Voting Rights Threats Bring Marchers Back to Selma

Thousands of marchers from the civil, labor and human rights community are expected to take part in a five-day march commemorating the historic 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, AL. The 52-mile march will follow the original route and highlight the current revival of GOP voter suppression efforts at the state and national level.

IAM's Connection to Black History Month

The recently released movie Red Tails details the accomplishments and contribution made by African-American pilots commonly known as the Tuskegee Airmen.  These famed airmen fought against the enemy in the air and against racism and segregation on the ground.  Their patriotism and combat success led to military integration in 1948 when President Truman's Executive Order 9981.

The Tuskegee Airmen are often referred to as the Red Tails, or Red Tail Angels, due to the distinct red tail of their aircraft.  Many Red Tail missions were flown in the P-51 Mustang.  An aircraft built by what is now The Boeing Company.  Following the war, many Tuskegee Airmen were employed as civilians in the aircraft industry.  International President R. Thomas Buffenbarger is said to have apprenticed under a former Tuskegee Airmen in IAM Local Lodge 912. 

Among other significant African-Americans in aeronautics was Bessie Coleman, the first black woman in the world to earn her pilot's license.  It is said she paved the way for the Tuskegee Airmen to fly.  Additionally, African-American women working in the factories building the planes played a large part in the war effort.  Among these black Rosie the Riveters were IAM members from District Lodge 751 (pictured right).

Detailed history of the Tuskegee Airmen can be found on the Tuskegee University website.

Celebrating 50 Years of Collective Bargaining

Fifty years ago, federal employees obtained the right to engage in collective bargaining when President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 10988, "Employee-Management Cooperation in the Federal Sector." Secretary Solis and Deputy Secretary Harris joined Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, labor union leaders, and others for a reception Tuesday celebrating the order's anniversary. In her remarks, Solis noted, "In America, perhaps our most basic value is a belief that hard work should be respected. It is my honor to celebrate our federal workers and to celebrate the history of bipartisanship — from Kennedy to Nixon to Ford to Carter — that gave them a voice on the job."

50th Anniversary website

The above info received from the Dept. of Labor

Solis Honored at MLK Event

Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis accepted the "At the River I Stand" Award as part of the AFL-CIO Martin Luther King Jr Labor Observance festivities.  Secretary Solis vowed not to stand silent while, "collective bargaining rights are under attack; not when middle class jobs are under attack; not when voting rights, immigrant rights, and human rights are under attack. Not when right-wing politicians appear on our TVs every night, attack our President and try to convince the American people to turn back the clock on the progress we have made. We can't afford to fall backward. Progress is made by marching forward!"

Read the full text of her remarks

1 Million Signatures to Recall Walker

The efforts to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker progressed forward as volunteers submitted 1 million signatures in support of the initiative.

Read More

Voter ID Legislation Wall of Shame

State voter photo ID laws and other suppressive legislation have swept the nation recently, threatening to roll back the hard-won right of every American citizen to participate freely in our Nation's democratic processes.  These newly enacted laws disenfranchise many voters including minorities, low-income persons, senior citizens, voters with disabilities and students. 

See how your state ranks on the Voter ID issue:  Wall of Shame

2012 MLK Labor Observance

This year, members of the labor community are traveling to Detroit, Michigan to celebrate the many ways Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., helped improve the society in which we live.  In his life, and death, Dr. King brought about awareness to the injustices of discrimination and prejudice.  Labor's goals align with Dr. King's "Dream."  Annually, on the anniversary of his birth, Labor plans a multi-day celebration to honor him.  Events include a community service day, speakers, workshops, marches and more. 

Download the 2012 MLK Agenda

Downloak MLK speaches to labor

The Life and Legacy of MLK

Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist and prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement. His main legacy was to secure progress on civil rights in the United States, and he has become a human rights icon.  While addressing the AFL-CIO Convention in December 1961, King said: 

"Negroes are almost entirely a working people. There are pitifully few Negro millionaires, and few Negro employers. Our needs are identical with labor's needs — decent wages,  fair working conditions, livable housing, old age security, health and welfare measures, conditions in which families can grow, have education for their children and respect in the community. That is why Negroes support labor's demands and fight laws which curb labor. That is why the labor-hater and labor-baiter is virtually always a twin-headed creature spewing anti-Negro epithets from one mouth and anti-labor propaganda from the other mouth."                                                                                      -- AFL-CIO Convention, December 1961 

 King’s legacy is remembered each year by the labor community through their MLK Jr. Observance Celebration.  This year union members will gather in Detroit, Michigan.

Civil Rights History

Did you know the need for civil rights and equality in America began in 1619 when the first 20 African slaves were sold to settlers in Virginia?  Then, more than 200 years later in 1831 Nat Turner would lead a group of slaves to revolt against their oppressors? Further, it was more than 100 years later (1957) before 9 African American students were admitted to Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas and even within the last decade there has been a need for legislation to guarantee basic civil rights for various groups within our country.

There is much more to learn about the history of civil rights in the United States.  Read the chronological timeline of the Civil Rights Movement and discover other significant events and individuals instrumental in securing equal rights for all.

Accompany the Freedom Riders on a Virtual Bus Tour

The Voices of Civil Rights Bus left Washington DC to embark on a 70-day journey which followed part of the 1961 Freedom Rides to Jackson Misssippi, then proceeded to visit other historic sites in the battle for civil rights.  Along the way, nearly 200,000 ordinary citizens attended Voices of Civil Rights events, and thousands shared their personal stories about America's quest for equality. The spirit of this unprecedented journey is preserved through photographs, videos, and regular reports from the road in tribute to those who generously shared a part of history that must never be forgotten.

Click here to follow the tour

IAM Members Complete Labor Leadership Institute

Three IAM members were among the group of 50 union members who gathered from all over the country to complete their final session and graduate from the AFL-CIO's Leadership Institute.  Learn more about these participants and the Labor Leadership Institute.

Civil Rights Groups Petition Against Voter Suppression Action

The largest civil rights group in America, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is petitioning the UN over what it sees as a concerted efforted to disenfranchise black and Latino voters ahead of next year's presidential election.

The organisation will this week present evidence to the UN high commissioner on human rights of what it contends is a conscious attempt to "block the vote" on the part of state legislatures across the US. Next March the NAACP will send a delegation of legal experts to Geneva to enlist the support of the UN human rights council.

Immigrant Workers Support "Occupy" Movement

As the "Occupy" Movement takes hold in various cities across the United States, strong support is coming from the immigrant worker community.  Immigrant workers often find the value of their labor minimalized and have joined "Occupy" protests in order to seek protections and justice in the workplace. 

(Right: Southern California janitors block the streets to protest the firing of immigrant workers. Photo: David Bacon)

Read the article

Ohio Fights Against Voter Suppression

State legislators and activists in Ohio last month scored an important victory in the ongoing struggle to protect voting rights.  Ohio's controversial new elections law was suspended after a coalition submitted over 300,000 signatures to put the law on the fall 2012 ballot.
 
The law prohibits counties from mailing out unsolicited absentee ballot applications, closes the "golden week" window when people can register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day, and reduces the number of days voters can vote in person at a county elections board. Unlike many other state voter suppression laws, Ohio's does not yet include a photo identification requirement, but such legislation is pending in the Senate.

IAM Human Rights Conference Highlights

The IAM Human Rights Department hosted its Inaugural Human Rights Conference last month in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.  Nearly 400 delegates convened to share stories, ideas, attend workshops and learn the importance of Human Rights to the Labor Movement.  Workers' Rights are Human Rights.  That message resonated throughout conference events. 

National Action Network Founder and CEO Rev. Al Sharpton wowed the croud as the key note speaker, receiving four standing ovations throughout his comments.  Click here for photo highlights.

Labor Supports Rights for Native Americans

The AFL-CIO is fighting to add a new constituency group for Native Americans to its roster. Backing and supporting the effort are the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and a group called Council Fire, Kevin Cummings noted, in a presentation to the National LCAA Conference in August.

Cummings, a representative for IAM, commented that, despite being the first people to live on the land that is now America, Native Americans have essentially gotten the short end of the stick in terms of rights, recognition, health, and more.

Council Fire is a group that seeks to solve this problem by including the First Nations of the Americas into the labor movement. As of now, labor has recognized constituency groups that tackle important issues for women, Blacks, Latinos, Asians, and the LGBT community. However, to date there is no significant voice representing Native Americans and Alaskan Natives.

Click more to read entire article.  Reprinted from Peoples World.

Labor Newsletters -- Don't Miss an Issue

Valuable information comes from many sources.  Below are links to electronic newsletters which feature stories on a variety of topics concerning women's rights, human rights and family issues.

Labor Project for Working Families                                                               Women's Bureau E-News

The Disability Connection                                                                           OWL Observer (Older Women's League)

Civil Rights News                                                                                       The Deptartment of Labor Newsletter

Women's Bureau -- A Valuable Resource

The Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor was created by law in 1920 to formulate standards and policies to promote the welfare of wage-earning women, improve their working conditions, increase their efficiency and advance their opportunities for profitable employment.

Currently under the direction of Sara Manzano-Diaz, the Women's Bureau's vision is to empower all working women to achieve economic security through the mission of developing standards and conducting inquiries to safeguard the interests of working women; advocating for their equality and economic security for themselves and their families.

See what's new on the Women's Bureau Publication Page

Like-Minded Organizations

There are many organizations whose missions and goals mirror that of the IAM Women's and Human Rights Department.  Often, the IAM works in tendum with these organizations on common issues of concern to achieve a favorable outcome or show our support by attending conferences and conventions.  Members of Women's Committees and Human Rights Committees are encouraged to get involved with these like-minded organizations in their areas and to build alliances with them when working on common issues such as Employee Free Choice Act, Ending Domestic Violence, Healthcare Reform, etc.  Read more to learn about some of these organizations and link to their webpages.

AFL-CIO Constituency Groups

Building a strong relationship with like-minded organizations is an integral part to accomplishing our mission of ensuring discrimination and harassment free work places.  Among these like-minded organizations within the AFL-CIO Constituency community are:  A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI), Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) and Pride at Work (P@W).