Local Clergy & Employees Pray to Save Jobs

Over 120 custodians, grounds keepers, bus drivers, and concerned citizens gathered in front of the Metro Courthouse at high noon as local clergy led a Prayer Vigil in support of school employees.  The gathering, which was covered by all the major local media outlets, was held as Dr. Jesse Register and the Metro School Board presented their budget to Mayor Karl Dean.

Local pastors, including Clifford Smith, Brian Rossbert, Mawfak Mohammed, and Maurice Harris led prayers and asked the Mayor and our elected officials to do the right thing by denouncing the Board's scheme to privatize nearly 700 Metro Schools workers.  If privatization succeeds, these employees will see their jobs, pay, and health insurance benefits be cut or reduced.  Several Metro Council members were in attendance to show their support for the workers, including Jamie Hollin, Michael Craddock, Eric Crafton, Jerry Maynard, and Erica Gilmore.

Approximately 88% of those affected by Register's plan are minorities, a fact that was addressed by custodian Gerald Johnson.  "We have to send a message to the Mayor," Johnson said.  "We are tired of being on the chopping block!"  Last year alone, 60 custodians were laid off, leading to more work for the rest of the staff.  Meanwhile, they (and the rest of the MNPS support staff) haven't gotten a raise or a cost-of-living adjustment in 3 years.

Also speaking was Jerry Lee of the Tennessee AFL-CIO, who viewed Register's plan as nothing less than a plan to break the unions.  "That's what this is all about,"  Lee said.  "They're trying the same trick that corporate America tries - to divide and conquer the workers".  Similar sentiments were shared by Jim Buckley, who spoke on behalf of the bus drivers who are members of the United Steel Workers.

After the rally, many went inside to hear the Board's budget presentation to the Mayor. 

See what happened at the Courthouse in the press clips:

News 2 

Channel 4 

NewsChannel 5

Fox 17

The Tennessean

The City Paper

Our coalition's next event is going to be this Thursday, April 15 at Jefferson St. Missionary Baptist church (map), where clergy and our friends from the I.M.F. are going to host a special meeting of prayer and planning to protect Nashville's working families.  Join us at 7:00 pm - call 227-5070 for more information.

Thanks to all who shared their blessings, their stories, and their time by standing up for Nashville's working families.