The United Brick and Clay Workers of America (UBCWA) was a labor union representing brickmakers, clay and terracotta workers and clay miners in the United States.

The union was founded on May 18, 1894, to represent brickmakers. In 1896, it was chartered by the American Federation of Labor as the National Brick Makers' Alliance. In 1901, it absorbed several smaller unions and became the International Brick, Tile and Terra Cotta Workers' Alliance. In 1913, a group split away, and soon formed the United Brick and Clay Workers of America. This rejoined in 1917, and the original union adopted the name of its former breakaway.[1][2]

By 1953, the union had 23,000 members.[3] It affiliated to the AFL–CIO in 1955, but by 1980 its membership had fallen to 15,000.[4] On August 5, 1981, it merged with the Aluminum Workers' International Union, to form the Aluminum, Brick and Clay Workers' International Union.[1]

Presidents

Frank Butterworth
1916: Frank Kasten
1946: Harold R. Flegal
1961: William L. Griffith
1967: Paul Pelfrey
1970: Roy L. Brown

References

  1. ^ a b "Inactive Organizations" (PDF). UMD Labor Collections. University of Maryland. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  2. ^ Handbook of American Trade Unions (PDF). Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Labor. 1926. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  3. ^ Directory of Labor Unions in the United States (PDF). Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Labor. 1953. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  4. ^ Directory of National Unions and Employee Associations (PDF). Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Labor. 1980. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
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