Unions & Racism: An Age-Old, Institutional Problem Continues Unabated
11th April 2011
It is rather ironic that, last week, union bosses used the anniversary Rev. Martin Luther King’s assassination to try to drum up support for the union cause. You see, even after all these years, racism and discrimination within the walls of the House of Labor is still very real. As noted by UnionFacts.com, since 2000, there have been over 4,200 complaints filed against unions for racial discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. In some cities, it is a bigger problem than in others. However, the one area where union racism seems to rear its ugly head the most often is with the construction trade unions, where African Americans are often excluded from work.
When was the last time you saw a black plumber? Electrician? Bricklayer? Iron worker? Heavy equipment driver? Telephone lineman?
‘Look for … the union label….’