Herenton 'disrespecting' city's employees, unions charge
By Pamela Perkins
April 30, 2006

Union workers marched from Memphis City Hall to the Memphis Marriott Downtown on Saturday morning, taking the first steps in a public awareness campaign.

About 250 union members, representing 22 public and private unions, protested a proposed two-year freeze on wages by the city administration.

The march ended at the hotel where many of those attending the National Conference of Black Mayors were staying.

"We wanted the 500 mayors to see that all the city workers are dissatisfied," said Tommy Turner, police union president.

Herenton, in his budget address on Tuesday, called the union leadership "irresponsible" for seeking raises.

Marchers wanted people to know that unions, which have lowered their salary requests to 1 percent increases for half the year, aren't accountable for the city's budget problems.

"He's trying to embarrass us," said J.D. Cox, president of the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Local No. 1228.

"In 1968, you had (Memphis Mayor) Henry Loeb disrespecting black workers. In 2006, you have Mayor Herenton disrespecting all workers of the city," said Rick Thompson, IBEW business manager.

The coalition, which formed earlier this year, will begin shooting TV commercials "showing the positive side of unions" this week, Turner said.

-- Pamela Perkins: 529-6514