Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Sheet Metal Workers, International Ass'n, Local No. 122

What Happened
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 122, claiming the union discriminated against Black workers for decades. The EEOC argued that from 1950 to 1974, the union systematically kept Black workers out of membership and created barriers that prevented them from advancing in the trade.

What the Court Decided
The court ruled in favor of the EEOC, finding that Local 122 engaged in a clear pattern of racial discrimination that violated federal civil rights law (Title VII). The judge was convinced by statistical evidence showing the union had almost completely excluded Black members for over two decades and maintained practices that blocked their career advancement in sheet metal work.

Why This Matters for Workers
This ruling reinforced that labor unions cannot discriminate based on race when deciding membership or advancement opportunities. It established that courts will look at long-term patterns and statistical data to prove discrimination, not just individual incidents. The decision strengthened protections for workers of color in skilled trades and demonstrated that both employers AND unions must follow equal employment laws. Workers facing similar systematic exclusion can point to cases like this when challenging discriminatory practices in their industries.