Throughout February, the Democrats will present an on-going blog series celebrating African American heroes, both past and present. Staffers at the Democratic National Committee and Organizing for America have been asked to write about influential African American in our country’s history and leaders who continue making contributions today.
The Pullman Company was one of the largest employers of African Americans in the 1920s and 1930s and was the avenue for many to migrate to the middle class. Pullman Porters endured a class shift that came with a heavy price-- their wages which on the average paid more than African Americans were being paid at the time, were largely dependent upon tips. Workers were required to do unpaid cleaning duties as well as pay for their own uniforms, lodging and food while working. The skin color of the sleeping car porters precluded them from being promoted to conductor-- this despite the fact that many performed “conductor” duties. On their off days, porters were not allowed to ride in the sleeping cars because of the color of their skin. It was these conditions that sparked one of the longest union organizing fights in this Nation’s labor history and birthed the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.
The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, which was organized by Pullman porters, was one of the most powerful African-American political entities of the 20th century and among the first group of African American labor unions. Members faced opposition from blacks in the community who lauded the economic fortunes the Pullman Company brought to the Black community. And though the Pullman Company lent financial support to many black institutions, they were relentless in their tactics to break up the union-- using spies; violence and intimidation. During a secret meeting in Harlem, New York on August 25, 1925, 500 porters met, forming the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and choosing A. Philip Randolph as their leader and “Fight or be slaves,” as their motto. The workers demonstrated true organizing prowess by choosing an outsider to represent them-- an experienced labor organizer and non-employee who was not susceptible to employer intimidation.
A. Philip Randolph patiently fought for, and won, a collective bargaining agreement in 1937. This agreement took control from the employee representation Plan which was led by handpicked African Americans chosen by the Pullman Company.
Randolph used his experience fighting the Pullman Company to help organize the civil rights movement. “Father of the Civil Rights Movement,” E.D. Nixon, a Pullman porter and leader of a local chapter of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters-- was instrumental in organizing the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott in Alabama.
These brave American men used the tool of organizing from New York to Alabama, helping to lift the boats of African American workers and families-- their fight illustrates the true sense of stewardship that unites African American communities. This is what inspired me to revere the Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters.