A free and progressive trade union movement in the 21st century should
and must reflect greater participation of black trade unionists at every
level of its decision-making process. This is no less true in todayıs
globalized workplace then in Americaıs industrial heyday, when black workers
were basically a source of cheap labor. Therefore, as black trade unionists,
we have an important role to fulfill helping all workers benefit from
the goals achieved by the trade union movement.
There
are more than 2.5 million black workers in organized labor (nearly half
of them women) the single largest organization of African Americans
in the nation. One of every five black workers (20%) belongs to a union.
The evidence is overwhelming that the economic status of unionized black
workers in terms of higher wages, improved working conditions and better
benefits, like pensions and health insurance represents a significant
force within the black community and in organized labor.
The
trade union movement is probably the only broad-based organization that
spans the entire black community. Yet, as trade unionists, we are part
of a broad community whose resources have never been fully or consistently
organized. Consequently, it remains our challenge, as black trade unionists,
to make the labor movement more relevant to the needs and aspirations
of black and poor workers.
The
Coalition is not a black separatist or civil rights organization. It will
work within the framework of the trade union movement to maximize the
strength and influence of black workers.
Today,
more black leaders hold key positions in the political machinery of the
labor movement, thus holding the critical balance of political power in
this nation. As black trade unionists, we adamantly believe that it is
our responsibility to constructively harness and use the expertise and
power of this untapped political resource. To that end, CBTU will continue
to insist that black union officials become full partners in the leadership
and decision-making of the American labor movement. We welcome your participation.
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