Ex-labor leader dies at 71

Claude "Blackie" Evans, a Golden Gloves boxing champion during his youth in the Midwest, took up the fight for workers' rights as a powerful union boss and political activist in Nevada.

The longtime secretary-treasurer of Nevada State AFL-CIO died Friday at his Henderson home from a heart attack. He was 71.

Evans, who moved to Henderson in 1953 from Joplin, Mo., was elected to the executive position in 1978, leading a labor organization with 130,000 members. He retired in 1999.

"As one of those whom you define as a labor union boss, I'm very proud that the union members of Nevada have elected me to my current position and the other union offices I've held for the past 40 years," Evans said at the 1998 Nevada State AFL-CIO convention at the Tropicana.

Nicknamed for his dark complexion and wavy black hair, Evans was commended by the Legislature in 1999 for his public service to people in Nevada.

"He was very helpful in any sort of fights or struggles we had," Culinary Local 226 Secretary-Treasurer D. Taylor said. "He was also a human being that took a personal interest in people. He never forgot where he came from, out of the plants in Henderson. He always knew how members and their family had to deal with issues."

He started as a steel lathe operator for Titanium Metals in Henderson and, at age 22, was the youngest president of Steelworkers Local 4856. His election in 1978 prompted the withdrawal of the 26,000-member Culinary union, which was then the largest local in the state. The Culinary rejoined the AFL-CIO in 1981 after the organization elected a new secretary-treasurer.

Evans was preceded in death by his brother, Dan, former administrator of the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration, who died of bone cancer in 2000 at age 50.

Former Gov. Bob Miller remembered Blackie Evans as a hard-working and strong leader when he dealt with him as district attorney in the 1970s and '80s.

"He brought people together and, when he spoke, he had the force and respect of his membership behind him. There was no question he was the leader," Miller said. "We went through some significant labor-management issues during his years. He was a tireless advocate for working men and women, but he exerted his knowledge without intimidation. He got a lot accomplished because of his personality."

Former Nevada Gov. and U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan said Evans was the "quintessential" blue-collar worker from Henderson and one of his favorite labor leaders.

"I liked his personality and I liked the fact you always knew where you stood with Blackie. He was a pragmatist, very reasonable. You're always able to work out issues with him," Bryan said from Chicago.

In a statement, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he is "deeply saddened" by Evans' passing.

"Throughout his life, he worked tirelessly for the hard-working men and women of Nevada and the nation," Reid said. "His efforts helped ensure working families a better standard of living. My thoughts are with his family during this time of sadness."

Evans liked to quote President Truman, who once said: "Those who say they love workers but hate unions are damn liars."

When he passed his duties to Danny Thompson in 1999, Evans said "it's a little strange" leaving the post after 46 years as a union man, starting as a steelworker in Henderson in 1953. He served eight years as head of the Nevada Industrial Commission under Gov. Mike O'Callaghan.

"It's been fun, it's been enjoyable," Evans told the Review-Journal at the time. "I've had the opportunity to meet some great people, some top labor officials. It was time. I had a couple of medical problems, which I got over."

In regard to the so-called "paycheck protection" initiative to block union dues from being used to support political candidates, Evans said, "We will not attack anyone simply because of their party affiliation, but based on their records and their positions on issues important to the working men and women of our state and nation."

Unions have historically contributed more to Democratic candidates than Republicans, but Evans noted that Nevada AFL-CIO membership included 25,000 registered Republicans.

Evans was born Nov. 26, 1935, in Duenweg, Mo. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of 54 years; son, Steven, of Las Vegas; daughters, Cheree, of Reno, and Sienna and Lisa, both of Henderson; and four grandchildren.

Services are scheduled for 3 p.m. next Friday at Palm Mortuary at 7600 S. Eastern Ave.