[youtube OWO2IqjCil0]
That very vision brought together nearly 500 union activists, including TWU members from around the country, in Cincinnati for the annual AFL-CIO Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance on Jan. 13-17.
At a time when Dr. Kings’s dream is being threatened by high unemployment, rising inequality and an attack on workers, the Dr. King weekend was an opportunity to build unity, demonstrate collective power and empower people to keep the movement alive.
“Yes it is a crisis, but we are always ready and suited up to fight back to ensure that there is equality and social justice in this country,” said AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker during a town hall meeting. “We do it because we believe in it and we do it because Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would expect no less of everyone of us.”
The TWU has long been a pioneer in civil rights and has been involved with the AFL-CIO’s Dr. King observance since the event’s inception. This year TWU continued to play an active role with leaders and members representing locals from across the country participating.
“The TWU has been rooted in civil rights since the beginning with our leader Mike Quill who was a big component of the civil rights movement,” said TWU International Director of Human Rights and Chair of the Women’s Committee Sandra Burleson. “Just like Dr. King set a legacy, our leader set a legacy for unions and the TWU to continue the fight for equal rights for all working people,”
The busy four-day celebration, featuring workshops, community service projects, and rallies, was held in Cincinnati because of the city’s important civil rights history as a key stop along the Underground Railroad and the ongoing struggles for equality.
National labor, civil rights and faith leaders along with Ohio activists, workers and politicians spoke about the legacy of Dr. King and his strong belief in the right of workers to organize. The conference highlighted the connections between labor and human rights and called for a unified movement to defend all working people. Speakers discussed current issues such as the attack on public workers, healthcare reform and job creation.
“With visionary leaders, the civil rights and labor movements came to understand that we share common interests, common values, common goals and yes, common enemies,” said Wade Henderson, President and CEO Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, during his keynote address. “Whenever any American is forced to suffer from discrimination or exploitation we are all demeaned or diminished.”
A panel discussion and small group sessions were also held to explore immigration issues and brainstorm ways for the labor movement to take action. “Immigrants are just trying to make a living for themselves like everyone else,” said Travis Turner, TWU Local 514. “ As Dr. King taught us, we are all in the same boat and if one goes down then we all go down.”
“Just being out here I have learned how important it is to keep the movement going,” said Curtis Brown, Local 555. “ Without the things that Dr. King and other leaders have done we would not have the rights we enjoy today. We have to keep the fight going and moving forward.”
Meanwhile, for many attendees, the event was about more than the just the official program, but an opportunity to learn about the experiences of other unions and communities, share strategies and build solidarity.
“We get to compare notes with one another and have conversations about what is going on at my local and what is going on at your local,” said Louis King, Executive Board TWU Local 514. “We discuss how we handle the challenges and how we are getting through.”
Attendees also put their words into action and showed support for Ohio’s working families by participating in a energetic town hall meeting and marching to a candlelight vigil in front of city hall.
As they sang songs and union chants, attendees gathered in the bitter cold at the candlelight vigil to listen to workers tell their stories and to speak out against the attack on unions and public workers, attacks led by newly elected Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich.
“We stand ready for the fight and are pleased that you are here tonight with us to help send a message that we are not going to allow the rights of workers to be taken back so easily,” said Ohio AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Pierrette Talley in front of the crowd.
Talley was referring to the Cincinnati city government’s attempt to privatize sanitation workers because of Ohio’s budget deficit, a symbolic gesture given Dr. King died in 1968 while supporting unionizing sanitation workers in Memphis, Tenn.
However, the pressure of hundreds of union and civil rights activists from around the country descending on the city forced the city council to back down and saved hundreds of jobs.
“Marching through the streets gives you a lot of pride,”said Tracy Hardin, Local 514. “Here we were 400 or 500 strong marching for one cause, one movement,” “We had an effect and brought the message to the public.”
The weekend’s event culminated in a community breakfast and a parade of unions, community groups and young people through the streets of downtown Cincinnati celebrating the city’s connection to Dr. King and the dream of racial equality.
“We’ve come a long way with human rights, but we still have a long way to go,” said Ralph Darnell, Financial Secretary Treasurer TWU Local 555. “You can’t stop fighting.”