William Lucy: Legendary Labor Leader and Civil Rights Champion Dies at 90

A Pioneering Labor Leader and Advocate for Justice: Remembering William Lucy

William "Bill" Lucy, a trailblazer in the labor movement and a champion for civil rights, passed away at the age of 90 in Washington, D.C. His legacy as a prominent Black labor leader continues to inspire those fighting for justice and equality.

Lucy was a transformative figure in labor activism, notably in the latter half of the 20th century. In 1968, he returned to his roots in Memphis, Tennessee, to support the sanitation workers' strike. Marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he advocated for the workers' union, AFSCME Local 1733. He co-founded both the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) and the Free South Africa Movement (FSAM), pivotal in the U.S. anti-apartheid efforts.

For over 50 years, Lucy's voice resonated globally as an advocate for social justice and workers' rights. He broke racial barriers as the first African American president of Public Services International (PSI) and served on the AFL-CIO executive council. His influence extended to organizations like the NAACP, TransAfrica, and the Africa-America Institute (AAI). Recognized by Ebony magazine as one of the most influential Black Americans, his contributions were vast and impactful.

Lucy, born on November 26, 1933, in Memphis, grew up in a family that faced economic challenges. His father, a mechanic and musician, and his mother, a seamstress, influenced his resilience and determination. During World War II, the family relocated to Richmond, California, where Lucy completed high school before working for the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

In 1953, Lucy began his career in public service with the Contra Costa County Public Works Department in California. This marked the start of his labor activism, as he sought to transform an employee association into a true union, leading to the formation of AFSCME Local 1675.

Lucy’s dedication caught the attention of AFSCME International President Jerry Wurf in 1965, leading to his involvement at the union’s headquarters in Washington. His mission to Memphis in 1968 was crucial in addressing the sanitation workers' demands for fair wages and safe working conditions. The strike's iconic slogan, "I AM A MAN," co-created by Lucy, became a powerful symbol of the movement.

In 1972, Lucy was elected as AFSCME’s secretary-treasurer and founded CBTU, which challenged apartheid in South Africa. His efforts in the 1980s with FSAM were instrumental in leading demonstrations and boycotts against the apartheid regime. Lucy's commitment was evident when he helped organize Nelson Mandela's U.S. tour post-prison release in 1990 and led an AFL-CIO delegation to monitor South Africa's democratic elections in 1994.

Lucy’s influence persisted into the 1990s and 2000s, becoming PSI president and joining the AFL-CIO executive council. He retired in 2010, urging continued advocacy for social justice at the AFSCME International Convention. Lucy's words echo the responsibility to aid those in need, a mission AFSCME pledges to pursue in his memory.