Lee Williams (conductor)

Lee Williams was a Canadian rail worker.

Born around 1907 in Waco, Texas, Williams immigrated to Canada as a child, settling in Hillside, Saskatchewan with his family.[1] He began working for the Canadian National Railway (CNR) as a sleeping-car porter in the 1930s.[2] At the time opportunities for advancement among African-Canadian workers was limited: they faced discriminatory employment policies and had very low wages.[2][1] Seeking to advocate for racial equality, Williams became chair of the local chapter of the Order of Sleeping Car Porters' Union and submitted a complaint to the federal government under the Fair Employment Practices Act.[2][1] In April 1964, the government ruled in favour of the African-Canadian workers, ordering that CNR end its discriminatory practices.[2]

As a result of the legal action, Williams became one of the first African-Canadian sleeping-car conductors and was later promoted to a supervisory position.[2] He also served as president of the National Black Coalition of Canada.[1] He retired in 1972.[2]

Williams was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from York University in 2002.[2] He was featured in the 1996 documentary The Road Taken.[3]

References
  1. Krista Foss (4 May 2002). University honours former sleeping-car porter, The Globe and Mail
  2. York University Spring Convocation 2002: Former UN peacekeeper Roméo Dallaire, theatre producer David Mirvish, Canadian astronaut Marc Garneau, African-Canadian railway porter Lee Williams among honorary degree recipients, York University
  3. The Road Taken, National Film Board
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