In contrast, trying to learn from the experiences of everyday workers, especially Black workers, who spoke out against company policy and culture, was like trying to listen to a conversation. story in another room. I could hear only the muffled mutter of one word here and there: the transcript from Afoh’s testimony, a discrimination complaint filed with the EEOC in which several BWA members testified as witnesses. , a handful of articles exposed the unsettled situation.
BWA starts in 1969 at a meeting in the basement of a home in Washington, DC. Thirty engineers and salespeople, including Afoh, came together at the urging of 29-year-old marketing executive Ken Branch. Initially, he simply wanted a place for black workers to connect and complain. Over the next few months, complaining led to action, and in August 1970 the group officially formed as the IBM Black Workers Union.
The BWA operated from 1970 to at least the early 1990s. At its peak, it had several thousand members around the country and had branches in New York City, the Hudson Valley, Washington DC and Atlanta. Its mission was to bring black IBMers together to “help change the company for the better.” [their] opportunities within the company and participate in social activities to help [their] community.” They helped each other file complaints and legal claims, organized promotions and better pay, initiated community programs, and were a key part of the pressure campaign to force IBM into compliance. give up doing business with South Africa Their activities vary from chapter to chapter, depending on the needs and preferences of their members.
As I researched BWAs, I continued to try to categorize groups. Is it a pro-union? A diversity and inclusion initiative? Something else entirely?
I felt confused, and perhaps a bit disappointed at first. Just as the media hunts for stories of pampered tech workers revolting against their employers, I’m looking for stories of strikes, walkouts, protests, push-ups. union push. I thought that was the story I needed to hear, a story of total defiance and confrontation. There is some of that, but more commonly a quieter, everyday tale of resistance.
I hear mine ding the phone, pass me a new message. That must be the package I was waiting for. I rushed to the mailbox and retrieved the cardboard, a red and white priority mail envelope from Richard Hudson, president of the NY division of the BWA from 1978-1980.
Hudson joined IBM in 1963. Recruited directly from a technical school where he was the only Black student in the 75th grade, he later became the only Black worker in the company’s small group of 15-20. himself at IBM’s Poughkeepsie factory. Hudson, 25, had heard that IBM operated through meritocracy and was looking forward to his new role.
Eight months into the job, he knew the company’s bright picture of progress was wrong. Recalling his early days at the company, Hudson said at the time he wasn’t sure he would stay long. Despite his reservations, he ended up staying for 18 years. During that time, he’s built a reputation as an advocate for his colleagues and someone people know to turn to when they’re in trouble. In 1973, Hudson filed a discrimination lawsuit against the company.
