Local union members added to rights councils

Region 4 civil rights conference delegates take notes during a talk by UAW Civil Rights director Miriam Poe.

New challenges to achieving equality and social justice in America have risen again, and Region 4 civil rights committees have pledged to be there to meet those challenges.

That was the outcome of this year's Region 4 Civil Rights Conference where the main topic of discussion was civil rights in the new millennium. The 140 delegates rose to their feet to let the Director Paul Korman and Assistant Director Dennis Williams know how pleased they were to have them open the conference.

Director Korman introduced to the delegates the new director of the UAW Civil Rights Department Miriam Poe and staff members Millie Smith and James Lake.

Half of the delegates were first timers. For them, classes were offered on policy and procedure and on sexual harassment.

Education representative Doug Womack presented a class on the UAW’s worker-to-worker program. Illinois CAP representative Chuck Anderson gave an excellent report on what’s happening on the political front. With the presidential election coming up this year, this type of information is essential for getting rank and file members active in supporting pro-worker candidates.

President Stephen P. Yokich expanded the UAW’s National Advisory Council on Civil Rights (NACOCR) to include local union members. The NACOCR by-laws were revised to reflect the new structure that enables local unions to have a stronger voice in the work of the council.

Also, it is now mandatory that each region establish a regional civil rights council. NACOCR is composed of one international representative from each region who is appointed by the regional director and two local union members from each region who are elected by the regional civil rights council.

Elected to represent Region 4 on NACOCR were Janie Jackson of Local 438 and Louise Bell of Local 719. Jackson was elected as the at-large member. Bell was elected as the regional council president.

Norm Coleman
Civil rights coordinator

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