Robert (Bobby) Olvera, Jr.
Robert (Bobby) Olvera, Jr. is the International Vice-President (Mainland) of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). Prior to his election as International Vice-President in 2018, Bobby was elected to a variety of positions at ILWU Local 13 in Southern California, the largest ILWU local on the West Coast.
Bobby is a third-generation longshoreman. He became registered in the industry in 1989. In 1991 he enlisted in the Marines, later serving in the Reserves. In his 29-year history with the ILWU, he was elected by the Local 13 membership to serve on the local’s Executive Board, Political Action Committee, and as Longshore Caucus Delegate and ILWU Convention Delegate. His career as a Local 13 officer included terms as a Chief Dispatcher, Business Agent, three years as Local 13’s Vice-President, and as Local 13’s President from 2014 through 2016.
Outside of his career at Local 13 and the military, Bobby serves on the Board of Directors for the Miguel Contreras Advocacy Foundation (since 2011), a non-profit organization promoting social and labor justice and on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Labor Community Services since 2010. From 2011 to 2013, he has served as the Executive Vice President of Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO. He is currently the City of Long Beach Economic Development Commissioner. He continues to involve himself in social, political, and union issues.