his family to ever join a union, in junior college he changed his major from law enforcement to accounting to general education. Gregory joined IAMAW local lodge 946 in 1957 when he began working for Aerojet as an experimental metal smith. At his local lodge, Dorsey served as steward and senior steward and served on several committees before being elected the business representative to handle local lodge 946 in 1972. In 1982, Gregory was hired onto the International lodge staff as a special grand lodge representative, to later become a grand lodge representative. From 1992 until his retirement in 1996, Gregory was administrative assistant to General Vice President of the Western Territory Lee Pearson, who also participated in the IAMAW Oral History Project. Since his retirement, Gregory has been active in the local lodge 946 retirees’ club, and he organizes the retirees’ club’s annual Sacramento Classic Car Show.