Williams Witnesses Passing of the Torch at CBTU Convention
Friday, June 7, 2013
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Metro Washington Council President Jos Williams (left) joined 1,000
delegates at the recent Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) convention in
Orlando, Florida. Williams, a CBTU trustee, was a panelist in the international
affairs discussion, which dealt with organizing campaigns and labor rights in
other parts of the world. This year’s CBTU convention was closely watched by
leaders and activists in labor and civil rights organizations, because it was
the first one with Rev. Terry Melvin at the helm. He succeeded his mentor Dr.
William (Bill) Lucy, the most revered black trade unionist since the legendary
A. Philip Randolph. Lucy, whose CBTU title is now president emeritus, was a
co-founder of CBTU and had been its first and only president since 1972. “We
must blend digital age talent with old school wisdom to compete on the new
battlefields, as we re-boot CBTU to get bigger and better and more connected
with our labor and community allies,” said Melvin, who is also
secretary-treasurer of the New York State AFL-CIO. Melvin said CBTU will
continue to be “a reliable voice for progressive change within the labor
movement and a key player in mobilizing African American voters on the national
and local level.” Convention delegates passed dozens of resolutions on issues
including immigration reform, voter suppression tactics, jobs, implementing the
new health care law, stopping the drop-out crisis in the black community and
supporting the commemoration of the 50th anniversary March on Washington. -
report/photos by Dwight Kirk