Honoring Black Americans in the construction industry

By Dani Sheehan. 

Black History Month presents an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the stories of Black Americans who have shaped and impacted our industry. 

Black Americans make up 6.1% of the roofing labor force. As we celebrate Black History Month this February, it is crucial to acknowledge the journey and historical contributions of Black Americans in various industries, including roofing and construction. Throughout history, Black workers, like other minorities, have faced significant discrimination, particularly in workplace safety and health. However, they have also played a pivotal role in advocating for stronger workplace protections for everyone. 

Having faced notable challenges through the years, Black craftspeople have thrived in honing their skills in the building trades. From Alexander Miles improving the safety of elevators in 1887 to Frederick Jones patenting portable air-cooling units for trucks, Black Americans have contributed to the foundation and framework of our industry. 

Black women, in particular, have been at the forefront fighting for labor rights for decades to improve conditions for American workers. Nannie Helen Burroughs launched the National Association of Wage Earners as early as 1921, a labor union specifically for Black domestic workers. She later established the National Trade School for Women and Girls to combat labor exploitation, improve working conditions and expand career opportunities for Black women. Dorothy Bolden founded the National Domestic Workers Union in 1968 and taught workers how to bargain for higher wages and time off. Melnea Cass’ advocacy achieved legislative victory when Massachusetts passed state-level minimum wage protections in 1970. This was the first state-level protection for domestic workers since the Great Depression. 

While strides have been made in workplace safety since then, the data reveals persistent challenges. As recently as 2021, more than 14 workers were killed on the job every day. Black workers experience a disproportionate fatality rate of four per 100,000 full-time employees compared to the national average of 3.6. This alarming disparity is attributed to systemic issues such as limited education opportunities, lower earnings and increased exposure to hazardous jobs. 

Addressing disparities is a priority for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Starting in 2022, they host an annual Workers’ Voice Summit to address issues like job steering, where workers of color are disproportionately assigned to hazardous tasks. The initiative aims to collaborate with stakeholders, Black-led union groups and worker centers to ensure equitable enforcement in high-hazard industries like construction.  

In an event that later played a role in the larger civil rights movement across the United States, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. joined 1,300 Black sanitation workers as they initiated a strike demanding better wages and safer workplaces. He shared, “Whenever you are engaged in work that serves humanity and is for the building of humanity, it has dignity, and it has worth.” By fostering equity and safety for all workers, we honor the legacy of Black Americans and contribute to the building of a more just and inclusive future. As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to salute Black construction workers for their devotion, hard work and commitment toward diversifying our workforce. 

Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Labor Blog