The demonstration was organized by the Black Telephone Workers for Justice (BTWFJ), a group formed one year ago. They work at Verizon and are members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 827. The workers are demanding that the company make Martin Luther King's birthday a paid holiday.

At a rally held after the march, Ron Washington, president of the organization, explained that they have been successful in getting the union local to officially support this demand and to fight for it to be in their contract, which expires next year. "We don't just want this as a paid holiday for Verizon workers," he added, "but for all workers."

IBEW Local 827 president Dominic Turdo, who also spoke at the event, said, "I am happy to be invited to speak here. Our local is in full support of making Martin Luther King's birthday a paid holiday."

Hassan Abdus-Sabur, a 28-year-old telephone worker who is vice president of the BTWFJ, told the Militant, "The most significant thing is that we got 90 percent of the workers at the two garages where we work to take off." He said some of the union officials carried BTWFJ signs and a few of his co-workers who missed the demonstration told him they planned to participate next year.

Among those participating in the action were nursing home workers, members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). They came with their union banner and one SEIU official spoke at the rally. Larry Adams, president of Mailhandlers Local 300, also spoke on behalf of his union.

Other speakers included representatives from the People's Organization for Progress, the Newark Coalition of Neighborhoods, the Socialist Workers Party, and civil rights attorney Arthur Kinoy.

Nancy Rosenstock is a member of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees.  
 
 
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