Home

About Us

History

Members

Home

United Hispanic Construction Workers, Inc. is a non-profit coalition of construction workers; men and women, headquartered in the Longwood section of the Southern Bronx. Although our members happen to be primarily Black and Latino, we are open to all who want to join. We have been in existence since 1982, with several hundred members being currently a part of the organization. They work in all possible trades of the construction industry, including, but not limited to, laborers, welders, plumbers, masons, carpenters, engineers and electricians. The coalition helps members secure work by taking them out early mornings, Monday through Friday in our vans to job sites throughout the Bronx and Manhattan areas. We have developed and sustained productive relationships with many of the contractors and developers in these jurisdictions who then help put our members to work due to the reputation and goodwill that we have built on throughout the years. A typical morning at the UHCW headquarters commences when members assemble for shape selection. “Shape” is a process for seeking work in the construction industry. Twelve hour days and due diligence by David Rodriguez, the President, and his tight-knit team of Field Directors helps discover and secure employment opportunities for UHCW members. Many of our members would be unemployed or underemployed if not for the tireless efforts of this organization, underpinned by the persistent drive and vision of David Rodriguez.We would be remiss if we neglected to mention the pivotal administrative support that keeps the organization running smoothly. Carmen Tirado-Rodriguez heads the office operations; an effort fueled by her earnest passion for helping people. Without her guidance and expertise, the organization would no’t be nearly as efficiently run as it currently is. Her efforts and that of the office staff help keep the organization as highly functioning as possible, which ultimately helps to better serve the members and the community. We are proud of the reputation we have held for nearly 30 years in which we are the only legitimate coalition remaining in the NYC area. We also would like to underscore that we do not discriminate based on age, race, sexual preference, creed, or any other factors. We welcome all walks of life, and turn no one away as long as they have a sincere desire to work hard for an honest day’s pay. Our office hours are from 6AM to 6PM Monday through Friday. The coalition provides recreational facilities for all of our members. This is done to engender a positive mood within the organization, as well as to help foster a familial atmosphere while the members wait to be called on for employment opportunities at one of the sites that our network helps to grow and sustain. The coalition also provides assistance with helping members become unionized. If needed or wanted, we also refer our members to the many city agencies that can help them with their specific needs, so that they can improve their particular circumstances leading to them becoming more productive members of society. Visit us today!
History No Frame

At its outset, the coalition was created in the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement. During that era, minority workers vowed to get an equitable share of jobs in the bustling business of construction. In the fight to force the industry to include African American workers, a coalition called Harlem Fight Back was formed. Another coalition during this time was the Black Economic Survival (BES), an organization founded in the Bronx, —though later relocating to Brooklyn where it’ is still active today. BES was also formed to secure construction jobs for their community in an industry then closed off to them due to endemic institutional racism within the construction industry. Believing that Harlem Fight Back and BES only helped black workers, and not Latinos, Frankie Santana founded the United Hispanic Construction Workers in 1982 to help provide a platform of employment and enfranchisement for the Hispanic contingent. Six years later, David Rodriguez defeated Joe Lopez in the 1988 election for the Presidency. While the originating focus for Mr. Santana was on having Latinos as members exclusively, David Rodriguez envisioned a more inclusive organization that saw past ethnicity and sought to help all who needed and wanted an opportunity to better themselves, Latino, Black, White, whomever…...As President, David welcomed members of all races and sought to incorporate women into the organization beyond merely token or ceremonial roles. His vision of the coalition is that it is all-inclusive. This preeminent belief has filtered throughout the culture of the enterprise, and we believe this is why it has been so resilient in the face of turbulent economic times and other external pressures. “Accessibility” is a keystone principle of a coalition that originated with only 10 members and has now grown to over 300, and counting...
Members No Frame

UHCW is committed to developing leadership and providing resources for men and women of all races in the construction industry. We want all of our members to be as productive and self-sufficient as possible. As a member, you will receive numerous opportunities to work, to connect and to learn from various contractors in the industry. Becoming a member requires you to report for orientation at 7AM with required documents (Wednesdays only). By law, you will need your 10 hour OSHA card to be eligble to work on a construction site. We have an authorized trainer on site who can provide this certification; the two five hour classes cost a total of $120. Once you are a registered member you must arrive for shape everyday from 6AM to 6PM. Member benefits include: Access to the UHCW recreational facilities, including but not limited to: gym, free wi-fi, television, etc. Annual holiday events Member requirements include: "“Shaping" ”—- shaping does not require long hours, but is recommended to increase chances of being called up for jobs.Dues —- once members are employed, they are required to pay weekly dues of $25 that will contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of the organization.Mandatory participation in member meetings on Thursdays at 6PM to discuss ongoing changes in the construction field and issues that affect the organization. Members only.
Gallery No Frame

DSCN0736.jpg
DSCN0730.jpg
DSCN0744.jpg
DSCN0728.jpg
DSCN0804.jpg
DSCN0807.jpg
246827_207945909240727_183636008338384_475591_7957772_n.jpg
249791_207945985907386_183636008338384_475595_2032724_n.jpg
249497_207945169240801_183636008338384_475556_7341360_n.jpg
255142_207944645907520_183636008338384_475531_2814090_n.jpg
260003_207946425907342_183636008338384_475617_181950_n.jpg
254353_207945939240724_183636008338384_475593_4711811_n.jpg
php6jgn9yPM.jpg
249467_207944375907547_183636008338384_475517_3931635_n.jpg
246926_207946122574039_183636008338384_475601_680303_n.jpg
248249_207946405907344_183636008338384_475616_5219141_n.jpg
249585_207946325907352_183636008338384_475611_4551797_n.jpg
254064_207944345907550_183636008338384_475515_1144796_n.jpg
phpgGOgqmPM.jpg
phpr5EtR9PM.jpg
251786_207944359240882_183636008338384_475516_3620847_n.jpg
phpiLw5rWPM.jpg
249839_207946269240691_183636008338384_475607_1362433_n.jpg
249811_207944465907538_183636008338384_475521_4176831_n.jpg
260257_207945315907453_183636008338384_475562_5080731_n.jpg
249725_207946455907339_183636008338384_475618_3302686_n.jpg
247555_207946369240681_183636008338384_475614_5701540_n.jpg
253761_207945972574054_183636008338384_475594_180421_n.jpg
247283_207946482574003_183636008338384_475620_6446831_n.jpg
255147_207944952574156_183636008338384_475546_2270892_n.jpg
259996_207944632574188_183636008338384_475530_3295698_n.jpg
247904_207944405907544_183636008338384_475518_3855964_n.jpg
252816_207946089240709_183636008338384_475599_2432032_n.jpg
253629_207946382574013_183636008338384_475615_2522294_n.jpg
248922_207945285907456_183636008338384_475561_6608564_n.jpg
248345_207946309240687_183636008338384_475610_765880_n.jpg
247595_207945209240797_183636008338384_475558_5148759_n.jpg
248637_207946469240671_183636008338384_475619_1402108_n.jpg
251142_207944932574158_183636008338384_475545_6452819_n.jpg
249489_207945929240725_183636008338384_475592_1144467_n.jpg
246894_207945665907418_183636008338384_475580_1387442_n.jpg
247964_207944619240856_183636008338384_475529_1694701_n.jpg
247809_207946005907384_183636008338384_475596_5471414_n.jpg
253509_207944449240873_183636008338384_475520_565062_n.jpg
249529_207944432574208_183636008338384_475519_4249568_n.jpg
248389_207946035907381_183636008338384_475597_1337201_n.jpg

Contact Information Office Phone: (718) 991-8269Office Fax: (718) 991-0508Mailing Address: 843 Dawson Street, Bronx, NY, 10459David RodriguezPresident/Field Directordrodriguez_uhcwinc.orgSamuel LopezVice President/Field Directorslopez_uhcwinc.org Carmen Tirado-RodriguezActivities Director/Office Managerctirado-rodriguez_uhcwinc.orgDaryll JenningsField Director djennings_uhcwinc.orgRichard RodriguezOffice Administrator rrodriguez_uhcwinc.orgJason Tirado Media Director jtirado_uhcwinc.orgKenneth J. Thomas, MASCL Director of Communications kthomas_uhcwinc.orgGeneral Information uhcwinc_uhcwinc.org