Barack Obama is coming back to St. Louis – maybe.
The Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee for U.S. president is scheduled to speak Friday, May 23 as part of the 37th International Convention of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), which will be held at the Renaissance Hotel, May 21-28.
The Obama campaign is not confirming any appearances more than a week out, but Obama spoke at last year’s CBTU international convention (held last May in Chicago), and CBTU officials think he will be able to honor his commitment again this year.
“When Obama spoke at our convention last year, there was not a lot of union support for him at all – Hillary was the flavor of the month,” said Dwight Kirk, media coordinator for CBTU.
“It really opened the door for black trade unionists to go back to their national unions and say, ‘Maybe we should take a look at this guy.’”
By now, of course, everyone has taken a look at that guy.
Whether or not CBTU and St. Louis will get to take another close look at Obama this month, the convention will feature a host of important speakers, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO) and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), who all will speak during the Saturday, May 24 session.
The session on Thursday, May 22 will feature three major union leaders: William Lucy, president of CBTU; Arlene Holt-Baker, executive vice president, AFL-CIO; and Wiliam Burrus, president, American Postal Workers Union.
CBTU was founded in 1972. It has grown to more than 60 chapters in the U.S. and Canada. Lucy said the St. Louis CBTU Chapter, led by long-time labor activist Lew Moye, is one CBTU’s most active and effective local chapters.
Coming near the end of a heated presidential primary, with an election for president on the horizon, the 2008 convention is sure to be abuzz with national politics. The CBTU has a reputation among Democrats for mobilizing the African-American base. CBTU has promised to “Rain on McCain” in the fall elections.
“I cannot emphasize enough how important the Nov. 4th elections will be,” said Lucy, CBTU president and international secretary-treasurer of the 1.4 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union.
“We, as black trade unionists, must do our part in determining the path America takes in the next four years and beyond. The stakes, literally, are life and death. That’s why, with our votes, we will ‘Rain on McCain.’”
However, there is more than politics on the agenda.
“Our conferences are a little like a five-ring carnival,” Kirk said, “with all these mini-conferences going on: for women, retirees, environmental justice.”
Leroy Butler, football star with the Green Bay Packers, will speak the afternoon of Friday, May 23 as part of the women’s conference. He is an activist on breath cancer awareness.
Friday evening (6-8 p.m.) CBTU will host a Town Hall Meeting with the theme “Taking Back America’s Economy for Working People.”
“Sen. Obama has shown tremendous poise and dignity as he has worked hard to secure the support of union members, whose households cast 25 percent of the votes in the 2004 presidential election,” said Lucy.
“We hope his busy campaign schedule permits him to speak to CBTU members again in St. Louis.”
Many convention events are open to the public, with advance notice. Email Dwight Kirk at dwight@d-flat.com or call Lew Moye at (314) 495-5635 for more information. Also visit www.cbtu.org.
Obama’s final travel plans re the 2008 convention will be reported on www.stlamerican.com.