FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2011
For More Information, Contact: Dwight Kirk (202) 257-3966
CBTU Celebrates 40 Years
of Struggle and Success
Call
to Action Highlights 40th Anniversary Convention in
In his keynote speech to the
delegates, CBTU President William “Bill” Lucy explained why CBTU has been so
successful over four decades. “We had
heated but civil debates on the issues of the day and put our minds together.
We agreed on a message. We created a
program of action. Then we returned home to organize our co-workers and our
communities. That blueprint that has helped CBTU survive longer than any other
black labor organization in American history.”
Lucy, who is a
co-founder of CBTU and has been its first and only president since its
inception in 1972, recalled other CBTU pioneers. Folks like Charlie Hayes,
Nelson Jack Edwards and Cleve Robinson. Folks like Horace Sheffield, Jim Bell,
and Geraldine Johnson. He also recognized living legends like Bill Simons – a
co-founder of CBTU and Rev. Addie Wyatt.
But Lucy, who retired last year as international secretary-treasurer of
the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) after
a trailblazing tenure of 57 years, warned delegates not be content with helping
to put a black man in the White House.
”There are devious and destructive forces at work across
Lucy noted that
the anti-worker agenda of conservative politicians and big business pose an
even greater threat to African American families and communities dealing with
depression level unemployment and a poverty rate of 25% -- three times the rate
for white families.
“Either we mobilize or we will be mowed down for problems we
didn’t create in state after state. Either we strengthen our partnerships in
the community and with our allies or we will become an easy target to
scapegoat, isolate and punish,” Lucy warned.
With the stakes so high in the 2012 elections, Lucy urged
delegates to attend a special “Call to Action Conference” in December. This political
conference with other CBTU allies will be held in
Lucy blasted folks like Donald Trump who are quick to blame President Obama for every major problem but can’t muster the decency or patriotism to praise his amazing accomplishments, like passing health care reform.
“Thank you, Mr. President,” Lucy said, “for creating 1.1
million jobs in 2010 alone – more than the entire eight years of George W.
Bush. Thank you, Mr. President for marrying a beautiful and brilliant First
Lady and for making the White House truly the People’s House again. Thank you,
Mr. President for getting Osama bin Laden – finally!”
Accolades also rained down on Lucy, who had his own special
night during the 40th anniversary festivities. Hundreds of delegates
attended the “Bill Lucy Celebration” – a “house party” in a ballroom. Terry
Melvin, CBTU Region 1 Representative and the emcee for the Lucy Celebration,
said, “Tonight, we’re here to party and celebrate the ‘gift’ of Bill Lucy’s
friendship and leadership. I say ‘gift’ because Mr. Lucy is such a great leader
that he could be the CEO of a global company, or the president of a major
foundation, or a
Lucy, who remains CBTU’s
president and a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council, received several
special gifts, including a framed letter of congratulations from the President
of South Africa and the head of the African National Congress (ANC). The
Chicago CBTU Chapter presented Lucy with a custom-made gold lapel pin in the
shape of
Then the party was on.
Welcome to the website of CBTU, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. CBTU is the fiercely independent voice of Black Workers within the Trade Union Movement.
40 Years of Struggle
& Success
The Fight is On!The Fight is On!
Watch the 2010 Convention Webcast
2007 Convention featuring
President Obama
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Leonard C Ball &
James H Bell
Scholarship Fund
CBTU Act against AIDS Leadership Initiative Program
Every 9 1/2 minutes someone is infected with HIV / AIDS.
Click here for details.
Union-to-Union relief effort supports Haitian workers. Click here to read more.