The papers of Robert Olvera, Sr. and Robert Olvera, Jr. document two generations of union activism in one family. The collection consists largely of business papers dating from 1960 to 2003, including Executive Board and general meeting minutes (with indexes), committee and council records (with indexes), documentation of arbitration awards, papers of the Longshore, Ship Clerks & Walking Bosses Caucus, ILWU contract agreement documents, and legal case material. A small number of ILWU bulletins and newsletters published between 1981 and 2002 are also included in the collection as is a small group of administrative correspondence.

Robert (Bobby) Joseph Olvera Sr. was a longshoreman for 38 years and Coast Committeeman of the Coast Labor Relations Committee from 1983 through 1989. The youngest of six surviving children, Bobby Olvera, Sr. was born January 3, 1933 in Bella Vista (West Pittsburg), California to Jose and Tomasa Olvera. After the death of his mother in 1937 and father in 1942, Bobby, his brother Gilbert, and his sister Stella were raised by their uncle Manuel Olvera and his wife Faye in Antioch. As a young boy, favorite past-times included Sea Scouts and raising homing pigeons. Following graduation from Antioch High School, Bobby Olvera Sr. served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954 on the USS Baltimore and USS Iowa during the Korean conflict. When he returned home, he began work as a longshoreman at the Port of Long Beach. In1968, Bobby Sr. married Georgia Crawford. Georgia's father, Jack C. Crawford, following in his father John (Jack) Crawford's footsteps as a longshoreman, encouraged Bobby's involvement with the union.

6.32 linear feet

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

The collection is open for research use.