Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 general counsel Susan Stoner retired effective Feb. 28 at age 65. Over the 24 years she was an in-house attorney, she was an important figure behind the scenes in the life of the union. Stoner’s legal work helped win arbitrations and defend contracts, and won reinstatement for dozens of transit workers. She also advised union leaders during years of battles with public transit agencies like TriMet and private contractors like multinational First Student.
Stoner is a Portland native and the daughter of Cal Stoner, an ardently pro-union electrical contractor. Stoner Electric Group, which he founded in 1960, continues to employ members of IBEW Local 48 to this day.
“My dad loved IBEW,” Stoner says. “I grew up thinking unions were wonderful.”
And she still thinks that. Despite their decline, unions are still workers’ best defense, Stoner says, and the most democratic institutions they’ll encounter.
“Our job in the union,” Stoner says, “is to resist exploitation and the greed of the people who are running our working lives.”
Before settling down as a labor lawyer, Stoner says she was a hippie and an activist. Graduating from Wilson High School in 1967, she joined up with causes from anti-war to anti-poverty to historical preservation. She worked for the homeless youth clinic Outside In, started a women’s health clinic, and volunteered with a prisoner support group. She enrolled at Marylhurst College in 1975, and earned independent study credit interviewing neighborhood activists in the East and South. She studied law at University of Houston, and met videographer George Slanina, whom she later married.
Moving back to Portland in 1988, she passed the Oregon bar and did outside legal work for Local 757 and other clients until joining the union as staff attorney in 1991.
Stoner says she’s grateful to have represented bus drivers and mechanics: “They are oriented toward service to others, and they’re always on time,” Stoner said.
If she has one bit of parting advice, it’s a call for unity: “Members need to realize that dissension within the union empowers the employer.”
In retirement, Stoner will spend time at home in Southeast Portland with Slanina and their two dogs: Clancy Puckles, a pug/Jack Russell mix; and Daphne Odora, a pekinese.
She’ll also finish the fifth book in her series of self-published historical mystery novels set amid the labor union ferment of 1900s Portland. Titled Deadline, it deals with a real-life conflict between cattle and sheep ranchers in Central Oregon.
Stoner’s replacement as Local 757 general counsel is Lane Toensmeier.
Susan represented me in a wrongful termination and was brilliant! As we spent hours discussing my case and other transit issues I came to have great respect and admiration for Susan.
Not only is she completely dedicated to justice Susan also is very kind and compassionate.
Susan represented me in three proceedings for the same case and was always better prepared than the district.
Susan is one of my real life hero’s!