CBTU - Coalition of Black Trade Unionists

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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

Bell-Ball Scholarship

HIV / AIDS

CBTU Act against AIDS Leadership Initiative Program

Every 9 1/2 minutes someone is infected with HIV / AIDS.
Click here for details.

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.