In many ways King’s vision is still a work in progress. Our effort on behalf of private security guards in New York City is an extension of Dr. King’s blueprint. Two years ago, Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), under the leadership of Michael Fishman, reached out to me seeking CSS’s support on behalf of private security guards who the union was attempting to organize.

These workers, mostly Black men numbering 63,000 in the city, were underpaid and without health care and other benefits. We agreed to conduct research into their status and living conditions, and were startled to discover the degree to which these workers were marginalized. Although many were working full-time, most did not have health insurance, could not take a paid day off, and some were even homeless. Their median hourly wage was $10.14, compared to the average median of $18.39 for all workers in the New York metropolitan area. It was a shocking revelation when one considers that these individuals protect some of the most valuable real estate in the world and, in the post 9/11 era, are considered to be the first line of defense against terrorism.

Our experience working with Local 32BJ/SEIU awoke us to the next frontier in our ongoing work to confront poverty: the importance of labor unions in improving wages and benefits for the working poor. Much like Dr. King, we have come to understand the role that work plays in lifting people out of poverty and, like the late civil rights leader, we see the value added that organized labor brings to the workplace.
Without strong union representation, workers in many sectors don’t stand a chance negotiating for wages and benefits. In the wake of globalization, workers and management must see the benefit of a strong and productive workforce to increase our nation’s economic competitiveness in the global marketplace. It is the vision Dr. King shared 40 years ago and remains our challenge today.