|
The
2003 UAW Region 8 Civil Rights Conference was called to order at 8:00AM
on May 4, 2003. This year’s conference is being held at the Radisson
Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama, home to many important events in the Civil
Rights struggle. The city’s history plays a significant role in
the long campaign to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, guaranteeing the
rights of all Americans to the promise and ideals that America is. The
freedoms on which our country was founded must include everyone to realize
the full potential of our creed.
The UAW has a long history with Civil Rights,
with President Walter Reuther marching along side Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. through the streets of Birmingham as well as Selma during the 1960s.
While the Civil Rights Act was a beginning, the struggle continues today.
Civil Rights cover all segments of society. Each of us have the same basic
rights, regardless of race, creed, sex, religion or economic standing.
Because we all have these rights, each of us can stand in danger of having
our civil rights violated.
“Recent events facing our Country have brought us economic recession,
higher unemployment, a loss of personal freedoms, and in infringement
of civil rights,” states UAW Region 8 Director Gary Casteel. “Americans
have few places to turn for help other than organized labor. While service
to our membership remains one of our primary responsibilities, more emphasis
must be placed on strengthening our Union and the labor movement. This
can only be accomplished through education, collective action, political
action and organizing. The role of the activist is as large today as it
has ever been throughout our recent history. Our objective in this conference
is to ignite your spirit to take your personal role as activist seriously,
by presenting a conference in our rich history of civil rights, while
providing the necessary skills and knowledge to perform your duties and
widen your perspective on the importance of activism.”
Region 8 Assistant Director Donny Bevis opened the conference with a welcome
to everyone to his hometown. Member Felton Lancaster offered the invocation
and welcoming remarks. Our troops in the Middle East were recognized prior
to the pledge of allegiance. Introduction of delegates came next with
Larry Crocker of Local 1832 in Madison, Tennessee issuing thanks to the
Region from his membership. Local 1832 members have been locked out of
their jobs at Peterbilt since September 02, 2003.
“Civil rights, political action and organizing are tied at the hip,”
stated Region 8 Director Gary Casteel. “I want you to leave here
has an activist and carry the message back to your membership.”
The first speaker of the day was Stephen
Foster Black, grandson of former Supreme Court Judge Hugh
Black. Hugh Black was a tireless advocate of civil rights, standing firm
on carry out the federal laws concerning civil rights. “We should
be angry about what is happening in this country,” Stephen Black
stated. “Tax holes allow these multinational corporations to move
the home offices offshore to avoid paying federal taxes. It is estimated
that we lose $40 billion a year in taxes due to this. This is a moral
issue that we all should be aware of. It is up to each of us to take a
stand. There is a story that a man was troubled by the events of the world.
In his struggles he asked God, “Why don’t you send someone
to help, to which God answered, “ I did – sent you.”
The next speaker was AFLCIO Southern
Regional Director Ken Johnson. “I would like to commend
Region 8 for holding this meeting in Birmingham,” Director Johnson
stated. “Dr. King used to say the south is a great place, but it
could be a greater place. We have made progress in organizing over the
past few years, but union density is declining because we are losing members
at a greater rate than we are winning new ones. We are finding more friends
in city governments, because they are beginning to see the correlation
between a union card and better pay and benefits.”
The morning session of the conference moved to the historic 16th
Street Baptist Church. The church has a 130-year tradition,
but was brought to national attention during the Civil Rights Movement,
when a bomber destroyed the building, killing four little girls in the
process. Region 8 Civil Rights Conference Delegates attending the Sunday
morning services, including inspiring music and a stirring message from
Pastor Rev. Arthur Price, Jr. Rev. Price delivered a message from Galatians
concerning dealing with the trials in our lives.
Following the service, delegates reconvened at the convention hotel for
a workshop on the UAW and civil rights, conducted by Tom Muchler of the
International Civil Rights Department.
On Monday, Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid and State Representatives
Charles Steel and Reverend Orange addressed the group. Wendy Fields-Jacobs
of the National Organizing Department presented a workshop on organizing
training.
The conference concluded on May 6, with speakers Professor Glen Feldman,
Director of the Civil Rights Department Ron Hughes, and Assistant Director
of the National CAP Department Catherine Browder. Director Gary Casteel
will wrap up the conference, followed by a visit to the Civil Rights Institute
of Birmingham.
Civil Rights are about everyone’s rights, regardless of race, creed,
sex or other orientation. We should stand firm in our resolve to protect
the rights of all people. That is what the union is all about.
|
