Black labor unions have played a significant role in advancing the rights and protections of Black workers throughout American history. One of the earliest Black unions in the United States was the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, which was founded in 1925 by A. Philip Randolph. This union was groundbreaking in that it was the first African American labor union to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor (AFL).

The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters fought against discriminatory practices and policies within the railroad industry and successfully negotiated for better working conditions and higher wages for its members. This union also played a key role in the broader civil rights movement, as it was involved in the organization of the March on Washington Movement in the 1940s, which called for an end to segregation and discrimination in the defense industry.

Other prominent Black labor unions include the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, which was established in 1972 and works to promote the interests of Black workers within the labor movement, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which has a long history of advocating for racial and economic justice within the shipping industry.

Overall, Black labor unions have been instrumental in fighting for equality and justice in the workplace, and have paved the way for greater opportunities and protections for Black workers in the United States.