Mandela, Nelson, 1918-2013

AFSCME Communications Department Records

jruss — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:06:22 -0400

AFSCME has produced a regularly published magazine since its inception. Publication duties for this organ and other materials were accomplished by the Education and Publications Department for the first twenty years of AFSCME’s existence. The 1954 Convention, however, passed Resolution 14, establishing a Publications and Public Relations Department. This new department would continue to publish the AFSCME magazine and other materials and would also take on new media public relations duties both at headquarters, and importantly, in the field. Recognizing that current field staff’s duties did not include crafting AFSCME’s message during organizing campaigns and strikes, it was hoped that the new department would provide skilled public relations professionals on the ground. The new department was created on April 1, 1956. The Publications and Public Relations Department existed until 1971 when the name was changed to the Public Affairs Department. This existed until 2011 when the name was changed again to the Communications Department.

The AFSCME Communications Department Records document the public activities of the Department, AFSCME International, and AFSCME officials. Records include speech transcripts; press releases; surveys and polls; documents related to AFSCME biennial conventions such as transcripts of proceedings, correspondence, and planning documents; correspondence; publications; meeting minutes; clippings; photographs, slides, and negatives; audio and video recordings; and posters.

AFSCME Office of the Secretary-Treasurer: William Lucy Records

jruss — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:21:25 -0400

The AFSCME Office of the Secretary-Treasurer oversees the general financial health of the international union, keeping records for its locals, councils, and the headquarters staff. The Office keeps files on council and local trusteeships, maintains per capita dues payments by locals and councils, issues charters to new locals, and suspends and disbands locals or councils when problems arise. William Lucy held this position for 38 years, 1972-2010.

Lucy joined AFSCME as a civil engineer in Contra Costa, CA in 1956. A decade later, he was working for the International in Washington, D.C. Proving his leadership abilities during the 1968 sanitation workers strike in Memphis, during which Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated, Lucy became AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer in 1972. Alongside his work with AFSCME, Lucy also served with countless labor, civil rights, and civic organizations to advance causes for blacks, women, and workers locally in Washington, D.C., nationally, and internationally. Lucy helped found the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) in 1972 to represent African Americans in the labor movement. He was instrumental in the Free South Africa Movement's efforts to end apartheid in South Africa. He served as president of Public Services International (PSI) and as a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council. These activities are reflected in the Records. Lucy retired from the position of Secretary-Treasurer in July 2010 at the AFSCME biennial convention.

The AFSCME Office of the Secretary-Treasurer: William Lucy Records document the activities and operations of AFSCME International, the Office of the Secretary-Treasurer, and AFSCME’s state and local councils. The Records also convey the actions of William Lucy in a number of labor and civil rights organizations, including TransAfrica, the NAACP, CBTU, PSI, and the AFL-CIO. The Records include correspondence, reports, speeches, financial information, legal documents, convention transcripts and proceedings, publications, and meeting minutes. Several boxes of audio recordings of International Executive Board meetings are included, and a very small number of photographs appear in the collection.

UAW Public Relations Department Photographs and Sound and Video Recordings

mwallace — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 14:01:25 -0400

Since the United Automobile Workers of America (UAW) was established as an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in August 1935, the union has maintained an office to deal with public relations. At that time, a "Committee on Publication" was formed, which became the "Publication Committee" in April 1936. The Committee subsequently became the "Publicity Department" in August 1936, when the UAW became an independent union affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). This became the UAW's Public Relations Department some years later. The primary purpose of the original Committees and Department was the production of the union's national newspaper, the United Automobile Worker, which became Solidarity in 1957. Over the years, as the UAW grew into a large, powerful union, the P.R. department played an increasingly important role in writing speeches and producing various publications. It also generated large numbers of photographic images, created television advertisements, and issued press releases, delivering the union’s official stance on nearly all issues. In recent years, the P.R. Department has also been responsible for maintaining the union’s social media presence. The collection consists of Audio-Visual material, including photographic prints and contact sheets, videotapes, and audio recordings.

African Americans and the UAW

mosmith — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:53:30 -0500

The Reuther Library celebrates African American History Month with a brief review of the important role that African Americans have played in the formation and growth of the United Automobile Workers of America (UAW), one of the most powerful unions in American history, and the influence of black UAW members within the polity of Detroit. read more »

In Memoriam: Owen Bieber (1929-2020)

gstrassel — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 16:58:40 -0500

UAW President Emeritus Owen Bieber passed away yesterday, on February 17, 2020. Bieber was a respected figure in the labor movement, known for his commitment to civil rights and steady leadership during turbulent times for organized labor. read more »

Nelson Mandela, AFSCME, and Detroit in 1990

mcourtney — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:35:56 -0400

On June 28, 1990, AFSCME members welcomed Nelson Mandela to their biannual convention in Miami, Florida, chanting, “Mandela, yes! Apartheid, no!” read more »

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists

cdavis — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 09:24:10 -0400

At the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) International Convention, held in St. Louis, Missouri, May 23-28, 2012, the CBTU membership voted in Terrance (Terry) Melvin as its new President. Terry Melvin is the second president in CBTU’s 40 year history. William (Bill) Lucy had been CBTU president since the organization’s founding in 1972. Lucy also served for 38 years as the Secretary-Treasurer of AFSCME before retiring in 2010. read more »

(46506) Nelson Mandela, Tiger Stadium, Detroit, 1990

eclemens — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 17:56:21 -0400

Crowds celebrate during Nelson Mandela’s 1990 visit to Detroit’s Tiger Stadium.

(46507) Nelson Mandela, Tiger Stadium, Detroit, 1990

eclemens — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 17:58:33 -0400

Pro Nelson Mandela supporters are seen cheering at an anti-apartheid rally that took place at Tiger Stadium located in Detroit, MI.

(46509) Nelson Mandela, Tiger Stadium, Detroit, 1990

eclemens — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 18:04:19 -0400

A woman wearing a “Free South Africa” t-shirt waits outside of Tiger Stadium with a small child during Nelson Mandela’s June 1990 visit to Detroit.

(46510) Nelson Mandela, Crowds, 1990

eclemens — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 18:08:00 -0400

Crowds gather on the street to welcome Nelson Mandela during his 1990 visit to the United States. The location is not identified, but the photo was likely taken in New York City.

(46511) Nelson Mandela, Ford Rouge Plant, Local 600, 1990

eclemens — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 18:19:48 -0400

Nelson Mandela proudly holds high his lifetime union membership card to the United Auto Workers (UAW). The card was given to Mandela by UAW president Owen Bieber during his historic visit to the Ford Rouge Plant.

(49505) Nelson Mandela, Detroit, Tiger Stadium 1990

eclemens — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 17:52:39 -0400

Crowds celebrate during Nelson Mandela’s 1990 visit to Detroit’s Tiger Stadium.

(49508) Nelson Mandela, Tiger Stadium, Detroit, 1990

eclemens — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 18:02:07 -0400

A man sells t-shirts celebrating Nelson Mandela and the end of Apartheid outside of Detroit’s Tiger Stadium during Mandela’s June 1990 visit.

(7534) Mandela arrives, 1990 AFSCME Convention

jruss — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:24:59 -0400

In June 1990, just after Nelson Mandela was released from prison, members of the Free South Africa Movement, a collaboration of various civil rights groups in the U.S. arranged an American tour for the Africa National Congress President. One of his stops included an address of the AFSCME International Convention in Miami, Florida. Here, Mandela and his then wife, Winnie, arrive in Miami.

(7536) Mandela arrives, 1990 AFSCME Convention

jruss — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:29:48 -0400

AFSCME International President Gerald McEntee (shaking Mandela's hand) and AFSCME International Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy (left, with back to camera) greet Nelson Mandela as he arrives to address the 1990 AFSCME International Convention.

(7537) Mandela speaks, 1990 AFSCME Convention

jruss — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:33:07 -0400

AFSCME International Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy chats with Nelson and Winnie Mandela before Nelson Mandela addresses the 1990 AFSCME International Convention.

(11472) Mandela, Stepp, Bieber, Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, 1990

eclemens — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:16:02 -0400

Nelson Mandela addresses the crowds at Tiger Stadium during his visit to Detroit, Michigan. Directly behind him stands his longtime supporter, UAW president Owen Bieber. At left is UAW vice-president Marc Stepp.

NOTE: No reproduction without the permission of the owner
Image copyrighted by Daymon J. Hartley
www.daymonjhartley.com

(11473) Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Detroit, Michigan, 1990

eclemens — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:17:33 -0400

Nelson Mandela and his wife Winnie (at right) greet the crowds during their visit to Detroit, Michigan.

(11474) Mandela, Young, Keith, Bieber, Wonder, Detroit, Michigan, 1990

eclemens — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:20:30 -0400

Nelson Mandela stands on the dais during his visit to Detroit, Michigan. Left to right: UAW president Owen Bieber, Judge Damon Keith, Mayor Coleman Young, Stevie Wonder, Nelson Mandela, and Winnie Mandela.

(11475) Mandela, Young, Bieber, Detroit, Michigan, 1990

eclemens — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:22:42 -0400

Nelson Mandela dons a Detroit Pistons hat and jacket during his visit to Detroit, Michigan, June 1990. Left to right: Unknown, UAW president Owen Bieber, Winnie Mandela, Mayor Coleman Young, and Nelson Mandela.

(11988) Mandela at AFSCME Convention

jruss — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:29:22 -0400

South Africa’s Nelson Mandela spoke at AFSCME’s 1990 Convention in Miami. AFSCME president Gerald McEntee (left) and Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy (right) join Nelson and Winnie Mandela on stage.

(11989) Mandela at AFSCME Convention

jruss — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:35:42 -0400

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer speaks with Nelson Mandela who was addressing the 1990 AFSCME Convention in Miami.

(11990) Mandela at AFSCME Convention

jruss — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:44:17 -0400

Nelson Mandela speaks at the 1990 AFSCME Convention in Miami shortly after his release from prison in South Africa. AFSCME President Gerald McEntee (left) and Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy cheer him on.

(11991) Mandela at AFSCME Convention

jruss — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:48:37 -0400

(11992) Mandela at AFSCME Convention

jruss — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:51:57 -0400

Nelson Mandela speaks at the 1990 AFSCME Convention in Miami shortly after his release from prison in South Africa.

(11993) Mandela at AFSCME Convention

jruss — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:56:55 -0400

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee (left) and Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy (right) welcome Nelson and Winnie Mandela to the 1990 AFSCME Convention in Miami.

(28001) Albert Shanker and Nelson Mandela

jhelpap — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:14:33 -0500

Albert Shanker and Nelson Mandela shaking hands at an AFL-CIO council meeting in Washington D.C.

(30859) Nelson Mandela, SEIU International Vice President Bill Stodghill, Laura Randolph, 1991

aorchard — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 16:10:18 -0500

Nelson Mandela shakes hands with SEIU International Vice President William (Bill) Stodghill while Ebony Senior Editor, Laura Randolph, observes.

Podcast: American Labor's Anti-Apartheid Movement and Nelson Mandela's 1990 U.S. Tour

mcourtney — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 15:44:55 -0400

Meghan Courtney, Reuther Library archivist, discusses Nelson Mandela's 1990 visit to the U.S. as well as his long-term relationship with the American Labor Movement during his time in prison and after his release.

Mandela's 12 day, 8 city fundraising tour in June 1990 took place just months after his release from 27 years in a South African prison and included visits to the AFL-CIO, AFSCME's convention, UAW Local 600 and Tiger Stadium.

Courtney explores Mandela's philosophical alignment with the labor movement, read more »