Willie McReynolds oral history interview, June 12, 2013

Interviewed by Amy Mell. McReynolds begins by talking about his family background. His family relocated from Birmingham, Alabama to California. He recalls growing up in the Watts, California, one of seven kids. His father worked at GM, Douglas aircraft and as truck driver and his mother worked at the cannery. He talks about first job after leaving the Air Force, working ramp at TWA and joining the IAM. He later becomes an avionics mechanic. He talks about the union positions he held, including shop steward, trustee, and serving on the grievance committee as well as working on the safety committee. He discusses the opportunities provided by the union. He recalls his involvement with the strike of five airlines in 1966 and the Eastern strike. He discusses the circumstances of his medical retirement. He talks about activities of the retirees club and about the importance of the history of the local project.