WASHINGTON, D.C. -– The following statement was issued on January 17 by Sonny Hall, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Martin Luther King dedicated his life and his work to a belief that all Americans should be treated with justice, fairness and dignity. That individuals have worth and that they should have a voice in their communities and at their jobs. That we should speak out to try to right a wrong. He never lived to see his dream come true, nor sadly, has it been fully realized today.
“His legacy guides the transportation labor movement. We believe that we should be treated with respect and appreciation for what our work means to the nation. We believe that we have rights and a voice. A right to a job that you can return home safely from at the end of the day. A right to fair treatment at work and in your community. And in times of economic struggle, that sacrifice is borne by all and borne fairly.
“We can live out Dr. King’s dream through solidarity with workers here at home and abroad and within our industry and outside of it. We face common threats and must take common steps. Writing from a Birmingham jail cell, Dr. King boldly declared, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” These words must drive the labor movement and the nation through these difficult times.
“We face great obstacles to fulfilling Dr. King’s dream. Too many people in the halls of government and in corporate boardrooms take actions that pit people against each other, actions that seek gains for a few at the expense of many. We must reject those who seek to divide us. And we, like Dr. King before us, must have the courage to dream, to take a stand, and to take action.”
TTD represents 35 member unions in the aviation, rail, transit, trucking, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit www.ttd.org.