The unions and discrimination
This is a recording of the floor debate at the 1959 National AFL-CIO convention regarding a resolution for the brotherhoods of trainmen and locomotive firemen and enginemen to bring their unions in line with the civil rights provision of the AFL-CIO's constitution. There was much protest of the resolution, because it had no time limit on ending racial discrimination. This recording includes comments from members of the unions and a speech by A. Philip Randolph, head of the Sleeping Car Porters Union. Other speakers include Brotherhood of railroad trainmen President Kennedy, Brotherhood of locomotive firemen and enginemen President Gilbert, an African American union brother named Evans speaking against the resolution, Delegate Thomas of the Mackinaw worker's union, AFL-CIO Vice President Kerry, and others. Recorded at the convention in San Francisco by Robert S. MacCollister. Narrated by Elsa Knight Thompson.