I am extremely happy to announce that President Henry Nicholas has appointed me national organizing director of the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees 1199. I am thrilled!
Many of you will know that President Nicholas has long been a fighter for racial, social, and economic justice. The union he’s built is militant, member-centered, and very committed to organizing.
President Nicholas became one of my heroes in 1969 when he went to the heart of the Old Deep South to organize hospital workers and led a four month long strike that included his hotel room being bombed, 45 days in jail on a diet of grits and water, and a real movement for racial, social, and economic justice.
Later he staged a three month hunger strike to try to force a Medicaid increase so members of his union could get a pay raise. For a young progressive in the south, Henry was an awe inspiring organizer.
He was one of the key leaders linking the labor movement and the civil rights movement in the wake of Dr. King’s assassination.
As is all organizing, the challenge to grow will be difficult, but I am so happy to get back to day to day organizing people.
Today in America we need so many more unions happy and willing to fight for members and for the unorganized. We need many more unions and allied organizations in the streets raising hell about historic inequality and its toxic effect on democracy.
I went to the monthly delegates assembly the other night and hadn’t heard so much talk of strikes in a very long time. This union is organizing all over the country.
I will continue writing every day. Please don’t hesitate to call me if you need me.
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