Research

Administrative History

Many of the problems caused by the construction trades industry were epitomized by groups like the Building Trades Council (BTC). The committee exposed Council President Robert P. Brindell's practice of using threats, selling "strike insurance," and manipulating the labor supply to extort money from builders and contractors.

Initially Brindell, operating under a charter of the American Federation of Labor, gained control of the wrecking trade. Since demolition of old buildings often preceded a new construction project, Brindell would require that contractors use only union labor on their new project--specifically BTC union labor--or he would withhold the services of the demolition crews, thereby stalling the project. With this small toehold, Brindell built a construction trade empire.

Once he had a lock on choice work assignments, he coerced other parts of the construction industry to join the Building Trades Council. He then set prices as he pleased and accepted bribes to "prevent" strikes, with the contractors passing on these additional expenses to the cost of construction, thereby driving up the cost of housing. "Brindell exercised absolute despotism" over the the construction industry, the committee reported, and eventually Brindell and his chief adjutants were indicted and convicted.