Labor Spotlight- A. Philip Randolph

Asa Philip Randolph, was an American Labor Unionist and Civil Rights Activist. In 1925 he organized and led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters; the first successful African-American led labor union.

Randolph played the pivotal role in making the famous 1963 March on Washington a reality. He insisted on its extended message to campaign for “jobs and freedom”. This march would recognize the vital significance of linking economic and social justice. Randolph had no allegiance to Democrats or Republicans. He put his faith in organizing, demonstrating and marching. He was a partisan on behalf of economic justice and democracy.

On August 28, 1963 Randolph would declare, “We will need to continue demonstrations.”

In 1965 Randolph would return to the White House with more demands. One being “Freedom Budget for All Americans”. In this demand there would lie the goals set to focus on:

• the abolition of poverty
• guaranteed full employment
• fair prices for farmers
• fair wages for workers
• housing and healthcare for all
• the establishment of progressive tax and fiscal policies that respected the needs of working families.