Guide to the African American Construction Workers of Pittsburgh Photograph Collection, 1956-1987 AIS.2006.13

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
African American Construction Workers of Pittsburgh Photograph Collection
Collection Number
AIS.2006.13
Extent
1.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Date
1956-1987
Abstract
This collection of photographs depicts African American construction workers in Pittsburgh from the angle of their membership in the African American laborers' local (International Hod Carriers and Building Laborers Local 11), 1957-1960, and from the angle of efforts by African American leaders like Ellis R. McGruder, Jr. and Nate Smith in the 1960s and 1970s to bring about greater employment opportunities for African Americans in the building trades in Pittsburgh. The photographs in this collection provide a unique gallery of individuals involved in the movement for the equal representation of African Americans in the construction workforce of Pittsburgh, Pa. Digital reproductions of the collection are available online.
Language
English .
Author
Zachary L. Brodt.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of the collection are available online.

History

This collection of photographs depicts African American construction workers in Pittsburgh from the angle of their membership in the African American laborers' local (International Hod Carriers and Building Laborers Local 11), 1957-1960, and from the angle of efforts by African American leaders like Ellis R. McGruder, Jr. and Nate Smith in the 1960s and 1970s to bring about greater employment opportunities for African Americans in the building trades in Pittsburgh.

Though details are sketchy, Pittsburgh's black Laborers Local 11 was chartered on May 25, 1903. As of 1908, the local was meeting at 120 Crawford Street, then for a time at Lyric Hall, Fulton and Gilmore Streets ca. 1910, and at 2157 Centre Avenue ca. 1937. The local was represented in conventions of the Pennsylvania Federation of Labor (e.g. 1922) and at meetings of the Pittsburgh Central Labor Union and its successor, the Allegheny County Labor Council. In 1964, Local 11 was merged with two historically "white" construction locals, Demolition Workers Local 136 and Laborers Local 226 to form Construction General Laborers Local Union 373. The merger did not result in widening opportunities for Pittsburgh's African American construction workers.

In response to this situation, in the 1960s, Nate Smith, a former boxer and a heavy equipment operator for Local 66 of the Operating Engineers' Union, challenged Pittsburgh's contractors and unions regarding their hiring practices. Told that the problem was a lack of properly trained workers, Smith created Operation Dig, a school to train African Americans to become construction journeymen. The school was partially funded by Edgar Kaufmann who had sponsored Smith's boxing career and was a close friend. Soon over sixty African Americans had completed their training with Operation Dig; but, by and large, they were still not being hired onto area construction crews. Smith then formed the Black Construction Coalition to assure the hiring of African American workers in Pittsburgh per the Civil Rights Act of 1964. After several demonstrations which at times resulted in violent clashes, the Pittsburgh Plan was founded as a means for the city and unions to oversee the peaceful integration of African Americans into the building trades. Its success has been differently evaluated by different commentators.

Scope and Content Notes

Collection Scope and Content Note

The photographs in this collection provide a unique gallery of individuals involved in the movement for the equal representation of African Americans in the construction workforce of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Many of the photographs include identification of the individuals pictured, generally in the form of labels affixed to the face of the pictures themselves. While this limits their value as pure visual images, the specific identification of individuals, organizations and dates constitutes an important historical resource. Photographs of Nate Smith include views of him speaking at Operation Dig and meeting with Jesse Jackson concerning Operation PUSH in Chicago. Meetings regarding the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program audits of many construction jobs are also depicted. Photographs of rioting in the Hill District after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are present, as are unique photographs of the officers of Local 11 at the union's offices.

Arrangement

The photo albums in this collection, noted below as volumes, have been maintained in their original order. The albums contain indices which assist in locating specific individuals within each album.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

Purchased by the University Library System in 2006.

Preferred Citation

African American Construction Workers of Pittsburgh Photograph Collection, 1956-1987, AIS.2006.13, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Previous Citation

African American Construction Workers of Pittsburgh Photograph Collection, 1956-1987, AIS.2006.13, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

African American Construction Workers of Pittsburgh Photograph Collection, 1956-1987, UE/Labor 2006:13, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Zachary L. Brodt in May 2007.

Copyright

Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Related Material

Paul J. LeBlanc Papers, AIS.1974.17, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Catholic Interracial Council of Pittsburgh, AIS.1979.06, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Dick Thornburgh Papers, AIS.1998.30, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

KDKA Film Collection, AIS.1984.30, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • United States. Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
    • Black Construction Coalition
    • Community Action Pittsburgh
    • Concentration Employment Program
    • Construction & General Laborers' Union Local 373 (Swissvale, Pa.)
    • International Hod Carriers' and Building Laborers' Union of America. Local 11 (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • International Union of Operating Engineers. Local 66 (Monroeville, Pa.)
    • Operating Engineers. Local 66 (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Operation Dig
    • Pittsburgh Plan

    Personal Names

    • King, Martin Luther, Jr., 1929-1968
    • McGruder, Ellis R., Jr.
    • Smith, Nate, 1929-2011

    Geographic Names

    • Green Tree (Allegheny County, Pa.)
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.)

    Genres

    • Photograph albums

    Other Subjects

    • African American construction workers
    • Construction equipment operators
    • Iron and steel workers
    • Plumbers
    • Electricians
    • Carpenters
    • Labor unions
    • Civil rights demonstrations -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh

Container List