We have included a brief history of some of the unions in the construction industry. We have tried to include the some of the larger organizations and provide dates and history, as well as some of the most notable organization names or events as additional ways to search for additional books, articles, and other resources. When appropriate, we have included a few individuals of note as searching on people is another way to research the union and its activities which can be important when it comes to researching older and lesser known unions and events.
This union was founded in 1865 as the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers International Union of America (BMPIU). It has had several names, including Bricklayers and Masons International Union and Bricklayers, Masons, and Plasterers International Union, but the current name dates to 1995. Two presidents of note are Harry Bates, who played a role in the merger of the AFL and the CIO and was one of the union presidents that served the longest, and William J. Bowen.
The UBC was formed in 1881 by Peter J. McGuire and Gustav Luebkert. One of its earliest actions was a strike to obtain the eight-hour day. It was also known for fighting the open shop movement. Notable union leaders include Frank Duffy, Richard E. Livingston, John S. Rodgers, William Hutcheson, and Maurice Hutcheson. One of the union leaders, John L. Lewis, helped establish the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).
Other unions that were affiliated or merged with it include: International Union of Wood, Wire and Metal Lathers; the Tile, Marble, Terrazzo, Finishers', Shopworkers' and Granite Cutters' International Union; and the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers.
This union was founded in 1896 as the National Union of Steam Engineers of America, and currently represents construction workers who work as heavy equipment operators, mechanics, surveyors, and those who maintain heating and other systems in buildings and industrial complexes. The union changed its name twice: first, to the International Union of Steam Engineers and again to the International Union of Steam and Operating Engineers. The union absorbed the International Brotherhood of Steam Shovel and Dredgemen (1927). Leaders of note include Matthew Comerford and William E. Maloney.
IUPAT was formed in 1887 as the Brotherhood of Painters and Decorators of America and took their current name in 1970. They represent painters, glaziers, wall coverers, flooring installers, convention and trade show decorators, glassworkers, sign and display workers, asbestos worker/hazmat technician and drywall finishers. Names of note include: George F. Hendrick, Lawrence P. Lindelof, Lawrence M. Raftery, Bud Raftery, Joseph C. Skemp, and Clarence E. Swick.
The IWA was initially formed when members of the Sawmill and Timber Workers' Union division of the UBC disaffiliated. In May 1994, they affiliated with what is now the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) as part of the Woodworkers Department.
If you are looking to research the current activities of any of the organizations, union websites and articles are going to be your best resources.
Below are the web pages that represent the organizations mentioned above. There are more general resources related to labor history that may include discussions related to the above organizations on the Internet Resources page. Additionally, the Research Collections page will include links to research institutions that contain significant labor related material.
The following materials link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to digital content are provided when available. Many of the labor organizations published their own magazines targeted at members, but we have not included all of them below. Search the catalog to identify those titles.
American Federation of Labor. Building and Construction Trades Dept. Official Directory by 
Bricklayers' century of craftsmanship; a history of the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers' International Union of America by Constitutions of International Union of Operating Engineers from 1896-1938 by Portrait of an American Labor Leader, William L. Hutcheson : Saga of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, 1881-1954 by Proceedings of the...Convention.. by 
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters : The First Hundred Years by The resources here are specific to the Library of Congress. Some may only be available on-site.
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW)
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC)
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC)
