Chicago Chapter, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Archives
- Collection ID ARCHIVES 199207
- Creator Names Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (U.S.)
- Title Archives, 1972-2012
- Physical description 7 linear feet
- Collection arrangement Materials are arranged into five series: Chicago Chapter, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU); National/International Conventions, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU); Other National CBTU Materials; CBTU Region 6; and Other Organizations
- Access and usage restrictions Available for research in the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Chicago Public Library.
- Collection summary Founded in Detroit in 1972, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists was created to address the labor, civil rights and political concerns of African Americans active in unions. Donated by Beverly Sandifer of AFSCME Local 1215, the archive includes convention documents, minutes, resolutions, programs, photographs and memorabilia from the Chicago Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
- Biographical or Historical Note The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) held its founding convention in Chicago September 23-24, 1972. More than 1,200 African American union leaders and rank and file activists, drawn from 37 different national and international unions, met to discuss the role of Black trade unionists in the U.S. labor movement, and the continuing problems of discrimination "within the house of labor." The CBTU also operates in solidarity with a vast number of international human rights and freedom movements. It claims to be the oldest African American labor organization in history. In Chicago, the CBTU was led by Charles A. Hayes, the national vice-president of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union. The Chicago chapter of the CBTU initially met at the UFCW District 1 hall at 4859 S. Wabash. They were active in union organizing campaigns, electoral politics, civil rights and anti-discrimination activity, and in community affairs. Each year the chapter sponsored an awards dinner, honoring individuals with exemplary service to the labor movement and in community work. They also sent a large delegation to the annual CBTU International Convention.
- Finding Aids Note Finding aid available in the Harsh Research Collection, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Chicago Public Library and on the library's web site.
- Acquisition information Donated by Beverly Ann Sandifer, member of Chicago Chapter, CBTU, 1992. Additional donations by Beverly Ann Sandifer, 1993-2012
- Names Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (U.S.) Archives.
- Subjects
- African American labor union members Illinois Chicago.
- African Americans Employment Illinois Chicago.
- Finding aid URL http://www.chipublib.org/fa-coalition-of-black-trade-unionists-chicago-chapter-archives/