by Gregory Floyd
The recent article in the New York Times entitled: ”55 Years Ago, Tragedy in Memphis Transformed Labor Movement “ by Kurtis Lee, was a real eye opener. It discussed the sanitation workers’ strike in Memphis, Tennessee, in which Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who had embarked on his “Poor People’s Campaign”, joined the strikers, and was assassinated. As Lee noted: “The tragedy was a culmination of slow-burning indignities for the Black sanitation workers of Memphis. They earned low wages to lug heavy, open tubs of refuse to their trucks. Rotting garbage seeped into their skin and clothes. Their white colleagues, who were often drivers, showered at the depot at the end of shifts. But the Black collectors were forced to ride the bus or walk home in their dank clothes covered in flecks of trash and maggots.”
HPT Graduates and Housing Business Agent Jaleesa Moye (front center). | Special Assistant to the President Ken Roper addressed the graduates.
On December 7, 2023, a ceremony was held in honor of the 69 graduates of Local 237’s “Fundamentals of Heating Operations” course given by the Education and Training Department.
(l-r) Newly elected Shop Stewards CUNY Peace Officer Banks and Sgt. Lopez from Kingsborough Community College. | Cynthia Taylor Caretaker J. is a proud union member and enjoys being a Shop Steward. She is very thankful to be a Teamster and play a roll in servicing our members. She is looking forward to this upcoming year to continue to make a difference.