Twenty seventh June 1952 marked the birth of the Kenya Building, Construction, Timber and Furniture Industries Employees Union (KBCT&FIEU) under the name Painters and Decorators Workers Union. Its first General Secretary was Arthur Aggrey Ochwada (1926 – 2013).

It later changed its name to the East Africa Federation of Building and Construction Workers Union. The name was a representation of its regional tentacles that were existing in the times of the East Africa Community that collapsed in 1977. The following year, its name was changed to Kenya Building Construction, Civil Engineering and Allied Workers Union.

In 1989, it merged with the Kenya Timber and Furniture Workers Union representing workers in the Timber and Furniture Industries. The move was necessitated following the ban on the Timbers union due to internal wrangles.

From December 21st, 2011, the union has had its current name, which was partly informed by the government’s recommendation to do away with the Allied name in its identity.

Joseph Kamau, its long-standing administrator has been with the union since 15th May 1970 and relishes his time with them to this day. “I like the freedom that I have had with the union since the beginning,” he said.

At the time, monthly contributions were Ksh50 but the economy was stable and compliance guaranteed. Mr. Kamau added that even in instances where employers failed to remit, workers would take personal responsibility.

He applied for a clerical job at the union and was accepted. He was later promoted to be an administrator, charged with the responsibility of ensuring the union’s records are properly archived, discipline is maintained and staff records are well stored. He also ensures that mails are dispatched to relevant individuals and organizations.

Joining the union is important as it helps solve grievances on your behalf, it advocates for better terms of employment through Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and it advocates for safe and healthy working environment for workers.

The union is also involved in the value chain industries like hardware…

The union also stands with you when you have a case against your employer and will provide you representation up to the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

The union's National Chairman is Brother Julius Maina while the General Secretary is Brother Francis Murage.

The union has since signed over 28 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and other Recognition Agreements with major industries.

It has also signed CBAs with the Timber Industries Employers Association (TIEA) and the Kenya Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors (KABCEC).

“If more people can join the union, that will give it strength and both the union and members can achieve mutual goals for their growth,” Mr. Kamau affirmed.