In Organized Labor and the Black Worker 1619–1973, the author Philip Foner explains that in 1902 the International Long-shoremen's Union had the highest Black membership in the United States after the United Mine Workers of America. The book contains a number of references to the role of different longshore unions in the fight against racist discrimination.

C.W.
Allentown, Pennsylvania
 
 
Rail workers picket
Upwards of 50 railroad workers, some with spouses and children, picketed the local offices of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway on Wednesday, June 13. The protest, organized by United Transportation Union Local 324, was an informational picket targeting the railroad's "availability" guidelines, which were unilaterally imposed over the last year. This attendance policy makes it much harder for railroad crew members to take time off from work. As the United Transportation Union local's flyer calling for the picket explained, "Railroad crews are tired of being tired."

The picketers pointed to the steady reduction of railroad crew sizes in recent years as rail bosses seek a competitive edge. "The recent runaway train in Ohio," their flyer explained, "is a classic example of too few people doing too many jobs." The rail workers appealed to the public, explaining, "People in communities like yours deserve to have safe, alert, well-rested crews operating these trains through your community."

Spirits on the picket line were high as many workers expressed the view that an action like this was overdue. While no one seemed to expect an immediate change in the railroad's policy, most were encouraged that action was being taken.

Geoff Mirelowitz
Seattle, Washington

The letters column is an open forum for all viewpoints on subjects of interest to working people. Please keep your letters brief. Where necessary they will be abridged. Please indicate if you prefer that your initials be used rather than your full name.  
 
 
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