Del Castle papers, 1979-1998, undated

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Castle, Del, 1915-2006
Title
Del Castle papers
Dates
1979-1998, undated (inclusive)
Quantity
0.21 cubic feet (1 box)
Collection Number
5730 (Accession No. 5730-001)
Summary
Writings by Del Castle, including reports, papers, ddrafts of articles and book chapters, and a letter to David Olson, Harry Bridges Chair in Labor Studies at the University of Washington
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Castle (1915-2006) was a labor activist, union officer and member. Born in Spokane, Washington, Castle graduated from Broadview High School in Seattle and the University of Washington but worked mainly in blue collar jobs like lumber mills, railroad yards, steelmills, shipyards and longshoring. Castle first became a labor organizer in the 1930s, participating in strikes with the Sawmill and Timber Workers Union and an early farmworkers union. In 1937, as co-chair of the King County Workers Alliance he helped organize a two week occupation of the King County Council chambers by hundreds of the unemployed seeking benefits. In 1942 he was elected secretary of the Shipscaler's Union. After WWII, he organized lumberworkers in Aberdeen. During the Korean War, Del was active in the anti-war movement, as he would be later during the Vietnam War and the Iraq wars. In 1957, Del became a longshoreman, joining ILWU, Local 19. He served on the Executive Board from 1963 until he retired in 1980. He was elected to one term as secretary of Local 19 in 1975. Following his retirement, he served as editor of the Rusty Hook, the newsletter for retired longshore workers, until, at age 89, he felt it was time to step down.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Writings by Del Castle, including reports, papers, drafts of articles and book chapters, and a letter to David Olson, Harry Bridges Chair in Labor Studies at the University of Washington

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The creators' literary rights have been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged as received.

Acquisition Information

Donor: Michelle Drayton, November 21, 2012

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Castle, Del, 1915-2006--Archives

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Labor Archives of Washington (University of Washington) (creator)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)