 Prior to his election to the State Senate, Gonzalez worked as the union representative for the Transport Workers Union, and subsequently, the union representative for Local 820 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1969 until 1979, which was during his employment at Brinks Armored Car Service.Gonzalez was married on July 20, 1969 and has four children with his wife.He and his first wife divorced in March 1987.