Union Songs

Jim Grahame Song

A song by David G. Hurlburt©David G. Hurlburt 2004

New words to an old song!! In the Folk tradition
(Tune: Derby Ram)

Jim Grahame he died from cancer
Asbestos fibers were to Blame,
But from the day Jim Grahme died
The Union sings his fame.

Chorus
He's every worker's brother,
He is the Union's son,
And in Jim Grahame's memory
We'll fight till we have won.

He worked for health & safety,
And for Union - worker's rights.
The job he did is never done,
Jim, we won't give up the fight.

Asbestos Jim Grahame inhaled
Is what has caused his death.
Don't let this happen to anyone else.
Jim Grahme said with his last breath.

Tag it Bag it and remove it
Where ever you safely can.
Don't drill or scrap or disturb it
It's time we see it banned.

Notes

Many thanks to David G. Hurlburt for permission to add this song to the Union Songs collection. David is CWA Steward Local 9410 and he writes about this song

James Grahame, Steward, Safety Committee Chair and member of CWA local 9410

What does it mean to have a Union Brother or Sister? Someone, who you not only spend your working life with, but who you attend meetings with, work on solving grievances or safety problems, count votes on elections or walk with on a picket line. A man or a woman who watches your back and you watch theirs. It means we are a family and we are not alone. As it has been our motto in the labor movement for over a hundred years "An injury to one is the concern of all," I am in pain today for I have lost my Friend, James Grahame, My Union Brother, a Steward, Safety Committee Chair and election committee member a former operator, service representative, testing technician and communications technician ESS. How did he die so young at age 52, a year after he had retired from Pacific Bell? He died on November 25, 2003 from Mesothelioma a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. A week before he died he attended a safety committee meeting for the purpose of having SBC place labels on Asbestos hazards in their buildings. Even while he was having a hard time breathing, his concern was stated to me "Don't let this happen to any one else! Please get the asbestos marked and removed where possible!" I promised him I would work to accomplish that end and I shall do so, because he is my brother and you are my Brothers and Sisters. We both want you not to be exposed to Asbestos. That is his legacy to you and my promise to our brother Jim Grahame.

Asbestos, tag it, bag it, and remove it!
Do not expose my brothers and sisters anymore!!

Read more about David at

http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/heartofthemovement/hom_david-hurlburt.cfm

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union songs..........a selection by mark gregory