SPEECH Labor unity and overcoming racism

http://transitional.pww.org/article/view/15860/

Author: Richard Trumka
People's Weekly World Newspaper, 06/03/09 12:23



Remarks by Richard L. Trumka, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, at the 38th Annual Convention of the Coalition of Black Trade Unions, Atlanta, Ga., on May 22, 2009.

Thank you.

What a wonderful introduction!

If you don’t mind, later on I’d like to get my wife on the phone so you can read it to her, too!

I see so many old friends here that I’m afraid if I start singling anyone out I’m going to leave someone out.

But I can’t let this moment pass without saying that part of what makes being invited to speak before CBTU such an honor is the man who leads it.

Over the years one thing I’ve discovered is that there are plenty of union officials in this country, but there are very, very few who’ve really earned the title of labor leader.

I’m talking about women and men who share a clarity of vision few of us have.

Individuals guided by a profound commitment to justice … a sense of morality … and the courage to speak truth to power.

Bill Lucy is one of those individuals.

He has never, ever been afraid to do the right thing.

And, because of that, Bill Lucy personifies what the American labor movement ought to be all about.

FULL speech at link.