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BLACK POWER IN STEEL
POWERS

department by department and came up with the undisputable evidence: there were practically no Blacks or Chicanos or other Latin Americans on skilled jobs. The report was presented to a local membership meeting where action was voted to demand an end to company discrimination because of race.
The plant management was furious. Young Clay promptly took the next step. He requested a transfer to a better job in one of the shops. When management turned him down, he filed charges of discrimination with the State and later the Federal Fair Employment Practices Commission. There followed a frustrating period of red tape, investigations and briefs but the company was found in violation of Federal anti-discrimination laws. The Commission ruled that Clay was entitled to the job for which he had applied. During the long delays he was subjected to severe pressure, intimidations, harassment, and "disciplines" (time off). But Brother Clay stood pat and determined. They failed to turn him around. 
This militant action won by Clay and the coalition of Black and white union men was fully supported by the local union. It inspired new courage in many others to dare to stand up for their rights to better jobs. The door had been pried open for other Blacks and Chicanos to follow through to better paying jobs. Today, Black union men as well as Spainish speaking brothers are working as boiler makers, welders, machinist, carpenters, riggers, millwrights and crane-men. 
In the steel melting departments of most mills, as high as 50 per cent of the work force today are Blacks and Chicanos. They work as first and second helpers on open hearths and electric furnaces; hot ladle men and charging crane operators. In many rolling mills they make up a substantial percentage of the workforce. 
This changed situation in the mill is also reflected within many of the local unions. Black steel workers are becoming actively involved in the affairs of the union and in its leadership. They, along with Spanish speaking union brothers, function effectively as top grievance committeemen on a department level and as officers and Executive Board members. 
The general lessons to be learned from these activities are invaluable: 
1. To achieve progress, Blacks, and other discriminated groups of mill workers need to get themselves together around their common needs. 
2. To exercise maximum power, a coalition with white union 

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