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Transcript of interview with Richard McCracken by Claytee D. White, September 30, 2014

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Date

2014-09-30

Description

As International Counsel to UNITE HERE, Culinary Workers Union Local 226, Richard McCracken is a true union man whose law firm represents labor. He is an independent thinker who prefers direct action rather than the strategies and negotiations of the National Labor Relations Board. This interview covers union activity in several locations throughout the country but concentrates on Nevada with stories about Las Vegas and Reno labor connections that are profound. Once which organizing in Reno after the murder of two organizers, Richard was given a spiked drink. An older, more seasoned organizer instructed him to eat a cigarette forcing him to cough up everything in his system. Very early in his career, Richard learned that direct action was better and the strategies and techniques of the National Labor Relations Board. The Culinary Workers Union’s fight with the Showboat was one of unusual direct action. The union interfered directly in a matter of with the casino’s shareholders. Union work takes courage. McCracken admires that courage in D. Taylor, Hattie Canty, Jim Arnold, and many other local union leaders. His life is also an example of that same courage, determination, and legal savvy.

Digital ID

OH_02173_book
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Citation

Richard G. McCracken oral history interview, 2014 September 30. OH-02173. [Transcript]. Oral History Research Center, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/d1kp7xv02

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Standardized Rights Statement

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

AN INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD G. MCCRACKEN An Oral History Conducted by Claytee D. White The Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Oral History Research Center at UNLV University Libraries University of Nevada L