Thoughts and Reflections on the Teamster / UPS Holiday

[hdub]

On this day of celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King and his life of service and sacrifice, we must also take a long, hard look at a dream deferred; Martin’s dream!! Unfinished business!! For many Americans of Color, especially members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, equality/inequality (unequal/unjust distribution of resources and opportunity) still remains on the table.
As we reflect on this day, we must also reflect on what has not been done. On April 8, 2008, TDU stated that our great union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, should have a leadership that reflected its membership. But our union’s leadership still does not look like our membership. There has been some progress, but a lot remains to be done. The General Executive Board consists of three members of color and one Trustee. There are 1.3 million Teamsters with 60% white, 16% Latino and 15% Afro American (31% of the membership.) The General Executive Board consists of 26 members, 2 VPs are African American males, 1 VP is Latino and 1 African American Trustee, which together equal 6.5% of the Board, a far cry from 31%. Obviously, this is not a reflection of the membership. Dr. King stated that “membership without a seat at the decision-making table is second-class citizenship.” Our reality today is still second-class citizenship.
Today, transparency and openness continue to be a problem with the leadership of the IBT. Just this past week, the IBT agreed to pay 2.9 million dollars to 13 Teamsters of Color alleging racial discrimination. Why does this happen and why has this not been talked about openly by our leadership? I strongly suggest that the IBT Human Rights and Diversity Commission, as well as the TDU Black Caucus, TDU Hispanic Caucus and TNBC (Teamster National Black Caucus) address these issues of racial discrimination openly and honestly. By doing so, Dr. King’s Dream will come closer to fruition. Having a paid holiday does not address these issues. There is still unfinished business and work to do. The Struggle Continues!!
In Solidarity!
Howard Williamson, 36 Years UPS, Retired Second Generation Teamster

[Nickjamesups]

Agreed , it is great that it’s now a paid holiday but the fight shouldn’t stop there .

[Nights]

On this day of celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King and his life of service and sacrifice, we must also take a long, hard look at a dream deferred; Martin’s dream!! Unfinished business!! For many Americans of Color, especially members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, equality/inequality (unequal/unjust distribution of resources and opportunity) still remains on the table.
As we reflect on this day, we must also reflect on what has not been done. On April 8, 2008, TDU stated that our great union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, should have a leadership that reflected its membership. But our union’s leadership still does not look like our membership. There has been some progress, but a lot remains to be done. The General Executive Board consists of three members of color and one Trustee. There are 1.3 million Teamsters with 60% white, 16% Latino and 15% Afro American (31% of the membership.) The General Executive Board consists of 26 members, 2 VPs are African American males, 1 VP is Latino and 1 African American Trustee, which together equal 6.5% of the Board, a far cry from 31%. Obviously, this is not a reflection of the membership. Dr. King stated that “membership without a seat at the decision-making table is second-class citizenship.” Our reality today is still second-class citizenship.
Today, transparency and openness continue to be a problem with the leadership of the IBT. Just this past week, the IBT agreed to pay 2.9 million dollars to 13 Teamsters of Color alleging racial discrimination. Why does this happen and why has this not been talked about openly by our leadership? I strongly suggest that the IBT Human Rights and Diversity Commission, as well as the TDU Black Caucus, TDU Hispanic Caucus and TNBC (Teamster National Black Caucus) address these issues of racial discrimination openly and honestly. By doing so, Dr. King’s Dream will come closer to fruition. Having a paid holiday does not address these issues. There is still unfinished business and work to do. The Struggle Continues!!
In Solidarity!
Howard Williamson, 36 Years UPS, Retired Second Generation Teamster

Human Rights Commission, TDU Black Caucus, TNBC and Hispanic Caucus you won't hear a word from any of them about the thirteen "allegedly" fired because of race. So allegedly that its costing the union $2.9 million to settle out of court.. Sorry Brother Williamson prepare to be disappointed, those organizations are mostly about the trips.

[OT+]

Teamsters on X BEYOND THE KING WE REMEMBER  MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS REVOLUTION The #Teamsters Human Righ.jpg
Teamsters on X BEYOND THE KING WE REMEMBER  MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS REVOLUTION The #Teamsters Human Righ (1).jpg
The latest from Teamster Human Rights and Diversity Confrence.