Dellums captures labor endorsement

March 8—The Alameda Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO) announced its endorsement of retired Congressman Ronald Dellums for mayor of the city of Oakland on Feb. 7.

Clarence Thomas (left) & Ron Dellums at Oakland City Hall, Feb. 7. Photo: Melvin Dickson

The Council represents 100,000 members and 130 local unions, including the public and private sector in manufacturing, transportation, health care, government and construction.

“Working people in Oakland want opportunity and inclusion” said Sharon Cornu, executive secretary-treasurer of the Council on the steps of City Hall where Dellums joined officers of local unions and rank-and-file members at a press conference. Cornu said, “Ron Dellums offers new hope and vision for our members, working families and communities.”

On Jan. 30, more than 100 trade unionists attended a “meet-the-candidates forum for Oakland Mayor and City Council,” where they heard the candidates speak on the important issues facing working people in the city of Oakland.

Dellums’ reasons for running

When asked about his goals and priorities in elective office by the labor council, Dellums stated the following: “I entered the mayoral race to tackle the serious and difficult problems facing Oakland, including poverty, violence and hopelessness. My hope is that in our efforts to solve these problems, Oakland can become the model for cities throughout the country… Oakland must work to create a vibrant and expanding economy and to stimulate development but city leaders must ensure that development embraces the source of Oakland’s strength: its diversity. I do not want to wake up one morning and find the working class has been driven from Oakland.

We must make Oakland a safe and healthy city for all, including equitable access to jobs, housing, education, healthcare, police, fire and other important services.”

When asked how he will achieve these objectives, he said, “By making my message of involvement and inclusion a reality. This means working with and mediating between various stakeholders (e.g., developers, community groups, employers, unions etc.). I have worked closely with unions throughout my career.”

When asked what distinguishes his goals and priorities from other candidates, he answered “I’m interested in involving all of Oakland in the decision making and implementation process. I’m opposed to insider deals and special benefits for a select few. I oppose the atmosphere of ‘pay to play’ which Oakland seems to have become.”

Dellums born to a labor family

Ron Dellums’ father retired as a longshoreman, a member of ILWU Local 10. His uncle was the legendary labor/community activist, C.L. Dellums. (The Oakland train depot was named for him.)

In an interview done a few years ago, Dellums revealed, “Wherever I went as a youngster people when they’d hear my last name would say ‘is C.L. Dellums your father?’ My father is Verney Dellums, but C.L. is my uncle.”

Fight or be slaves

C.L. Dellums was one of the founding members of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) founded in 1925. “Fight or be slaves” were the words of C.L. Dellums when the BSCP was organized. It remained a credo of his the rest of his life.

In 1937, BSCP won a contract with the Pullman Company.

In 1941, BSCP won a contract with Pullman. It was the first agreement ever signed between African Americans and a corporation.

In 1941, A Phillip Randolph, president of BSCP and Dellums organized a March on Washington Movement to protest discrimination by the US government in the hiring of blacks. A. Phillip Randolph called off the March to bring 100,000 blacks to Washington D.C. after President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802 which barred discrimination in employment in the defense industries.

In 1946, C.L. Dellums becomes a major figure in Oakland’s African-American community heading up the NAACP and bringing its support to 1946 Oakland General Strike.

In 1968, Dellums replaced Randolph as president of BSCP.

Dellums and the ILWU

In the 1980s, the ILWU, most notably Local 10 members in San Francisco, refused to handle South African cargo to oppose the racist, apartheid system of that country.

During that time the corporate media refused to cover the anti-apartheid actions of the ILWU. Congressman Dellums extended the use of his staff to prepare press releases and briefings regarding the boycott of South African cargo by the ILWU.

Members of Local 10’s rank and file such as Brother Leo Robinson retired and Larry Wright received congressional recognition of ILWU’s contributions in the struggle against apartheid.

In 1972, Congressman Dellums introduced the first legislation for sanctions against apartheid. He played a critical role in the ultimate passage of that legislation and to end the apartheid regime.

In 1989, Dellums was responsible for bringing Nelson Mandela to Oakland where he addressed thousands of people at the Oakland Coliseum during his Bay Area visit. He personally thanked and acknowledged Congressman Dellums for his efforts in Congress and the ILWU for its efforts of solidarity to bring an end to the system of apartheid.

Conclusion

Ron Dellums’ candidacy provides the working class and others with the chance to secure power and influence in this city that has become more gentrified during Mayor Jerry Brown’s tenure in office. This is a chance for coalitions representing people of color and progressives to build a movement in Oakland to put forward an agenda that is in the interest of the working class, oppressed and the youth. Dellums candidacy can be used as a vehicle by which working people can use it as a catalyst for change. However, we are very aware of the fact that the community labor and progressives must be organized with an agenda to ensure that Congressman Dellums has the political [authority—WW] to implement a new progressive agenda for the city of Oakland. In the final analyses all elected officials must be held accountable to the people they represent.