Recent Activity
Thursday, May 2 2019
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- 5:01pm
2018 was a milestone year for Steelworkers who worked in the Newport News shipyard. USW Local 8888, which represents nearly 10,000 hourly workers in the yard, celebrated the union’s 40th anniversary last year. In February 2018, Local 8888 closed out Black History Month with a tribute to members who participated in the historic 1978 organizing drive that led to a bitter 82-day strike, bloodshed, court battles and, eventually, the first contract negotiated by the Steelworkers that guaranteed dignity and fairness for all hourly workers.
The organizing drive had been started by four African American men – Oscar Pretlow, Eddie Coppedge, Ellis Cofield and W.T. Hayes. They were dissatisfied with the pace of ending racism in the shipyard. For example, water fountains and restrooms were still segregated – in 1978.
Several pioneers from that historic campaign for union recognition were presented with “History-Maker” plaques for their role in launching USW Local 8888. The 40th anniversary slogan, “Nobody Gave Us Nothing” expressed how the hard-fought gains achieved over the years are still enjoyed by shipbuilders today.
In March 2018, Local 8888 hosted a special 40th anniversary book event. Lane Windham, the author of “Knocking on Labor’s Door,” visited the union hall to talk about her much-acclaimed book and the chapter devoted to how the Steelworkers and shipbuilders achieved a profound change in the South 40 years ago. As a bonus, the first 75 people who arrived also received a free autographed copy of Ms. Windham’s book.
Last September, union members and their families mixed fun and fond memories at Local 8888’s Charter Day Cookout. Hundreds of those who attended also received a special 40th anniversary tee shirt, wrist band, and towel. The cookout culminated a year-long celebration of the what the Steelworkers had achieved over four decades. Speakers warned against complacency and urged this generation of Steelworkers to become “history-makers” in their own way.
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- 4:50pm
Mary Jackson continues to get her due. The late trailblazing engineer and mother-in-law of Local 8888 Trustee Raymond Lewis was honored at a special reception in the U.S. Capitol building in April for her pioneering contributions to America’s space program. The event, which marked Women’s History Month, had previously honored First Lady (forever) Michelle Obama. Brother Lewis accompanied Carolyn Lewis, his wife and daughter of Ms. Jackson whose remarkable story was told in the hit movie “Hidden Figures.”
In 2017, Local 8888 led a petition drive that convinced the City of Hampton to rename a new neighborhood center for Ms. Jackson, who passed away in 2005. Even in her hometown, she did not have a public building or street named in her honor. The new Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center is in the design phase, according to Hampton City Manager Mary Bunting. Local 8888 and residents in the Olde Hampton neighborhood, where Ms. Jackson grew up, will get a preview of the proposed design before one is selected for the $3.5 million project.
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- 4:41pm
Local 8888’s Next Generation Committee is active again. It is the platform for young activists in the shipyard to connect with each other and to get more involved in union activities. The timing of the Next Gen’s reboot is significant because change is coming in the shipyard.
Last year Local 8888 celebrated its 40th anniversary. The occasion highlighted the fact that more than 600 members are nearing retirement age. At the same time, nearly 60 percent of the membership has less than 10 years of service – and half were not even born when Local 8888 received its charter from the United Steelworkers in 1978.
Next Gen members have an opportunity to take on greater roles in the local union. Recently, a group of Next Gen members represented Local 8888 during Black Labor Week in Gary, IN. Herbie Porter, chair of the Next Gen Committee, said, “It was a wonderful experience and I believe I can speak for everyone when I say we learned a lot! Not only did I learn a lot, but it also inspired me to want to do more here at our local and in our community.”
Porter invited other young union members to become active in future Nex Gen programs. The committee meet each month at 2 p.m. (an hour before the monthly membership meeting) every third Saturday at the USW Local 8888 union hall (4306 Huntington Ave., Newport News, VA).
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- 3:43pm
Everybody under 45 knows that Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar rule the world of hip hop, right? Local 8888 President Spivey might stay on the outskirts of hip hop music, but he’s woke enough to recognize the challenge of connecting young workers with a catchy message to register and vote.
usw_-_local_8888_-_media_-_voter_registration_-_media_package.docSpivey said the union knows connecting with young people in the shipyard is key to boosting Local 8888’s political clout. “We face the challenge of creating an effective outreach program that spans generations. Something that could, say, appeal to Kendrick Lamar fans as well as Frankie Beverly fans,” Spivey said with a laugh.
To grab the attention of millennials, Local 8888 participated in a new video that features LA-based hip hop artist Xela with cameo appearances by Local 8888 representatives. The video will be circulated on all of Local 8888’s social media to engage younger members who follow conscious hip hop rappers. [It is also be available on Spotify, YouTube and other online sites.] https://youtu.be/BdIqPV0SsRw
Spivey says the hip hop video gives the local a new, creative tool to spark awareness in a generation of voters that responds to visual appeals. “We’ve got to move the needle with young folks,” he declared. “Our message must connect in the language and values of hip hop voters. I believe we’re off to a good start. We’ve got time to get this right.”
Spivey said he also sees an opportunity to get more young Steelworkers involved in the local’s political operation. “We are going through an important transition. New folks are coming into the yard every day, while many of our seasoned political activists are near retirement,” he said. “They will take a lot of valuable political knowledge and campaign experience with them. So, we want to begin now to recruit and train a new generation of Local 8888 activists who can impact future elections.”
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