Statement on Death of P.R. Latta

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jeremy Sprinkle, Communications Director, [email protected], 336-255-2711

STATEMENT ON DEATH OF LEGENDARY NORTH CAROLINA TRADE UNIONIST P.R. LATTA
“P.R. Latta was a unionist through-and-through,” said MaryBe McMillan

RALEIGH, N.C. (August 18, 2014) – The North Carolina State AFL-CIO released the following statements from President James Andrews, Secretary-Treasurer MaryBe McMillan, and Vice President Bonnie Overman on the passing of legendary North Carolina trade unionist P.R. Latta, who died in Wake County on Sunday at age 95.

“P.R. Latta was a true trade unionist - someone committed to building his own union while supporting other workers’ efforts to raise wages and lift workplace standards,” said James Andrews. “Throughout his life, P.R. committed himself and his considerable talents as an organizer to advancing democracy both inside and outside the workplace.”

“P.R. Latta was a unionist through-and-through,” said MaryBe McMillan. “He believed that organized and determined workers could overcome any obstacle and secure our future through the power of collective bargaining. It is a lesson as important today as it was during the Great Depression and after World War II, when P.R. helped organize tens of thousands of phone company workers in North Carolina.”

“P.R. was 95 years old and still paying dues,” said Bonnie Overman. “What more can you say? He retired 40 years ago.”

P.R. Latta was a member of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and long-time president of CWA Local 3611 in Raleigh, NC, serving as a lobbyist for the union after his retirement. P.R. was active in the North Carolina Democratic Party up until his death. As a young man, P.R. was also a decorated veteran of World War II, who was there on D-Day as Allied forces advanced on Omaha Beach. He is survived by his three sons, nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Visitation:
Tuesday, August 19
6:00-8:00 pm

Brown-Wynn Funeral Home
1701 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 876-6900

Funeral Service:
Wednesday, August 20
11:00 am

Millbrook United Methodist Church
(across the street from funeral home)
1712 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609

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The North Carolina State AFL-CIO is the largest association of local unions and union councils in North Carolina, representing over one-hundred thousand union members, fighting for good jobs, safe workplaces, workers’ rights, consumer protections, and quality public services on behalf of ALL working families. PO Box 10805, Raleigh, NC 27605.

Photo of P.R. was taken during our Silent Protest April 4, 2011 to mark the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.