ROBERT HAWKINS

1939- 

A jack-of-all-trades in the Texas labor movement, Robert Hawkins represented five different labor unions and became an indispensable member of the Central Texas Labor Council over a career spanning five decades. 

Hawkins held delegate and leadership positions in the United Rubber Workers, the Bookbinders and Bindery Workers, the International Union of Operating Engineers, the International Association of Machinists and the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters.

He participated in state federation activities as well, including a stint representing the Machinists on the United Labor Legislative Committee. Hawkins became a valuable grant-writer for the Texas Building Trades Council and, in his capacity as Director of Special Programs at Texas State Technical College in Waco, was instrumental in connecting union apprenticeship programs to the courses at the college and opening a pathway for TSTC students to union jobs.

Gov. Ann Richards appointed Hawkins to the Texas Workforce Investment Council, one of many appointments he garnered from six different Texas governors. Hawkins represented the State of Texas at two White House Economic Conferences. 

Hawkins graduated from the State University of New York at Albany. He completed 25 years of military service and taught military courses for the Department of Defense. 

Hawkins and his wife, Ladeen, had three children and five grandchildren.