Dexter L. Lewis Papers

Dexter L. Lewis was born in Osakis, Minnesota, in 1903. In 1936 he worked as a driver for Owl Truck and Materials Company, Compton, California. He became a shop steward for Teamsters Local 692 and, following that, a business agent for Teamsters Local 208. In March 1938 Lewis was put in charge of a strike at Pacific Freight Lines. In July of that year the Los Angeles District Attorney raided the offices of Local 208, seized records and began an investigation of Lewis and other local officers over alleged “goon squad” activities. Lewis and others were charged with conspiracy to extort and commit assault. Lewis was found guilty and given a 10-year jail sentence but this was reduced to 10 years of probation. In 1939 he became secretary of the Highway Drivers Council of California and was an international organizer for Southern California. In 1942 he became an IBT general organizer and director of the Central States Drivers Council. In 1944 he became president of Teamsters Local 1394, Memphis. Lewis became chairman of the Southern Conference of Teamsters Over-the-Road and Freight Division as well as Southern Teamsters international representative in 1947. He subsequently lost the local president position and was discharged as international rep. After his career with the IBT, Dexter Lewis worked as a salesman, selling car insurance and furniture. He died in Ocotber 1987 in Covina, California.