In Memoriam Bud Beal (1931-2025)

Long-time IAM member Bud Beal served in the Navy on aircraft carriers during the Korean War. When the war ended and he returned to California, he worked odd jobs until he started his career and became a member of the old Local 284, working at Sunshine Biscuit in Oakland in the late 1950s. He joined Local 1546 in 1961 when he got a job at Peterbilt, machining truck parts. A 63-year member of Local 1546, Beal died on February 19, 2025, at the age of 93. Bud worked at Peterbilt until the facility shut down in 1986. He served as a shop steward there and became very active in the union. From there, he went to Fabco Automotive in Emeryville, where he worked as a machinist until 1992. He ended his working career as a janitor at the San Leandro Schools and a member of CSEA. Retiring gave Bud time to be even more active in the union. He was one of Local 1546’s delegates to District 190; he worked as a janitor/gardener and also as an Executive Board member of Local 1546 for many years. “No matter what needed doing, you always had at least one volunteer if Bud had heard about it,” says Directing Business Rep Don Crosatto. “He was the ultimate behind-the-scenes guy, never wanting to be the center of attention. Ultimately, what touched me about Bud was his sense of gratitude. Where other union members had more lucrative pensions than he did, he was proud and grateful for everything he did have.” Crosatto adds that Bud was a walking billboard for the union. “He’d either be in an IAM hat, shirt, belt buckle or all three. I once counted nine different IAM stickers on his truck.” Most importantly, Bud deeply understood that solidarity and unions, particularly his beloved Machinists Union, are the only factors that provide workers economic power in the workplace. He also understood politics—and for many years, you couldn’t go to a phone bank without seeing Bud calling on his fellow union members to support or oppose a candidate or proposition. He was recognized numerous times by the Alameda County Labor Council and by the IAM for his dedication and volunteer service. Bud’s service and dedication to the IAM will surely be missed.

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Here are excerpts from a letter written to Local 1546 by Bud Beal’s daughter: To All the Men and Women of Local 1546, My name is Cheryl McGinnis, and I am the youngest daughter of Bud and Shirley Beal. Our father passed away on February 19, 2025, and our mother passed away two years ago. I am writing this to thank all of you for the friendship and support given to my parents throughout the years. Local 1546 was very important to both of them. My dad was so very proud to be a member, and I know he felt appreciated for all the work he did over the years on behalf of the union members. My parents were both union members, and they taught us all to have a very strong work ethic. They ensured that we understood that always looking out for our co-workers and lending a helping hand when needed was one of the most important contributions we could make. Our dad had photos and plaques from the union hung up all over the house. He wore his Local 1546 jacket with pride and often spoke fondly of his friends in the union. So, on behalf of myself, my brother Mike, and my sister Jocelyn, I want to thank you all for your friendship and support throughout the years. It meant so much to them. We wish the very best to all of you.

Leadership Training Course Inspires Local 653 Member

Chris Jimenez helped organize his unit into IAM Local 653 more than a dozen years ago. He works in Fresno for Strategic Technology Institute, the contractor for the Army National Guard. He and his co-workers maintain the Guard’s helicopters (UH 60s and CH 47s). In March, he got the opportunity to hone his leadership skills by attending a course at the IAM’s William Winpisinger Training Center in Placid Harbor, MD. There, a group of about 70-80 students from IAM locals across the nation learned about labor rights and laws, parliamentary procedure, the role of stewards in grievance handling, and the union’s constitution and bylaws.