DECEASED — Bobby R. Roberts, retired director of the Manufacturing Department, died March 11. He was 72.
“I’ve never seen anyone prepare for a negotiation the way he did. He would have three folders in his briefcase, and depending on which way the company went, he’d pull out a different folder,” said retired Manufacturing Director Randy Middleton, who worked with and succeeded Roberts. “But, then, he was the last from a different world.”
Brother Roberts was born in Indianapolis. He was initiated into Bloomington, Ind., Local 2249 in 1973, while he was employed at the General Electric refrigerator plant.
He joined the local’s executive board in 1981 before serving as president and acting business manager from 1984 to 1989. At that time, Roberts served as a Central Labor Council representative to the Monroe, Ind., United Way Board of Directors. He also completed a labor studies program at Indiana University.
Roberts was also treasurer and on the executive board of System Council EM-5, which brought together all locals with GE contracts.
“Back then, GE was one of the biggest departments we had. There was more than 40 locals and 26,000 members just in EM-5,” Middleton said.
Today, EM-5 represents fewer than 900 members working at companies GE either sold or spun off.
Brother Roberts was appointed international representative to the Manufacturing Department in 1989 where his portfolio included electrical manufacturing system councils including Westinghouse, Celestica, Exide/GNB, General Cable and General Electric.
“His composure and his preparation were better than anything I’ve ever seen on either side of the table.”
– Eleventh District International Representative Tad Gusta
He oversaw the relationship with several multi-union coordinated bargaining committees with contracts at Grand Eagle, Okonite, Osram/Sylvania, Rockwell Collins, Square D and other employers. He also ran the IBEW’s union label program.
Middleton was business manager of Milwaukee Local 663 when Roberts was international representative.
“I watched him working with management. And he said: ‘If we can’t get along, we don’t have anything. We need them, and they need us.’ He opened my eyes to the idea that you could represent the workers and find a good deal,” Middleton said.
Then-International President Edwin D. Hill appointed Roberts to the directorship of the Manufacturing Department in 2003 to administer national collective bargaining agreements for more than 200 locals representing about 72,000 members.
“We’ll never have anyone who was as good as him again,” said Eleventh District International Representative Tad Gusta. “His composure and his preparation were better than anything I’ve ever seen on either side of the table — I don’t care how many degrees you had — and I’ve been negotiating contracts since 1992.”
Middleton said Roberts’ great strength was managing relationships in the members’ interest across the table from companies that were mostly closing down.
“The plant closings were tough because you try to find the softest landing, but you can’t save everybody. When you negotiate benefits, there is a cutoff date. If it’s 20 years or 15 years, 3 months and a day, wherever you draw the line, there is always someone a month short,” Middleton said. “He was always clear: Don’t tell people you will fix stuff that you can’t. Tell the truth. Because the fact is, it’s never our choice to close.”
After retirement in 2008, Middleton said, Roberts became a prolific house remodeler and doting grandpa, shuttling between renovation projects for his children, family But his real passion, Middleton said, was the home he shared with his wife, Cindy.
“He bought a house and remodeled the whole thing, including an in-ground pool. He was a landscaping fanatic. It was gorgeous. It was a ‘Parade of Homes’ home,” Middleton said. “Then the neighbor next door copied Bobby’s house. Man, he was livid. I said to him, ‘Isn’t that a compliment?’ He sold the house and moved. He built a new house and did it all again. That was Bobby,” Middleton said.
The officers and staff salute Brother Roberts’ service to the Brotherhood and send their condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.
