Some 20 Seafarers in Houston two months ago secured their places in history by participating in the first ever national AFL-CIO observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in Texas.
While recognizing his contributions to the nation and to humanity as a whole, the federation’s observance primarily was focused on the slain civil rights leader’s solidarity with the union movement. At the time of his assassination in 1968, Dr. King was in Memphis supporting sanitation workers who were fighting to form a union.In the spirit of remembering that support, various events involving international union leaders, membership mobilizations, worker education and advocacy, and community service projects were conducted.
“We can’t just celebrate Martin,” said the Rev. Joseph Lowery, president emeritus, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), in remarks he made during opening ceremonies. “We must use this holiday as an opportunity to challenge our nation to honor its commitment to King’s vision of equality.” Lowery, with King, co-founded the SCLC.
In addition to Lowery, the list of guest speakers making appearances during the events included: AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka; AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson; Bill Lucy, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Norman Hill, president emeritus of the A. Philip Randolph Institute; and Nat LaCour, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers. Officials from the Texas AFL-CIO, the Harris County Central Labor Council and unions affiliated with the federation also participated in the week’s events.
Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey and Assistant Vice President Gulf Coast Jim McGee headed the contingent of SIU officials and rank-and-file members who participated in various activities staged during the Jan. 11-15 celebration. Both marched in the Martin Luther King Grande Parade. They were joined by other SIU officials from the Houston hall and members who proudly displayed the SIU colors. Among those joining Corgey and McGee were: ITF Inspector Swhe Aung, Patrolmen Mike Russo and Jimmy White, Skhin Naing, Jose Clotter, Ronald Davis, Ralph Moore, James Wheat, William Sowell, Stephen Treece, Frank Strong and Andrew Lopez. As a group, they all marched behind the AFL-CIO float. The federation’s parade entries also included two city sanitation trucks which served as reminders to onlookers that Dr. King was assassinated while working to help sanitation workers in their struggle to gain union representation.
White, who also serves as SIU safety director in Houston, and Aung, a rep for the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, represented the union during a civil rights forum, a lead event during the week. Each attended a workshop which focused on attacks on voting rights.
Featured events during the rest of the week—in addition to the parade and forum—included reports on the AFL-CIO’s Rebuilding New Orleans Projects; updates on Zimbabwe trade unions; community service projects; and worship services.
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