Sanitation workers march for union rights in DeKalb Co.
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By Trey Thomas, All News 106.7
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -
DeKalb County sanitation workers marched in downtown Atlanta on Monday in an effort to have their union recognized by the county commission. They had the support of two retired sanitation workers who marched in Memphis nearly 45 years ago just before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Alvin Turner and Baxter Leach were among the striking Memphis sanitation workers who received the support of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. back in 1968.
"We're still fighting for justice. Still now," Leach told the crowd on Monday.
Turner and Leach are supporting attempts by DeKalb County sanitation workers to get the county commission to recognize them as members of Teamsters Local 728 They're hoping the march will make their voices heard.
"Forty-five years since the assassination of Dr. King and the industry he was fighting for with a strike. Things have went full circle. What was one a good middle-income job is now deteriorated," said Chuck Stiles of Teamsters Local 728.
DeKalb sanitation workers want better pay and working conditions. Turner and Leach says it's the same thing they fought for more than 40 years ago.
"This brings back the memories that happened in 1968. The same thing is happening now that happened then," Turner said.
"It just fills my heart to see how they carry on Martin Luther King's dream…They made me almost cry," said Leach.
DeKalb sanitation workers say they have not received a raise in more than four years. The workers have been meeting with the county commission about recognizing their newly formed union.
Commissioners could vote on the issue in the coming weeks.
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