About CBTU

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 Longshoremen'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

 

Leadership

Founders

History

Mission Statement

The Need for CBTU

Bell-Ball Scholarship




 

Convention Call

Welcome to the website of CBTU, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. CBTU is the fiercely independent voice of Black Workers within the Trade Union Movement.

Convention information

2008 Convention
Pre-Registration

2008 Airline Info.

2008 St. Louis
Housing Form

2008 National Women's Conference

2008 Convention Instruction Checklist

2008 Convention Agenda

CBTU Scholarship Application

2008 Youth Convention Registration Form

Addie Wyatt Nomination Form