Day two at ATU International Black Caucus Conference was just as inspiring as the first, as the more than 300 delegates showed up in unity in their white Black Caucus t-shirts to conduct the business of the Caucus and hear from another group of esteemed speakers.
After a moving dance performance from the award-winning teen Fearless Dance Empire, International President John Costa addressed recalling his days at New Jersey Transit and his rise to become International President. “When we work hard, fight for our members, anything is possible. The work this Caucus is doing is important. You can be assured that our Union is dedicated to education and training as a means to empower our Black members and all members,” said Costa, who has been attending the Black Caucus since the 1990s. “I want to thank you for the honor to represent you and the respect you have shown me. You make me proud to be a member of this great Union.”
Next, delegates heard from Loudoun County, Virginia, Supervisor Phyllis Randall, whose grandfather was a member of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porter, who spoke about being proud to be called a “Union Thug” for her support for the strike by our Local 689 Loudoun County Transit members. Next, Maryland Governor Wes Moore delivered a rousing speech, thanking Costa, Local 1300-Baltimore, MD, President/Business Agent Mike McMillian, and Local 689-Washington, DC, President/Business Agent Raymond Jackson for their leadership and support. Gov. Moore spoke about the devastating impact of the Key Bridge disaster and how Maryland as a “Union” state will recover and continue to fight for working people and their families.
In the afternoon, the Caucus surprised International President Costa with the Black Caucus Appreciation Award for his years of dedication to the Caucus.
International Executive Vice President Yvette Trujillo and International Secretary-Treasurer Ken Kirk addressed the Caucus. Also in attendance were International Vice Presidents Marcellus Barnes, Gary Johnson, Curtis Howard, Anthony Garland, Amanda Sawyer-Turner, Mark Henry, and Ken Day.
Thank you to all our Black Caucus members for a great showing and being so passionate and dedicated to our Union.