Black History Month: Remembering and celebrating labor's black history
February is Black History Month. But for labor unions, the celebrations and remembrance of the struggles and triumphs of our black brothers and sisters is constant. This is because the last century's Black history is so deeply intertwined with the struggles of American workers. And for AFSCME and OCSEA, an AFSCME affiliate, that connection is even deeper.
Fifty-five years ago this month, two Memphis sanitation workers, Robert Walker and Echol Cole, were crushed to death when the gears on their truck malfunctioned. In response, their co-workers–1,300 African American men represented by AFSCME Local 1733–went on strike. It was a signature moment in labor history and Black history.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.traveled to Memphis to speak and show his solidarity. It was unheard of for African American public employees in the south to take such fearless collective action. But poverty wages and demeaning working conditions left them no choice. Dr. KIng's visit, sadly, would cost him his life. But, for the union brothers of AFSCME 1733, his tragic loss was not in vain. The strike ended soon after his death, with the sanitation workers securing a raise, recognition of their union and other important concessions.
OOD Chapter 2538 members attended the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast in Columbus in January. Attendees included chapter activists, above, left to right, Cynthia Lincoln and Sharyn Perry, the chapter's treasurer.
Recently OCSEA members in Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Chapter 2538 wanted to find a way to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the support he'd given union members through his history, "including AFSCME members like us," said Chapter 2538 Vice President Neil Preston.
The Columbus chapter decided to sponsor a table at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast this January, with several members taking advantage of the opportunity to attend the very special event honoring Dr. King's birthday. The chapter hopes to make this sponsorship an annual event, says Neil, to give chapter members a chance to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King on our day off from work. "He is one of my personal heroes, and I was honored to celebrate him at this event," said Neil.
The well-attended event presented several keynote speakers, including Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., Ph.D. from Columbus, who was personally recruited by Dr. King as a 10th grader to attend Morehouse College, MLK’s alma mater. Many years later, Dr. Carter became the Dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel and is currently a tenured Professor of Religion, College Archivist and Curator at Morehouse College.