The Omaha guide., 1955-08-19
A. Philip Randolph Recommends
Changes for AFL-CIO Constitution

A. Philip Randolph, International President of the A. F. of L.
Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, recommended Strengthening the
proposed A. F. of L-CIO Constitution to protect all workers against
racial bias. In a morning session presided over by A. F. of L. Presi
dent George Meany IN Chlcagos Conrad Hilton Hotel, Randolph eo-
quenty stressed to the nearly five hundred representatives of A. F. of
l. unions the vital necessity Of placing a pillar" in the new Consttu+
ton to bar all racist groups and to eliminate racial discrimination
from the American trade union movement.
MI. Randolph, who favors the merger, expressed satisfaction, in
general, with the Constitution but made eight suggestions in different
articles of the Constitution designed to strengthen the new Organ
lzation in its fight to eliminate discrimination based on race. Speak
ing to the attentive representatives who had gathered from every sec
ton Of the nation, and which included not only elegaterepresentative
of unions but also delegates from State Federahons and central trade
bodies Of the A. F. of L, MI. Randolph urged that the A. F. of L.
Executive Council instruct its Unity Committee to see his changes as
being OF vital necessity to guarantee equality of participation in the
expanded movement.
1t is evident that the Constitution already expresses great con-
Germ for the elimination of communist and fascist elements. Mr..
Randolph readily agreed completely with this desire and expressed a
hope that the same concern would be manifested for eliminating
groups which foster racial discrimination and engage in racist prac-
tees. Already agreed to by the Unity Committee of both the A. F.
Of L. and CLIO and made a Part of the pending Constitution is a basic
objective, namely: ITO encourage all workers without regard to
race, creed, color or national origin, to share in full benefits of
union organization" Mr.. Randolph recommended Strengthening Of
this provision and moved on to other parts of the Constitution urging
specific changes in an effort to protect the rights, privileges and OPP
portunities of Negro workers in the new merged federation.
Mr. Randolph was supported from the floor later in discussions
by the delegate, Mr.. Sam Ezen, of the Kentucky State Federation of
Labor.
AS the audience listened in rapt attention, Mr.. Ezel, who is Dir
ector of Research and Education for his state federation, pointed out
that his delegates supported Fundamentally the recommendations of
to eliminate racial discrimination but to enhance the progress of or
ganizing all workers in the State of Kentucky and other sections of
the south.
Mr. Ezel warned that employers continue to use Negro workers
as a means of Illustrate the efforts Of other workers to form unions
by setting up discriminatory wage rates based on race. He further
said that by supporting Mr.. Randolph, the labor movement would be
moving in the direction of helping to strengthen its own position and
to hasten the racial desegregahon in public schools and bring about
compliance with the recent decision of the U. S. Supreme Court in
the public school cases.
No one spoke in opposition to Mr.. Randdphs proposal and num-
erous delegates expressed high approval of the recommendations
made by the Brotherhoods President before the first full discussion
of the Constitution.
Milton F. Webster, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car PorterS First
International Vice President, and Theodore E. Brown, the Unions
Research and Education Director, accompanied MI. Randolph.
In opening the Conference President Meany made it plain that
all delegates and representatives would not only be welcomed but
were urged to express themselves with reference to the Constitution
and urged that any ideas designed to strengthen it would be welcome.
After his opening remarks, he then proceeded to recognize Mr.. Ran
doph who presented specific recommendations with a stirring plea to
all delegates about the great necessity for having a strong position in
the Constitution against racial discrimination.