Inspired by Dr. King, Member Terry Walker Travels to Memphis

by Pablo Ros  |  April 03, 2013

Terry Walker

Like many others this week, Terry Walker, an AFSCME member, is in Memphis to celebrate the life and solidarity of Martin Luther King, Jr., who was shot to death in this city 45 years ago. He was there to support the struggle of a group of 1,300 striking AFSCME city sanitation workers.

Walker hails from California, and is grateful for having the opportunity to represent her fellow UDW home care providers.

“Today I got caught in the rain and had to buy a hat,” she said. “It’s rainy and cold in this city – I decided to stay in to save up my energy for tomorrow. I’m going to need it.”

Like other AFSCME members, Walker will be getting up bright and early Thursday to participate in a Volunteer Member Organizer blitz program to help her AFSCME brothers and sisters who work in the Memphis city schools. They are fighting back against widespread layoffs due to a recent decision by the school board to privatize custodial services.

“I’ll be visiting both AFSCME members to turn them out to this week’s MLK events and non-members to move them to join the union,” she said.

Walker also said she is looking forward to the events in the evening.

“We’re having a panel discussion on economic justice at the historic Mason Temple,” she said. “We will be joined by civil rights and community leaders, including Martin Luther King III.”

She added, “I’m excited to make a difference in this civil rights movement and I thank God for allowing me to see this day…. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for this opportunity to honor Dr. King and AFSCME Local 1733 sanitation workers.”