Dear Members,

When the great depression struck America in the 1920’s finding work was hard, but if you were Black, poor and working as a porter for the Pullman Railroad company you were taking home a third of what White employees did which meant working some days for free. All Black porters were called George regardless of what their name was. This was after George Pullman, who was the first to employ an emancipated slave. Asa Phillip Randolph, a Black journalist, wanted to establish a voice for the forgotten and form the first Black Union in America. He attempted to get 10,000 signatures of men only known as GEORGE, working for the railroad. One hundred years later on May 25. 2020 a Black man named GEORGE Floyd had his life taken from him by a White Police Officer by pressing his knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. All this over an alleged counterfeit $20 bill, which we later found out to be authentic.

GEORGE started a movement just like A. Philip Randolph, not realizing his death would start many protests around the world for justice and the importance of BLACK LIVES MATTER. People of all colors, races, creeds; young, old, black, brown, and all nationalities throughout the world are demanding equity for people of color.

As the president of the New York State Black Caucus of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Workers of the Public Employees Federation-AFL-CIO, we too have encountered many injustices related to diversity in the work place. Our purpose is to detect and expose discriminatory practices with respect to hiring, dismissal, promoting or transferring employees within the P.S. &T. bargaining unit. The Black Caucus members would like to join the president of PEF in a conversation on how we can take steps to ensure we have a voice at the table.

We will keep in touch because we will need your involvement and action. We hope that when we put out the call, you will join us.

Sincerely,

Carrie Saunders, President