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FREEDOMWAYS
FOURTH QUARTER 1966

are working there now. There was but a handful in 1963 when we started the campaign. Numerically less but similar gains have been in the railroad industries despite their obvious and steady decline. The Negro in organized labor has an improved economic status and hence can afford to be more politically independent. In such political groupings as the AFL-CIO's Committee on Political Education (COPE) Negroes play leading roles, very often serving as chairman of local committees. This training, experience and placement in strategic political positions can be invaluable in the pursuit and acquisition of real civil rights.

In Chicago we are now about to embark upon a mammoth undertaking on the economic front. It has national possibilities. The civil rights and Negro and white labor leadership is giving direction to its progress. Negro workers are the main troops because the local which they have formed comes out of a segregated working situation. White labor sympathizers are also in the struggle. The target is Saks Fifth Avenue in Chicago. The problems are low wages, poor working conditions and racial discrimination. The workers have organized themselves. The National Labor Relations Board recognizes them as the collective bargaining agent for the non-selling employees of this shop. The company refuses to do so, charging that they refuse to recognize a "segregated" local! In this situation the issues are joined. There are civil rights issues as well as labor issues involved. Because of this the special position which the NALC enjoys can be brought to bear on the situation. We have the know-how in both civil rights and labor matters.

We feel that this is the beginning of a coalition of power on the economic front which will make Dr. King's "dream" realizable. We believe that this power can be more easily transferred to the political front when necessary. This power is real! With this base as a source of economic and political strength, our goal "integration" becomes less necessary or even desirable but probably more accessible.

It seems to me that if we are ever to reduce the mounting frustrations that lead to self-destruction or aimless behavior the civil rights movement must seek new creative ideas and relationships. Labor offers a tremendous possibility. Past experience indicates it can work. If the goal is to raise the standards of living for Negroes and give political strength and sensible direction then the natural ally of the Negro is the labor movement. A ready organization is the experienced group existing in the Negro American Labor Council.

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