Black History Month 2025: Day 7 - The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters – A Trailblazing Labor Union
Pullman Porter at the Union Station in Chicago, Jack Delano, Photographer
#BHM2025 Day 7: The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Its Impact on Labor and Civil Rights
As we continue our Black History Month 2025 celebration and explore the theme of "African Americans and Labor," today's discussion highlights the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP)—the first predominantly African American labor union in the United States. Its formation and impact significantly influenced both the labor movement and the broader civil rights struggle.
Group portrait of Asa Philip Randolph (center front in dark coat) with railroad employees, in front of the Twelfth Street branch of the Y.M.C.A. (The Scurlock Studio, Washington, D.C.)
1. Formation of the BSCP
During the early 20th century, the job of a sleeping car porter was one of the most common occupations for African American men. Hired by the Pullman Company, porters were responsible for maintaining sleeper cars on passenger trains, assisting travelers, and ensuring a high level of customer service. However, despite their essential role, they faced low wages, grueling hours, and racial discrimination—often working 100-hour weeks with no overtime pay.
Determined to fight for better conditions, A. Philip Randolph, a respected labor organizer and civil rights activist, led the effort to form a union. Despite fierce resistance from the Pullman Company, which used intimidation and firings to suppress union efforts, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was officially founded in August 1925. It became the first African American labor union to receive a charter from the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1935 after a decade-long battle for recognition.
2. Goals and Objectives of the BSCP
The BSCP set out to:
Secure fair wages for porters, who were paid significantly less than white railway workers.
Improve working conditions, including reducing excessive hours and demanding job security.
End exploitative labor practices, such as requiring porters to pay for their own meals, uniforms, and lodging.
Challenge racial discrimination within the railway industry and beyond.
3. Achievements and Lasting Impact
The BSCP’s success extended far beyond the railway industry, influencing both labor rights and the civil rights movement:
Labor Movement Victories
In 1937, after 12 years of persistence, the BSCP won its first labor contract with the Pullman Company. This agreement secured:
Pay increases for porters
Shorter working hours
Overtime compensation
Better job security
The BSCP became a model for other Black labor unions, demonstrating the power of organized resistance and collective bargaining.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Delivers His Address at the Lincoln Memorial During the Civil Rights March on Washington, August 28, 1863
Impact on the Civil Rights Movement
A. Philip Randolph and the BSCP were instrumental in advancing civil rights:
In 1941, Randolph led the fight that forced President Franklin D. Roosevelt to sign Executive Order 8802, banning racial discrimination in federal defense jobs—paving the way for desegregation in the workplace.
The BSCP played a key role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech.
The union’s success inspired Black workers across various industries to organize for economic justice, labor protections, and racial equality.
4. Legacy of the BSCP
The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters proved that African American workers could demand and win economic justice through collective action. Their fight for fair labor practices laid the foundation for future labor unions and civil rights movements.
Today, their legacy serves as a reminder of the power of unity, perseverance, and leadership in the fight for social and economic justice.
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow’s discussion will explore how African American women have played a vital role in labor movements throughout history, contributing to both the advancement of workers’ rights and the broader struggle for social justice. Stay tuned as we continue to honor the legacy of African Americans in shaping labor history.
📢 Join the conversation: How do you think the BSCP’s legacy influences labor movements today? Share your thoughts in the comments!
References:
Anderson, Jervis. A. Philip Randolph: A Biographical Portrait. University of California Press, 1973.
Arnesen, Eric. Brotherhoods of Color: Black Railroad Workers and the Struggle for Equality. Harvard University Press, 2001.
Kelley, Robin D.G. Hammer and Hoe: Alabama Communists during the Great Depression. University of North Carolina Press, 1990.
