On February 10, 2009 in Oakland, California Amtrak held a ceremony to celebrate African American Heritage Month and honor the contributions of the Pullman Porters to the civil rights movement. The Pullman Porters were part of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters that merged into TCU in 1978. The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters “A champion of civil rights,” International President Bob Scardelletti proudly states, was founded in 1925 and was the first labor union led by African-Americans to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor. “Having their legacy continue in our union today is a great source of pride and harmony,” said Scardelletti. The merger in 1978 is the reason for TCU’s membership in Amtrak’s On-Board Service Workers Council.
Click here to read Amtrak’s statement.
For more information about the Pullman Porters please visit the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum website www.aphiliprandolphmuseum.com.
Posted February 12, 2009
