Woodlawn cemetery workers win union

The Bronx, N.Y., Woodlawn Cemetery workers Band of Brothers had a union election that was held on Oct. 28 in the service yard of the cemetery. The workers made a huge statement to both management and the corrupt company union USWU-IUJAT Local 74/811, headed by Sal Aladeen, by voting for Teamsters Local 808.

It was democracy at its best with a wide margin of victory, 34 to 3 out of 38 workers. After a year long struggle organizing the workers, dealing with management’s discriminatory practices and with the absence of union representation the Band of Brothers stood strong against the ambassadors of greed and the board of oppressors.

We will continue to unionize in preparation for negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. The current collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 31. This has been an overwhelming struggle, one we take seriously for all in the working class and we hope to inspire others in similar situations. We will continue our efforts to help strengthen the working class in the hopes that we can be a brick that is added to the foundation of the labor movement. This is just the beginning.

— By Band of Brothers anti-racist leader