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Burlington Self-Survey on Human Relations: Final report, 1950

Page 74

74

of minorities in unions. 
   Fourteen percent of the Negro family heads indicated that they were members of labor unions. On the basis of this proportion, it would be expected that approximately 5 of the 33 unions would have Negro members and that about 18 of the 130 Negro workers covered in the industry coverage would be members of unions. These figures suggest a very small representation of Negroes in organized labor in Burlington. It is probable that the two organizations which reported that they had Negro members could account for most of the Negro union members in the city. One of these unions, the Teamsters, indicated that they had from fifteen to twenty Negro members. The concentration and narrow range of Negro representation of Negroes within the industry seems to be repeated also in the field of local organized labor. 

Summary Conclusion
In spite of a considerable amount of diversity in business and enterprise within Burlington, the Negro workers of the community are concentrated within a small number of types of activity. The general picture is almost identical with that given by data from the coverage of Negro families: namely, limited representation within the wider range of employment opportunities and a general marginal position within the industrial life of the community. Half of the Negro employees of the firms covered were found among three firms; 70 percent of the firms did not have any Negro employees and 62 per cent of the firms have never used Negro workers

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74 of minorities in unions. Fourteen percent of the Negro family heads indicated that they were members of labor unions. On the basis of this proportion, it would be expected that approximately 5 of the 33 unions would have Negro members and that about 18 of the 130 Negro workers covered in the industry coverage would be members of unions. These figures suggest a very small representation of Negroes in organized labor in Burlington. It is probable that the two organizations which reported that they had Negro members could account for most of the Negro union members in the city. One of these unions, the Teamsters, indicated that they had from fifteen to twenty Negro members. The concentration and narrow range of Negro representation of Negroes within the industry seems to be repeated also in the field of local organized labor. Summary Conclusion In spite of a considerable amount of diversity in business and enterprise within Burlington, the Negro workers of the community are concentrated within a small number of types of activity. The general picture is almost identical with that given by data from the coverage of Negro families: namely, limited representation within the wider range of employment opportunities and a general marginal position within the industrial life of the community. Half of the Negro employees of the firms covered were found among three firms; 70 percent of the firms did not have any Negro employees and 62 per cent of the firms have never used Negro workers