The United Construction Workers Association (UCWA) was founded in 1970 by Tyree Scott (1940-2003), an electrician who had become a Seattle civil rights activist. The UCWA began with the goal of uniting minority construction workers to promote their employment in the construction industry and prevent discrimination. Because of union control over the local labor market, it was almost impossible for Black workers and Black contractors to benefit from government contracts. The UCWA negotiated on behalf of Black workers, led protests, initiated lawsuits, and organized worker support groups.

In this image Tyree Scott (pointing) and fellow activist Larry Gossett (left of Scott) address a crowd after Judge William Lindberg delayed ruling on UCWA's proposed involvement in Black building-trade apprenticeships, and in monitoring the hiring and dispatching of minorities by unions and employers.

Caption information source: http://www.blackpast.org/aaw/united-construction-workers-association
Caption information source: The Seattle Times, June 16, 1972, page 21
Caption information also derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph.