Founders

William Lucy | Nelson Edwards | Cleveland Robinson | Charles A. Hayes
William H. Simons | Original CBTU Leaders

It was predicted by many that the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists would not survive when it was formed in 1972. The Coalition was a bold repudiation of the "neutral" political position advocated by George Meany, President of the AFL-CIO, in the presidential election between Richard Nixon and George McGovern.

Watergate finished Nixon...New leadership has revitalized the AFL-CIO...And CBTU has crossed into the 21st century, proud of the courageous leaders who dared to create a strong independent voice for Black workers and other minorities within the labor movement. These architects of history will never forgotten.

Original CBTU Leaders

• William Lucy, AFSCME
• Charles Hayes, (UFCW) [deceased]
• Nelson "Jack" Edwards, UAW [deceased]
• Cleveland Robinson, District 65 UAW [deceased]
• William Simons, AFT
• Alzada Clark, UFW
• Isom Clemons, International Longshoresmen's Association
• Levi Daniels, UMW
• Ola Kennedy, USW
• Gideon Parham, Teamsters
• Lillian Roberts, AFSCME
• Dennis Serrette, CWA
• Horace Sheffield, UAW (deceased)
• Ed Todd, Textile Workers (deceased)
• Agnes Willis, IUEW
• Robert Wilson, Butcher's Union (UFCW)
• Constance Woodruff, ILGWU
• Addie Wyatt, UFCW
• Robert Simpson, Teamsters
• Leonard Ball, AFSCME (deceased)
• Jim Bell, UAW (deceased)
• James Davis, UAW
• Oliver Montgomery, USW
  
  

About CBTU
Leadership
Founders
History
Mission Statement
The Need for CBTU
Bell-Ball Scholarship