Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local Union No. 5

**Union Blocked Black Workers from Elevator Construction Jobs** This case involved the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local Union No. 5, which controlled job opportunities for elevator construction workers in Philadelphia. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued the union in 1975, claiming it systematically excluded Black workers from these jobs and undermined federal efforts to increase minority employment in the construction industry through the Philadelphia Plan. The court ruled in favor of the EEOC, finding that the union had engaged in a pattern of discrimination against Black workers. The judge determined that by controlling access to elevator construction work in Philadelphia, the union violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by deliberately blocking opportunities for minority workers. This decision is important for workers because it established that unions cannot use their control over job assignments and apprenticeships to exclude people based on race. The ruling reinforced that federal anti-discrimination laws apply to labor unions, not just employers. It also showed that courts will examine whether organizations are genuinely supporting diversity efforts or actively undermining them. For workers today, this means unions must provide equal opportunities regardless of race when controlling access to jobs or training programs.