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Al Schultz was a longtime negotiator
for the Machinists union in the Seattle area.
Scores of workers who wouldn't even recognize Al Schultz's name lead better lives because of benefits he negotiated for them. Those who knew and were close to the longtime machinist, labor activist and charity volunteer recall him as a tough negotiator whose word was ironclad.
Alvin K. Schultz — always "Al" — spent 37 years as a Machinists-union representative negotiating contracts for auto shops, shipyards, railroads and can companies. But the Everett man, who died of liver cancer Aug. 24 at age 85, is best remembered as a negotiator for Boeing workers during turbulent times.
Through his efforts, Boeing employees got cost-of-living allowances and dental coverage in their contracts, said former colleague Ron McGaha.
"People working there now at the shops, few remember him," McGaha said. "People forget over time how much effort it was."
Reading from a 1980 article in their hometown paper about a 22-hour eyeball-to-eyeball talk her father led, Susan Carl, of Edmonds, quotes, " 'When you've got 41,000 families waiting on your word, that's a hell of a responsibility.' "
Mr. Schultz was tough, no-nonsense and told it like it was, McGaha recalled. "The thing about Al was, if he told you something, you could take it to the bank."
Speaking at huge labor rallies, Mr. Schultz would sometimes get booed, which, McGaha remembered, left him unfazed — and, after which, members would still accept the terms he hammered out for them.
"Everybody always boos the negotiator. Water just ran right off his back. You couldn't shake him."
Representing perhaps a lost era of labor relations, Mr. Schultz was masterful at building relationships with those across the table from him and disarming them so that conversations wouldn't be adversarial, McGaha said.
As a young man, Lee Pearson, now general vice president for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers' west territory, sought out Mr. Schultz for his "vast knowledge and experience in aerospace."
As Pearson rose through the union ranks, Mr. Schultz would call him from time to time and ask, "Do you remember when you worked in the shop? Do you remember the people you worked around?"
After he retired in 1985, Mr. Schultz volunteered for charity organizations while still consulting for smaller unions. He became chairman of the board of directors for the King County chapter of the American Red Cross, as well as for the United Way chapters of King and Snohomish counties, among numerous other activities — for which he had boxes of awards, Carl said.
Outside of work, Mr. Schultz loved boating and building. He constructed a cabin at his property in the San Juan Islands, Carl said. He also was known for a dry sense of humor.
"He wasn't above giving you a good ribbing if he thought it was necessary, and he almost always thought it was necessary," Pearson said.
Mr. Shultz was born in Everett, graduated from Everett High School in 1939 and received an honorable discharge after serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps in World War II.
Carl suggested that living through the Great Depression may have imbued her father with his lifelong drive for labor and charity work.
"He always had a soft heart for the underprivileged and wanted to help them," she said. "He just wanted to give back for his fortunate life. Throughout his union time, he was supporting the labor man and his family, and trying to better their lives and working conditions."
Mr. Shultz's wife, Jo Marie, died in 2002. In addition to Carl, he's survived by daughter Miriam Beck, of Mercer Island; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A service will be at 1 p.m. Sept. 22, at the IAM District 751 office, 8729 Airport Road, Everett. Remembrances can be made to the American Red Cross and United Way of Snohomish County.
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Atricle from Seattle Times - Monday September 3, 2007
Mark Rahner: 206-464-8259 or
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