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Public Employee Press
Still an activist: CBTU founder Robert Wilson
Only when he was introduced from the podium, did participants
at the Toxic Awareness Workshop Jan. 20 learn that the quiet, distinguished-looking
man at the rear table was Robert H. Wilson, one of the founders of the Coalition
of Black Trade Unionists.
The CBTU held its first meetings in Chicago and
Washington, D.C., in 1972 and 1973. Wilson, then a business agent for Local 174,
Amalgamated Meatcutters, wrote to AFSCMEs William Lucy and inquired about
setting up a CBTU Chapter in New York City.
Receiving an affirmative response,Wilson
took it from there. Lucy came to meet with Wilson and other prominent labor officials
in the city, including DC 37 leaders and the famed Cleveland Robinson of District
65. We met at the Manhattan Hotel and formed the groundwork for the New
York City CBTU Chapter, recalled Wilson.
They organized and brought
others on board from different unions, including the Communications Workers and
the Teamsters. We got good participation and we brought about change,
said Wilson. Winning voting rights for African Americans and Latinos was high
on the list of critical issues that the CBTU chapter took on. They protested efforts
to remove African American Judge Bruce Wright dubbed Turn Em
Loose Bruce by enemies after he set low bail for many poor and minority
suspects from the bench, he recalled. We even gave Christmas
toys to the needy, said Wilson. The campaign to elect David Dinkins was
another initiative that won their support.
Retired from his union duties,
Wilson carries on the tradition of social activism in his community, Plainfield,
N.J. In addition to CBTU, he is active in a campaign to build affordable housing
called Faith, Bricks & Mortar, Inc.
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