IN MEMORIAM: JOHN BOWERS

The Dragon is sad to report that retired Senior Field Representative John Bowers passed away after a brief illness in March. He was 67. One of SEIU’s early leaders and visionaries, John served Local 535 since 1987 as field representative, negotiator, friend, and mentor. As an Alameda County child protective services social worker he was also one of the union’s early presidents and helped write the local’s first bylaws.

John got his first start at SEIU as a researcher in San Francisco. During the next 15 years he headed the SEIU Research Department for public sector locals in northern California. He negotiated the first Alameda County public employee contract, which saw the first attempt at joint negotiations of SEIU Locals 250, 616, 390, and 535. In the coming years, John put together the tri-local contract in Alameda County and the four-local contract in San Francisco. In both cases he was the chief negotiator. He was also the chief spokesperson in 1976 when Alameda County public employees struck for seven weeks. In 1989 he developed the formula for pay equity in Alameda County that unions used to win higher wages for women and minorities.

John grew up in New Jersey and attended Princeton University. Following a two-year stint in the army, he arrived in the West in 1962. He earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of California at Berkeley and then joined the SEIU Research Department. At 535 John represented Northern California Kaiser, La Clinica de la Raza, and Catholic Charities until he retired in June 2000.

“The reason I have worked here is I like, care about, and respect the people, the members. I will miss the members. I have met some really good people over the years, and will be sorry not to be out there doing it. To do this job, you have to believe that people can work together and get great things done. It is always rewarding to see that happen,” said John in an article in the Dragon upon his retirement in 2000.

The union held a memorial service in John’s honor at ILWU Local 6 Hall in Oakland, attended by friends, 535 staff, and loved ones.

“John leaves behind a wealth of accomplishments. We have much to thank for his tireless efforts and dedication to the union spirit. He will be sorely missed,” said David Kramer, Local 535 executive director.

“John shared everything he knew,” said senior field representative Joyce Baird. “He was a mentor to many in the labor movement in a way that people felt competent, capable, and good about themselves. We will all miss him.”

“The world was a better place because John was in it, and it will be a lesser place because he’s gone,” said Larry Gerber, Local 535 administrative services director.

John is survived by his wife of 26 years, Kay Eisenhower, and a stepson, Mathew Eisenhower. Many union members, 535 staff, and friends have contributed in John’s memory to the Alameda County Food Bank, PO Box 24590, Oakland CA. 94623 or to Labor Notes, 7435 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48210.