ROY EVANS

1925-2004

A union leader whose accomplishments have ranged widely through the labor arena in Texas, Roy Evans has devoted his life to promoting the cause of working people.

From humble beginnings selling magazines and tending to livestock in Oklahoma, Evans held a series of jobs that at one time or another, made him an active member of UAW, OPEIU, IAM, IUE, The Newspaper Guild, and AFGE, as well as Administrative Vice President of the CIO. He was a full-time President of a UAW local from 1956 to 1961, then moved to the Texas AFL-CIO, where he served as public relations director, Secretary-Treasurer, and President.

Amongst Evan’s achievements are the insertion of a strong labor voice during the evolution of the workers’ compensation system in Texas. He was labor’s negotiator during talks over workers’ comp reforms from 1967 to 1969, later served on the Industrial Accident Board, and more recently, served as a workers’ comp advisor and liaison for the U.S. Department of Labor.

Evans was the first Board President of the Texas Labor Movement Foundation, which collects oral histories from union members in Texas.