On April 4, 1968, the world lost a pinnacle in the fight for humanity when our preeminent civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was viciously murdered. Although we are all familiar with his immeasurable struggle for equality and justice, many do not realize that an essential platform for Dr. King's advocacy was a push for worker's rights and the necessity of decent livable wages. Today, as states and municipalities across the nation face devastating budget shortfalls, the labor unions and workers that provide necessary services for us all are once again under attack. The state of New Mexico is unfortunately no different, but together we can intervene and protect the ability of workers to peacefully assemble, organize and demand fair benefits.
On February 10th and 11th, I will be addressing union members, clergy, community organizers and everyday citizens from across New Mexico to discuss the integral relationship between labor movements and civil rights. Joining me at this pivotal two-day conference will be Lee Saunders, International Secretary-Treasurer for AFSCME (the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees). The two central themes of this vital event are: 'Civil Servants: Pillars of a Civil Society' and 'Faces of Public Service: Thanking Those Who Serve Our Community'.
New Mexico, like so many states across the nation, is suffering from some of the largest budget deficits in modern times. Facing a shortfall of an estimated $400 million next year, New Mexico's legislature proposed slashing the state budget and consequentially slashing the basic benefits countless workers dedicated their lives securing. At a time when so many families are struggling to simply put food on their tables, Governor Martinez of New Mexico would like state workers to contribute even more into their own retirement plans. After decades of organizing and pushing for fair pay and decent benefits, those that provide many of the services all New Mexicans greatly rely on are once again being asked to pay for the crimes of others.
When the economic recession of 2008 struck the nation, virtually everyone agreed that Wall St. excesses and corporate greed created a dangerous scenario by which the rich continued to amass wealth, and the working-class/poor suffered increased financial hardship. And today, as unemployment remains disturbingly high, foreclosures continue at alarming rates and the average citizen has to stretch his/her dollars even further, why is the responsibility of rectifying our budgets being unfairly placed on workers? Why must unions be forced to resort back to the days when individuals had no rights and employers could systematically oppress and take advantage of whomever they pleased? And when workers were not the ones responsible for the worst financial calamity ever witnessed since the days of the Great Depression, why must they be the ones to continuously bear the brunt of sacrifice?
On the eve of the horrific murder of Dr. King in Memphis, Tennessee in '68, he addressed sanitation workers and public employees who were members of the local chapter of AFSCME. Fervently pushing for their ability, and the ability of all across the country to organize and demand livable wages, Dr. King gave his life in the struggle for human dignity for all peoples. As Lee Saunders and I gather with union workers and community organizers in New Mexico, let us keep Dr. King's vision and passion alive just as it was decades ago. When states and municipalities work to salvage their budgets, let's ensure that the burden isn't unjustly placed on those that are already suffering the most under these tumultuous times. Let us stand in unison once again.
So who does 'ol Rev. Stuff propose the money come from ? Squeeze it out of the rich people in the state?
Pass a " Rich People Tax to Buy Stuff" bill?
Time the pyramid scheme called public employees retirement join the 21st century and everybody contribute.
The Rev just continues to try to find ways to make himself more relevant , pretty smart for a guy who makes a 6 figure salary for nothing.
AMEN! Rev. Al.
Does this mean you're not for reparations for slavery, Al? Today's and future workers weren't responsible for most of the travesties visited upon the black community, so why should they bear the brunt of the sacrifices reparations would entail? Why should they be asked to "pay for the crimes of others"?
Because you and so many like you are the beneficiaries of the travesties visited upon/against the black community.
When the guy in charge takes more and more money and sacrifices nothing, he then demands that those who getting less and less money pay pay for his execesses, incompetence and greed.
Professor Peter Schuck of Yale echos my sentiments: "The movement for black reparations, however well-intended, is misguided. Indeed, it is perverse in its propensity to discredit the very ideal of corrective justice that it invokes, to aggravate bitterness rather than assuage it, and to make reconciliation more difficult. Our obligation now is to engage with and learn from the past, and then to move forward by turning the page. As we turn it, we must not forget that we are leaving behind an endless catalog of crimes, tears, and scars of the lash, of prejudice, and of poverty. We must leave this human misery and injustice behind, but not out of mind or conscience."
Odds are good that Rev. Sharpton leans more toward this view of the future rather than dwelling on past injustices.
Rev. Brian Morse, Independence, MO
I realize that few remember this young man. I purposefully didn't provide his name in hopes that the curious might do a little research. Then I realized that the passing of time takes its toll on Dr King's legacy, too. When I reread your article, I paused when you wrote "Although we are all familiar with his immeasurable struggle for equality and justice," and realized that there are some who aren't familiar at all. And there are those whose racial hatred blocks them from the light of the spirit.
I noticed a disturbing irony this time. It turns out that the 1965 murder was committed by a man employed as a state highway engineer - a civil servant.
Rev. Sharpton, thoughts of the young man who gave his life have humbled me and I've gained more respect for everything that you, Dr King, and so many others do.
Thank you for your efforts, inspiration, advocacy for workers' rights you're doing today and tomorrow, and especially your fearless leadership in confronting the hate and racist rhetoric in today's broadcasting industry.
God bless.
Public employees enjoy the best of wage, health care and defined benefit programs. That's great, but how exactly do we continue to fund these benefits.
Sorry, SEIU member. If a 401-k is as good as it gets for me and my privately employed peers, what could possibly make a public servant feel entitled to a better deal?
Demagogues like you have created this problem ,and the union leaders and politicians continue to get rich while rank and file members are left to bear the consequences of the fiscal disaster created by big government ponzi schemes like Social Security and other Unfunded Pension Schemes .
The Financial Panic in the GHW (daddy) Bush Administration , the Savings and Loan Scandal had at its core "the Keating Five" if you recall . Those Five senators were Democrats . Remember Cranstan (spelling??) TX , Simon IL , and I forget the rest .
So it is hard to see the ties to the Republican party here . Mainly because the Dem's were in control of the Congress for so long it would be hard for the Republicans to have their hands in that pie .
Oh ! I am an IBEW Member since March 16th , 1983 . I will send you my address if you really want to send money to a union member !