Laborers' International Union of North America

The Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) is an American and Canadian labor union formed in 1903. It is one of the largest construction unions in North America, with a presence across the United States and Canada.

History

LIUNA's origins date back to the 19th century when various local construction unions emerged across the United States. On April 13, 1903, Samuel Gompers, President of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), persuaded these local unions to unite, leading to the establishment of the International Hod Carriers and Building Laborers' Union (IHC and BLC) in Washington, D.C. The founding convention was attended by 25 delegates from 23 unions across 17 cities, representing 8,186 laborers[1][4].

In 1912, the union went through two name changes, becoming the International Hod Carriers and Common Laborers of America and then the International Hod Carriers' Building and Common Laborers of America[1][4]. By 1920, the union had grown to 96,000 members and played a significant role in advocating for equal rights for African American workers[4].

During the Great Depression, membership declined significantly due to widespread unemployment but began to recover with the onset of World War II, when construction demand surged[4]. By the end of 1942, membership had almost doubled from the previous year[4].

In 1965, the union was officially renamed the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA)[5]. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, LIUNA continued to expand member benefits, including health, welfare, and pension coverage, which became crucial tools in union organizing efforts[5].

Structure and Membership

As of 2017, LIUNA had approximately 500,000 members, with about 80,000 residing in Canada[1]. The union is divided into nine regions across North America, further organized into over 500 local unions[3]. One of the largest construction local unions is Local 183 in Toronto, Canada[1].

Affiliations and Activities

LIUNA is affiliated with the AFL–CIO, having rejoined in October 2010 after briefly disaffiliating to join the Change to Win Federation from 2006 to 2010[1][3]. The union focuses on advancing the rights and interests of its members, particularly in the construction industry. They have been involved in significant political activism and community projects, such as supporting the cleanup efforts at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks and establishing construction charter schools[1][2].

Leadership

The current General President of LIUNA is Brent Booker, who was appointed in 2023[1]. Historical leaders have included Herman Lilien, the first General President, and Domenico D'Alessandro, who served as General President from 1908 to 1926 and greatly expanded the union's presence in New England[2][4].

Activities and Impact

LIUNA has been at the forefront of various social and economic issues, including civil rights movements and occupational safety initiatives. The union has supported African American workers' rights and participated in marches during the Civil Rights Era[5]. Additionally, LIUNA has played a significant role in advocating for better working conditions and wages for construction workers across North America[2][5].