Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr:
“More than 50 years after his tragic and untimely passing, the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continue to be a source of hope and inspiration for working people across our country.
“Dr. King understood that social justice and economic freedom go hand in hand, and saw union representation as a powerful weapon in the struggle for equality. Perhaps more importantly, he held faith in the immeasurable power working people have when they unify their voices. By encouraging people to join together at work, in our streets, and at the ballot box, Dr. King did more than fight for a fair and just society – he showed working people that they have the power to change their world.
“We see this power at work today in a renewed wave of activism sweeping our country. From teachers who march for smaller class sizes to those on the frontlines of our transportation system who fight dangerous corporate and political schemes that seek to put profits before safety, misclassify workers, and envision a future without unions.
“As our nation prepares to honor this great leader and his legacy, TTD is proud to stand with our brothers and sisters in labor who are committed to keeping Dr. King’s dream alive. By fighting for policies that enhance the rights and improve the lives of working Americans, we have the power to build the kind of movement that will ‘transform misery and despair into hope and progress.’”