Edgar West and Pam West oral history interview, 2005-09-14

• Main Authors: West, Edgar, West, Pam
• Other Authors: Slawsky, Norman J., 1949-
• Format: Audio
• Language: English
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: Iron and steel workers > Labor unions; Building; Iron and steel; International Association of Bridge; Structural; Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers; World Trade Center (New York; N.Y.); Greenland
• Online Access: http://digitalcollections.library.gsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/labor/id/6088

A native of Savannah, Georgia, Edgar West was born on February 7, 1943. After graduating from high school, West spent three years in the Army working at a missile site in Greenland. He returned to Savannah after his military service and began an apprenticeship program with the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (Ironworkers) Local 709. Becoming a journeyman in 1969, West traveled around the country working on several projects, including the erection of the World Trade Center. In 1988 West became business manager of Local 709, replacing his father-in-law, and stayed in that position until his retirement in March 2005. In this interview, West only briefly mentions his early life, spending a great deal of the interview discussing the day-to-day work of an iron worker. He talks about the travel and the dangers he faced as an iron worker, recounting in particular his experiences working on the John Hancock building in Chicago and the World Trade Towers in New York. He discusses his rise to business manager of Local 709 in 1988. West states that he is most proud of his success in negotiating a project labor agreement (PLA) at the Savannah River Site, and also thinks that the Clinton administration's willingness to help organized labor made that agreement, and others like it, possible. Pam West, Edgar's wife and daughter of Local 709's former business manager, joins in the interview and recalls some of her experience as secretary of Local 709. West and his wife agree that they value the union because it ensures workers' safety and and healthcare, and most importantly, it allows its members to look forward to a dignified retirement.