Thomas J. Connors, Interviewer, UCLA Oral History Program. B.A., Anthropology, Brown University; M.A., American Civilization, Brown University.
Place: Schrade's home, Los Angeles.
Dates, length of sessions: July 14, 1989 (80 minutes); July 21, 1989 (97); July 27, 1989 (83); September 21, 1989 (87); November 28, 1989 (75); February 22, 1990 (81); March 1, 1990 (85); April 19, 1990 (81); June 5, 1990 (76); July 24, 1990 (80); October 15, 1990 (100).
Total number of recorded hours:15.4
Persons present during interview: Schrade and Connors.
This interview is one in a series of interviews with former leaders and organizers of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) in Southern California.
In preparing for the interview, Connors read secondary works on the UAW; William C. Aston's manuscript history of UAW Local 887; and issues of the UAW Local 887 newspaper, the Propeller; and the UAW paper, Solidarity.
The interview is organized chronologically, beginning with Schrade's childhood in Saratoga Springs, New York, and his education and move to California and continuing on through his employment at North American Aviation and his work with the UAW. Major topics discussed include the 1953 strike at North American Aviation, contract negotiations, Walter P. Reuther and other UAW leaders, Democratic presidential candidates endorsed by the UAW, the Vietnam War, Robert F. Kennedy's presidential primary campaign and assassination, Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Union, and Schrade's active participation in the American Civil Liberties Union.
Alex Cline, editor, edited the interview. He checked the verbatim transcript of the interview against the original tape recordings, edited for punctuation, paragraphing, and spelling, and verified proper names. Words and phrases inserted by the editor have been bracketed. In accordance with program policy, the editor has consistently bracketed in the current name of both the UAW and the IAM rather than indicating changes in organizational names over time.
Schrade reviewed the transcript. He verified proper names and made minor corrections and additions.
Teresa Barnett, principal editor, prepared the table of contents. Cline drafted the biographical summary. Steven J. Novak, senior editor, assembled the interview history. Rebecca Stone, oral history assistant, compiled the index.
The original tape recordings of the interview are in the university archives and are available under the regulations governing the use of permanent noncurrent records of the university. Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Oral History Program.