Rev. Martin Luther King, August 28, 1963

Article by Gene Fletchall, ATU 19 Steward & Poet

Have you ever noticed how at times a thought, a song, or perhaps an idea will cavort around the periphery of your mind, dancing, teasing, yet ever present? You don’t know why, it’s just there, and try as you may, you can’t lose it.

The above words from a sermon delivered by Rev. King at the Lincoln Memorial, August 28, 1963 have haunted me, in just such a fashion. I’ve no idea who penned them. I have always assumed the Rev. King did, but yet I’m aware that men of his stature often times had a writer or a team of writers at their disposal. But whether these words emanated from the depths and pathos of Rev. King’s soul alone, or from the pen of a writer, or perhaps a collaborative effort; perchance little did he know that they were destined for immortality. It’s been 40 years now, and those words still reverberate down through the often murky corridors of time.

I graduated from High School in May of 1963; Rev. King delivered this sermon in August of that same year. I’ve heard it many times; I’ve heard excerpts from it countless times. But I had never read it. I wanted to see it in on the printed page. I therefore obtained a copy of it, and read it I did. And re-read it, and re-read it. It was just as fascinating in print, although possibly of another nature. These last 40 years, schools, from Grade Schools to Universities, have studied his oratorical style. Political Pundits have hashed and rehashed his politics, Seminarians have examined his walk of Faith, and his personal life, and countless thousands have revered him……, while still others despised him.

He had a wife and children for whom he was charged with the responsibility of providing the basic necessities of life, just as do you. He had his good days and his bad, he laughed and he cried, he exhilarated in his triumphs, and felt the sting of defeat. He got tired and hungry; he wanted a bath and quiet time to restore his soul. In short boys and girls, he put his britches on one leg at a time, just as do you and I.

So, I find that I’m not so concerned about the power of his oratory, the persuasion of his politics or the label on his Faith. These words, "I have a dream…" haunt me for what they say about the man himself.

Rev. King was a man with a VISION!!

He CARED to make a difference!

He DARED to make a difference!

And for these reasons, I find him a most remarkable man!! I find him memorable; I find him and his words enduring. Here was a man, whom I believe, certainly justified his time and space on this planet. HE DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

While I would not be as presumptuous as too akin myself unto the likes of Rev. King, there are those who labor among us, who heed a higher call. They hear a different drummer, so therefore at times, may seem out of step with the rest of us. I want to share some of their thoughts with you.

A month or so ago, I sent out an email to all our Elected Union Officials, those appointed, and those who in general I felt might be indicative of the thought among the rank and file. My query was this:

In my first article, I referred to the "management mind set." I asked of these, do you agree first of all, that there is a "management mind set?" If not, would you elaborate? Secondly, if you do agree, give me some areas where you feel that management thinks differently than do we. What IS that difference?

From Jeanna Lanucha:

It is my opinion that management is out of touch with the actual functioning part of transit…..Because management has forgotten about all of the hard and sticky

situations we can get in. They have put out "0" effort to improve the situation at difficult bus stops. I wish we could evaluate and improve to better serve our passengers and protect our drivers…..The fact that some of the issues we bring forward are not dealt with simply because "they know best" doesn’t cut it with me. How can they know best? Yea they were drivers for 20 years ago. I’ve been a driver for 26 years. and I just got off the road 30 minutes ago!!......In order to do the best job you can you need the proper tools. I get frustrated because my part is only part of the job. I need help with good schedules, safe bus stops, practical rules we all follow, and leadership in conducting the business…Gene…..this isn’t anything management hasn’t heard from me before….." (Author’s note: Pitch ‘til ya win, Jeanna! We love you!)

From Brad Henry:

"First of all let me say I have enjoyed your articles you have written for us. Second I agree about a management mind set…..hey! it’s about the bottom line…when workers give themselves to a company that company has a responsibility to them and there families….So I say there is definitely a management mind set and it says workers be damned, the company and the bottom line come first…..One of the people in the roomed even compared workers to tools….!! Because when a management is given the choice between the bottom line and us, you know who’s going to win…!!....I am thankful we have the Union guarding our interest….." (Author’s note: I wish that each and every one of our workers had the time and opportunity to better get to know Brad. He has a depth and an understanding, if not a militancy about him that I find refreshing!!)

From Bob Lanucha:

"…..something you can quote? I would have to say that overall, I enjoy my job with Springs Transit. I have had other jobs. Some I liked better, some worse…." (Author’s note: My dear friend Bob had more to say than this. This is merely all he told me I could quote, and I strive to be a man of my word. I offered anonymity to all.)

From Dan Francis:

"First, you need to ask management that question-at least you can find out if they will admit they have a certain mind set, as well as if they are open to share it….Management does not like interference with their business or decisions. They do not want to be challenged or second guessed…..It is difficult to get the "official" truth from management….Management likes to be "off the record"…..it is fun to watch management talk about each other negatively "off the record."….Management boasts an open door. Unfortunately there is not as much of an open mind with some…..Management boasts that they do the "right thing." They don’t need to put it in writing…..I have seen them not do the "right thing" with the probationary employees, because they don’t have the union contract or protection….I have also watched them how they treat each other. If that’s the "right thing" I want to remain a bus operator with the Union…..You hear the complaints from individuals in the "West Wing" about how some promise was reneged on, or how they got screwed-I’m glad our promises are in writing….."(Author’s note: I thought about doing that Dan, asking management the same question. However, after giving it careful consideration, and based upon my admittedly some what limited experience, determined that to be an exercise in futility. I decided not to fool with it therefore, as I have better things to do with my time.)

I came in from my shift the other night, and was made aware that Linda Hertel was exceedingly wroth. As a matter of fact, she was down-right furious. Having a couple of things pressing on my mind that I needed to attend, she got away ere I had the opportunity to sound her out. A few days later therefore, I asked her of that which she was so upset. I also asked if I could quote her. She said, "Please do!!" Her words to me were thus: "Gene, it made me so damned mad to come into that terminal at the close of day, and see that man (our supervisor) sitting there, checking up on us. All the while, I’m out here running around in a construction zone, with a 40 foot bus. If that’s the best that he’s got to do with his time, this penny ante crap, then we’re in trouble."

We discussed it quite at length, with me playing devil’s advocate, (the company) in many of the scenarios. She had much to say, that our company needs desperately to hear. But for the sake of time and space, I asked her, "Linda, succinctly, what would be your complaint?" She said, (and I quote only loosely, "it angers me that this kind of inconsequential CRAP, is their (the supervisor’s) FOCUS!! (WHAT? Are you talking about a "mind set" here Linda? Good Gosh!! I think you are!!) We need management to be focused on safety where it concerns our bus stops. They’re not! We need them to be focused on what we’re driving, and where and when. They’re obviously not! We need them to be focused on driver personal safety, and how drivers are treated. That’s the last thing they are concerned about. We need them to be focused on efficiency, and lend leadership to

us in the pursuit of our giving good and safe service to our public. Instead, they’re focused on whether or not you’re 2 seconds late for work. On whether or not your shoes are polished, or if your shirt’s not tucked in. They’re focused on how many times in 6 months you’re sick, or how many no shows you have in a year. At the end of the day, there’s not a soul out there who is going to give a royal rip whether or not you make the final time point, or whether or not you go through the terminal on your way to the garage. But….by God management does!! If this kind of crap is all that management has to occupy their time and minds, then what in the Hell is our future?"

In all of my writings, I’ve had little to nothing to say about our Supervisors. In my own mind, when I have spoken of management, I’ve been in reference to Upper Management. I haven’t really known where to "place" our supervisors, in my mind. These work much more closely with us, and for most, it hasn’t been all that long since they were "one of us." Hopefully, their memories are yet a little more intact, as to "how it is out there." I see most of them as good and decent people who have a job to do, and are doing it to the very best of their abilities. Most of them I like, some of them, I like quite a lot, if the truth were known. But yes, there’s always one or two…well, you fill in the blanks! And, there may indeed be a few out there, who would hasten to tell me in a New York minute, that they ARE management, I don’t know. However, as fate would have it, I recently was reminded that indeed they are management, if not after the order of Upper Management. Recently, one of our let me say "newer" Supervisors, was on duty at the end of my shift. It was payday, and as I walked in, they handed me my check stub. I took it, and proceeded on into the drives room, to take care of those things. As I walked out then, I looked at them and grinned, and said "hey, I have a problem with this check. Can I trade it in? I was only making banter, joshing, striving to keep the lines of communication open between myself and them. They looked at me coldly and said, "Sure." "I’ll give you one of the Info Clerks, if you don’t like that one." As my countenance fell, my gaze hardened, and the

smiles of congeniality dissipated from my face, I said coolly, "No. I had in mind your check," and left the building. As I made my way to my car, well aware was I, that I, labor, had just been slapped down, and put back in my place. And I thought to myself, as I smarted from that snub, that what I should have said was, "….Congratulations my friend. Have no fear. For with that remark, you have demonstrated that you have successfully transitioned from labor, to management." Yes. There is a management mind set!!

Rev. King said something else, at another time. He said, "There is nothing more dangerous than to build a society, with a large segment of people in that society, who feel they have no stake in it; who feel they have nothing to lose. People who have a stake in their society, protect that society, but when they don’t have it, they unconsciously want to destroy it."

Whether or not Management likes it, or cares to own up to it, we, The Laborers, are an integral part of their society that they have built. (We have to be. They built it on our backs.) As a matter of fact, we are "the (largest) segment of people in that society." We must, and do, have a stake in this society, and we must be heard and taken seriously. We’re tired of being ignored, lied too, and brushed aside like the crumbs from yesterday’s lunch. And we’re sick and damned tired of the "affable bullshit" that is so often flung our way, and expected to placate us. Many of us, yes, I said many of us, have more education than many of those in management, yet they’ll throw us bone, and tell us how satisfied we should be. Who is kidding who??

I once told you of a red-headed little Irishman whose wit and wisdom carried so far in the shaping of my morals, mores and values. Another of his little doggerels, Gibertisms, I used to call them, was after this fashion: He’d catch my gaze, look me in the eye, and say "Meen Gene, make no mistake about it, the chickens always come home to roost." In the cold gray light of dawn, the misfortune that has befallen one of our own is a tragedy of epic proportion. We hurt for him and his family, as well as we grieve for the family of the one who lost his life. And we’ll be watching how management quits itself in dealing with it. IF management has not done all that it could do to assure that we can do our jobs as safely as is humanly possible, then make no mistake about it Sirs……, the chickens have indeed come home to roost.

Wonder of wonders, Management took a giant step in instituting this new schedule. It’s 10 years late of course, but never the less, we now have it. Thank God for that!! Having more time for the safe transport of our passengers, can do nothing but help. Let us pray that this will be the chink in the armor of this moldy and archaic old knight, and that we can look forward to the day when management may begin to blow off the dust of the eons, and gingerly, even ever so gingerly as it may be, step forth into the bright sunlight of the 20the Century!

And now dear readers, may we turn to you? Do you have a dream? Do you care to make a difference? Do you DARE to make a difference? I guess the ultimate answer to that last question is that you might dare,….. if you care enough. How much do you care? Rev. King’s dream in the final analysis cost him his life. While this writer certainly in no way advocates that to be your portion, it is my hope that there will be more of you who will surface, and will dare to live, and make just such a difference. Till next time, God Bless America, and each and every one of you, and shelter you in the palm of His hand!!