'Black porters in Montreal leave legacy of labour rights after enduring low wages, racism
Canada's sleeping car porters formed first Black labour union in North America'
From The CBC/Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/black-porters-montreal-railway-labour-rights-1.6358979
'As a child, Marlene Jennings had to stay quiet whenever her father, Preston Jennings Sr., was resting.
His work as a Canadian Pacific Railway porter could keep him away from home for 14 days at a time.
"We all remember seeing our dad seated at the kitchen table with newspapers on the floor and he was shining his shoes, getting ready to go to work," she said. "It was only when I got older I understood the nature of his work and he was so sleep deprived."
It's a little known history, but Jennings Sr. — who was born outside Birmingham, Ala., in 1914 — shares a similar immigration story with many patriarchs in Montreal's Black community of the early 20th century.'
There's much more text and some photos at the link. The CBC continues to present
these informative articles during Black History Month in both Canada and the U.S.
Interesting information provided concerns a new T.V. drama series The Porter that is
a joint venture for The CBC and BET/Black Entertainment Television and is premiering
today. And of course access to the regular CBC feature Being Black In Canada is
provided.
