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.
- 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