USW Marks Black History Month by Celebrating Historic Labor Leaders

Contact: Amanda Green-Hawkins, 412-562-2398, agreen@usw.org

(Pittsburgh) -- The United Steelworkers (USW) today released this statement in honor of Black History Month:

February is Black History Month. As we pause to celebrate Black men and women for their successes in science, literature and the arts, athletics, and civil rights, we must not forget those whose contributions helped shape our society and improve the lives of all working families.

Labor history is incomplete without recognition of the courage and fortitude of the Black men and women such as Isaac Myers, Maida Springer, and E.D. Nixon who fought for dignity and respect, and helped build a more diverse and stronger labor movement.

Isaac Myers, a ship caulker in Baltimore, formed the Colored Caulkers Trade Union Society. Although the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was the first Black union to be recognized by a national body, Myers is often credited with forming the true first Black union in the 1860s.

Maida Springer rose from the sweatshops of the garment industry to become a well-respected, international advocate for labor and working people. She has been credited with founding the first women’s labor movement in Turkey and establishing a garment workers’ trade school in Kenya.

E.D. Nixon, a labor leader in Alabama, dared to promise to support a police commissioner candidate by mobilizing the Black vote, in exchange for the hiring of Black police officers in Montgomery, Alabama. He is also credited with devising the strategy to spur the Montgomery Bus Boycott.  

This month, the United Steelworkers recognizes the contributions of Myers, Springer, Nixon and many others upon whose legacies we will continue to build for the dignity and respect of all workers.

The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector and service occupations.

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USW@WORK (USW magazine)
Editor R.J. Hufnagel

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United Steelworkers
Communications Department
60 Blvd. of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15222