George L. Newkirk papers, 1967-1993

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
Newkirk, George L. and San Francisco Municipal Railway.
Abstract:
The George L. Newkirk Papers consist of photographs, biographical material, and administrative files created while Newkirk served as the Director of Labor Relations and Management Development at the San Francisco Municipal Railway between 1985-1993.
Extent:
2.5 linear feet (5 boxes)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

George L. Newkirk papers, MS 31, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The George L. Newkirk Papers consist of photographs, biographical material, and administrative files created while Newkirk served as the Director of Labor Relations and Management Development at the San Francisco Municipal Railway between 1985-1993. The majority of the papers are Newkirk’s working files at the San Francisco Municipal Railway and include agreements and correspondence with various union officials, affirmative action, security and reorganization plans, and working papers of disability, drug-use, fiscal advisory, and health and safety committees. Photographs in the collection mostly document award and groundbreaking ceremonies at the San Francisco Municipal Railway. Also in the papers are a small number of biographical items, including Newkirk’s resume, awards, obituary, funeral program, and letters of condolence sent to his wife upon his death in 1993.

Biographical / historical:

George L. Newkirk (1941-1993) was born on July 10, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan. After attending public schools in Michigan, Newkirk joined the military in 1960 and was transferred to Travis Air Force Base. After leaving the military, he moved to San Francisco and began working as a loan officer at Wells Fargo Bank while finishing his bachelor and master’s degrees in sociology and speech at San Francisco State University. He was appointed contract compliance officer for the San Francisco Utilities Commission in 1973, where he was responsible for overseeing compliance with federal minority hiring and contract regulations. In 1978, Newkirk was named the director of the Minority Business Enterprise, Contract Compliance and Affirmative Action Office. After serving as a field support manager beginning in 1982, he was eventually named the Director of Labor Relations and Management Development at the San Francisco Municipal Railway. He served as a lead negotiator on the labor-management negotiating team and worked with the unions to solve labor issues. Newkirk was also active in many social and civic organizations serving as President of the San Francisco Black Leadership Forum (1976-1979), Board President of the Council for Civic Unity (1977-1979), and Board President of the Christian Welfare, Growth, and Development Center (1972-1975).

Processing information:

Sean Heyliger, 05/03/2013.

Arrangement:

Series I. San Francisco Municipal Railway, Director of Labor Relations and Management Development records Series II. Biographical Series III. Photographs

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the George L. Newkirk Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

George L. Newkirk papers, MS 31, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
Website