The CBTU
CBTU - promotes access and opening doors for Black workers and workers of color within the labour movement
CBTU - promotes minority rights within unions - to the benefit of all workers within unions
CBTU - organizes to maximize our political influence within the labour movement
CBTU - encourages and supports the full participation of black workers and workers of colour in their unions
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists consists of members from fifty international and national unions with fifty-seven chapters across the country. CBTU seeks to fulfill the dream of those Black trade unionists, both living and deceased, who throughout this century have courageously and unremittingly struggled to build a national movement that would bring all our strengths and varied talents to bear in the unending effort to achieve economic, political and social justice for every American.
The basic objectives of the CBTU are reflected in its activities and projects, which include: to put forth greater and more creative efforts to improve the image of labour throughout the community; working within the framework of the trade union movement to provide a voice and vehicle for greater black and minority participation; extensive and increased involvement in voter registration, voter education and government projects; organizing the unorganized; providing active support for civil rights and civic groups to improve living and working conditions in the black community; fostering increased political coalescing between labour, churches and the general community to effectively impact the political process on issues and projects of common interest.
CBTU will continue to support job training initiatives and programs aimed at reducing the black youth unemployment rate, which consistently hovers around 50%. Recognizing the correlation between youth unemployment and education, CBTU chapters continue their support for the public school systems and oppose reduced funding for educational projects and programs, particularly those involving inner city schools.
CBTU will continue to work for protection of consumers from escalating price increase for the four necessities of life – food, energy, housing and medical care – the areas where inflation hits hardest. We oppose cutbacks in social programs, health, welfare, aid to the cities and support services for the disadvantaged until they are replaced with full employment and other necessary safety nets.
We pledge to work in coalition with organized labour and other allies whose mission is consistent with these objectives.
