by Kerry Taylor
In little more than a week, the Charleston sanitation workers have gathered hundreds of signatures in support of their efforts to establish a union to protect their safety and defend their rights on the job. Members of Local 1199, which represents the sanitation workers, and their allies have spread across the city to take their case directly to the voters. The workers are demanding that the City negotiate with the democratically-elected representatives of Local 1199 in order to restore some dignity to the department.
Organizers launched the campaign on April 4 to mark the dark day 41 years ago when the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis. It is sometimes forgotten that Dr. King was murdered while lending his support to the Memphis sanitation workers as they organized for union recognition.
Canvassers will continue their efforts each Saturday morning through May, when the matter is taken up by City Council. Supporters gather at the International Longshoremen’s Association hall (ILA 1422) on 1142 Morrison Dr. at 9am. For those who cannot canvass, please sign the newly available online petition and pass the word along to friends.
http://www.petitiononline.
If you can volunteer or for more information, please contact Mary Moultrie at 843-805-9697 or show up at the ILA hall on Saturdays for the canvass.
