New York (State). Legislature. Joint Legislative Committee on Housing

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.

...