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Amalgamated Transit Union 56th Convention

(A. Philip Randolph Institute)

Monday, September 27, 2010 - Afternoon Session

The Convention reconvened at 1:35 p.m. with International Secretary-Treasurer Oscar Owens serving as chair. Owens introduced the first speaker of the afternoon, Clayola Brown, president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute.

As the first woman to hold the position of APRI president, Brown expressed pride in her association with ATU throughout the years, especially recently when ATU members in St. Louis, MO, and Oakland, CA, helped transport entire APRI delegations across town for their conference.

APRI’s focus this year, she said, was increasing youth participation which she proudly announced recently topped 125, up from a mere five to 10 young members.

One of the biggest challenges of the economic downturn is unemployment. Th e national unemployment rate of 9.7% pales in comparison to the 16% rate for communities of color and 13% for Latinos. “We are broke and hurting,” she said. The pressure on families is on the rise, with grown children and extended family moving back home. Family budgets are stretched to the limit.

A unified labor movement is the key, she said, to worker rights and good benefits.

A. Philip Randolph had a vision for people of color in the labor movement. The sleeping car porters were warriors for Labor in the past and we need that union attitude now more than ever. She appealed to the delegates to show up for the One Nation demonstration in Washington, DC, on October 2, and avidly work the polls until the November elections.

Click Here to Download : ATU 56th Convention Daily Proceedings