BAC JOURNAL ISSUE 1 | 2020
IUBAC | International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
B E ACO N of
HOPE BAC members show solidarity IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
BAC JOURNAL
CONTENTS
The Official Journal of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (ISSN 0362-3696) | ISSUE 1 / 2020 EXECUTIVE BOARD Timothy Driscoll President Robert Arnold Secretary-Treasurer Jeremiah Sullivan, Jr. Executive Vice President Carlos Aquin Executive Vice President REGIONAL DIRECTORS
“
NORTHEAST Al Catalano IU Regional Director, Northeast 304 Kenwood Avenue, #4, Delmar, NY 12054 (518) 439-6080 SOUTH Ed Navarro IU Regional Director, South 6201 S.E. Beaver View Rd, Lawton, OK 73501 (580) 357-3048
PAGE 12
We will continue to do whatever it takes to
make sure our members know that the union is looking out for them.” — Bob Arnold, BAC Secretary-Treasurer
1
President’s Message
26
News in Brief
2
Mensaje Del Presidente
28
Organizing
3
Safety and Health
31
IMI/IMTEF
9
Featured News
35
Canada
13
Members at Work
38
International Funds
18
Community Service
40
Local Compass
21
Legislative and Political
42
In Memoriam
24
MAP
CONTENTS // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
NORTH CENTRAL Keith Hocevar IU Regional Director, North Central 7640 White Pine Ct., Mentor, OH 44060 (440) 534-1108 WEST Raymond Keen IU Regional Director, West P.O. Box 230460, Las Vegas, NV 89105 (702) 254-1988 CANADA Craig Strudwick IU Regional Director, Canada 2100 Thurston Drive, #3, Ottawa, ON K1G 4K8 (613) 830-0333
Editorial Staff: Brian Kennedy, Yin Yin The BAC Journal (ISSN 0362-3696) is published quarterly for $1.50 per year in advance, postage paid, for the U.S. and Canada ($1.75 per year in all foreign countries belonging to the Postal Union) by the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. Periodicals class postage paid Washington, DC, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to the BAC Journal, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, 620 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20004. Canadian Postmaster: Send address changes to PO Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4R6 Published for Bricklayers, Stone Masons, Plasterers, Tile Layers, Marble Masons, Cement Masons, Mosaic and Terrazzo Workers, Finishers, Pointers, Cleaners, and Caulkers.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
G
reetings Sisters and Brothers. I am both honored and humbled to address you as the 30th President of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC). My obligation, and that of my Executive Board colleagues, to advance our Union, our crafts, and our industry is considerable, and one that we eagerly embrace. BAC was founded more than 150 years ago to promote the livelihood, health, welfare and safety of masonry craftworkers and their families. And while our Union has accomplished much over the years, these goals remain as central to our mission today as they were then. Our Union remains dedicated to the proposition that only when the craftworkers engaged in our trades are organized for the explicit purpose of mutual benefit, aid and protection can we achieve such goals. Indeed, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, worker solidarity is more important than ever. The belief that every worker has the right to return home healthy from the jobsite has been a guiding principle for BAC since our founding. However, one of the central challenges that construction workers and their families face during the current pandemic is balancing their livelihood with the health challenges posed by the virus. Lacking any clear guidance or direction from OSHA or other federal resources BAC, in
coordination with the National Building Trades and the Center for Construction Research & Training, has developed a national standard for infectious disease exposure control practices for construction sites. This framework for exposure control (see page 3) outlines planning and implementation elements along with strong minimum standards for construction sites. In fact, in many places across North America, our local unions, contractors, and project owners have already implemented many of these exposure control practices (see pages 13–14). Rather than waiting for action from federal leaders slow to respond to this crisis, BAC is raising the bar for all construction workers. BAC’s response to this crisis is not limited to the jobsite. In the pages of this Journal, there are numerous examples of BAC local unions across North America responding to their communities in this time of need. Whether it be the donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) to healthcare workers on the frontlines of the pandemic, or supporting the first responders in their community, or ensuring that vital building infrastructure projects continue during this crisis, BAC members are there to meet the need (see page 18). It is the dedication of BAC members to their craft, to their communities, and to each other
that has characterized our membership over the years. These core values remain the strength of our union, both at the bargaining table and in the public sphere. Because where unions are most firmly organized is where the rights of working people are most respected. The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis of historic proportions that threatens to challenge the rights of working people across the globe. While the trajectory and timing of this pandemic remains uncertain, BAC is unwavering in its commitment to strive at every level of our Union to ensure that BAC craftworkers, their families, and their communities emerge on a safe and prosperous path. //
ISSUE 1, 2020 // 1
MENSAJE DEL PRESIDENTE
S
aludos Hermanas y Hermanos. Me honra dirigirme a ustedes como trigésimo presidente del Sindicato Internacional de Albañiles y Artesanos Aliados (BAC). Mi obligación así como la obligación de mis colegas en la Junta Ejecutiva de promover nuestro Sindicato, nuestra artesanía y nuestra industria es considerable, y la aceptamos con entusiasmo. El BAC se fundó hace más de 150 años para promover el sustento, la salud, el bienestar y la seguridad de los artesanos de la albañilería y sus familias. Y aunque nuestro Sindicato ha logrado mucho a lo largo de los años, estas metas siguen siendo tan centrales para nuestra misión hoy en día como lo fueron en aquel entonces. Nuestro Sindicato sigue dedicado a la propuesta de que es solamente cuando los artesanos de nuestros oficios se organizan con el propósito explícito de obtener beneficios, ayuda y protección mutuos que podemos lograr tales objetivos. De hecho, durante la actual pandemia del COVID-19, la solidaridad de los trabajadores es más importante que nunca. La convicción de que cada trabajador tiene el derecho de regresar sano a casa desde el lugar de trabajo ha sido un principio rector para el BAC desde nuestra fundación. Sin embargo, uno de los desafíos centrales que enfrentan los trabajadores de la construcción y sus familias durante la pandemia actual
es equilibrar su sustento con los desafíos de salud que plantea el virus. Al carecer de una guía o dirección clara de OSHA u otros recursos federales, el BAC, en coordinación con el consejo Nacional de Oficios de la Construcción (National Building Tardes) y el Centro de Investigación y Capacitación en Construcción (Center for Construction Research & Training), ha desarrollado un estándar nacional para las prácticas de control de la exposición a enfermedades infecciosas para las obras de construcción. Este marco para el control de la exposición (véase la página 3) describe los elementos de planificación e implementación junto con estándares mínimos sólidos para las obras de construcción. De hecho, en muchos lugares de América del Norte, nuestros sindicatos locales, contratistas y propietarios de proyectos ya han implementado muchas de estas prácticas de control de la exposición (véase las páginas 13-14). En lugar de esperar la acción de los líderes federales que tardan en responder a esta crisis, el BAC está elevando el listón para todos los trabajadores de la construcción. La respuesta del BAC a esta crisis no se limita al lugar de trabajo. En las páginas de este Journal encontrará numerosos ejemplos de sindicatos locales del BAC en América del Norte que responden a sus comunidades en este momento
2 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
de necesidad. Ya sea con la donación de equipo de protección personal (EPP) a los trabajadores de la salud en la primera línea de lucha contra la pandemia, o el apoyo al personal de servicios de emergencia en su comunidad, o asegurando que los proyectos vitales de infraestructura de edificios continúen durante esta crisis, los miembros del BAC están allí para hacer frente a la necesidad (véase la página 18). Es la dedicación de los miembros del BAC a su oficio, a sus comunidades y a sus compañeros sindicales lo que ha caracterizado nuestra membresía a lo largo de los años. Estos valores centrales siguen siendo la fortaleza de nuestro sindicato, tanto en la mesa de negociación como en la esfera pública. Porque donde los sindicatos están más firmemente organizados es donde los derechos de los trabajadores son más respetados. La pandemia del COVID-19 es una crisis de proporciones históricas que amenaza con desafiar los derechos de los trabajadores en todo el mundo. Si bien la trayectoria y el horizonte de tiempo de esta pandemia siguen siendo inciertos, el BAC se mantiene firme en su compromiso de luchar en todos los niveles de nuestro Sindicato para garantizar que los artesanos del BAC, sus familias y sus comunidades emerjan en un camino seguro y próspero. //
SAFETY & HEALTH
NABTU and CPWR COVID-19 Standards for U.S. Construction Sites
T
he Occupational Safety and Health Act requires construction employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace. To do this, construction industry employers should develop a comprehensive COVID19 exposure control plan, which includes control measures, symptom checking, social distancing, hygiene and decontamination procedures, and training. An exposure control plan and the following recommendations should be followed before any onsite worker is found to have COVID-19 because many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic and can potentially spread disease. As work is reopening in parts of the United States where it has been shut down, and for the continued protection of our members, the Building Trades Unions believe the following are the minimum standards employers should implement as part of their COVID-19 exposure control plan on all jobsites. To implement a COVID-19 exposure control plan, employers should: + Designate a site-specific COVID-19 officer at every job site. + Plan for office staff to have the ability to work from home. + Training: Train workers with the most recent information on the hazard and control measures,
including social distancing, handwashing facilities on site, and how high-touch surfaces are disinfected. + Screening: Ask workers to self-identify symptoms of fever, coughing, or shortness of breath each day, before the shift, mid-shift, and at home. Screen all workers for fever at the beginning of shifts or when they become ill on the job. Thermometers must be ‘no touch’ or ‘no contact.’ Workers with COVID-19 and other workers who have had close contact with those workers should be put on sick leave. Local health departments should be notified. The area where the sick person worked should be immediately disinfected. Ensure affected workers receive paid sick leave as required under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The U.S. Department of Labor’s poster about paid sick leave under the FFCRA should be posted at the workplace. A copy can be found here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/ dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_ Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal.pdf + Social distancing: Implement social distancing procedures: Create at least 6 feet of space between workers by staging/ staggering crews.
Modify work schedules to stagger work, provide alternating workdays or extra shifts to reduce the total number of employees on a job site at any given time to ensure physical distancing. The recommendation for shifting individual employees should be at the sole discretion of the Local Business Manager or their Representative. Identify choke points where workers are forced to stand together, such as hallways, hoists and elevators, ingress and egress points, break areas, and buses, and put in place policies to maintain social distancing. Minimize interactions when picking up or delivering equipment or materials. Organize the placement of materials to minimize movement on the work site. + Decontamination: Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces on job sites and in offices—such as shared tools, machines, vehicles and other equipment, handrails, doorknobs, and portable toilets— frequently, per CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/community/organizations/ cleaning-disinfection.html Make disinfectants available to workers throughout the worksite and ensure supplies are frequently replenished. ISSUE 1, 2020 // 3
SAFETY & HEALTH + Personal hygiene: Provide soap and running water whenever possible on all job sites for frequent handwashing. If it is not possible to provide running water, disclose the reasons to your workers. Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol as a backup only if providing running water is impossible. Encourage workers to leave their workstations to wash their hands before and after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. + Respiratory protection: If workers need to be near each other to perform tasks or when working in close quarters, such as confined space work, they should wear a NIOSH-approved respirator implemented under a full respiratory protection program. NIOSH-approved respirators include filtering facepiece and elastomeric negative or positive pressure half or full facepiece respirators equipped with N95, N99, N100, R95, P95, P99, or P100 filters.
In response to the construction industry’s questions regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, the following are steps workers should be taking now: + Don’t go to work if you are feeling sick. + Don’t go to work if you have a fever. + Don’t go to work if you have a cough or shortness of breath. + Avoid contact with sick people. + Don’t shake hands when greeting others. + Avoid large gatherings or meetings of 10 people or more. + Stay at least 6 feet away from others on job sites and in gatherings, meetings, and training sessions. + Cover your mouth and nose with tissues if you cough or sneeze or do so into your elbow. + Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. + Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When hand washing isn’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.
Cloth face coverings are not respirators and do not replace physical distancing or respirators required when workers are in close proximity. They should be provided based on state or local governments’ requirements. + Work in healthcare facilities: If you work in healthcare facilities, train your workers in Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA). For information on CPWR’s ICRA training program, visit: https://www.cpwr. com/training/infection-control-riskassessment-icra
+ Clean your hands frequently, including before and after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. + Bring food and water bottles from
4 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
home to the job site and do not share.
+ Drive to worksites or parking areas by yourself—no passengers or carpooling. + Disinfect interiors and door handles of machines or construction vehicles, and the handles of equipment and tools that are shared following employer’s COVID-19 exposure control plan.
Special guidance for older workers and people with underlying health conditions: + Older adults and those with underlying health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease and those with compromised immune systems (such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer therapy) are more at risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19. CDC has additional recommendations for these individuals here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-riskcomplications.html.
Additional links from our federal government partners: + OSHA: https://www.osha. gov/SLTC/covid-19/ + NIOSH: https://www.cdc.gov/ niosh/emres/2019_ncov.html + CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/index.html + CDC for Employers about getting their businesses ready: https://www. cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ specific-groups/guidance-businessresponse.html
Please be aware that people are vulnerable in these uncertain times.
If a colleague or coworker needs mental health or substance use care, they should contact their member assistance program, employee assistance program, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) https:// suicidepreventionlifeline.org //
An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles, pm2.5, COVID-19, corona virus. // Mascarilla tapabocas N95 con filtro
Half face respirator // Media mascarilla de presión negativa y con purificador de aire con filtros P100 Photo courtesy of North-Honeywell
Respirator with organic vapor cartridges // Mascarilla completa con purificador de aire a batería Photo courtesy of North-Honeywell
Normas contra la COVID-19 de los Sindicatos de la Construcción de Estados Unidos
L
a Ley de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional (Occupational Safety and Health Act, OSHA) exige que los empleadores de la industria de la construcción garanticen que sus áreas de trabajo sean seguras y saludables. Para lograrlo, los empleadores de la industria de construcción deben diseñar un plan integral de control contra la exposición a la COVID19, que incluya medidas de control, verificación de síntomas, distanciamiento social, procedimientos de higiene y descontaminación, y capacitación. Debe seguirse un plan de control de exposición, así como las siguientes recomendaciones antes de que se descubra que cualquier trabajador presente en la sede de las labores tiene COVID19, ya que muchas personas con la enfermedad son asintomáticas y pueden propagarla.
A medida que se reanudan las labores en partes de los Estados Unidos donde se interrumpieron, y para la protección continua de nuestros miembros y en nuestra calidad de representantes de negociación para esos miembros, los sindicatos de la construcción creen que las siguientes son las normas mínimas que los empleadores deben implementar como parte de su plan de control de exposición a la COVID-19 en todos los lugares de trabajo. Para implementar un plan de control de exposición a la COVID-19, los empleadores deben: + Designar a un funcionario para
+ Capacitación: Capacite a los trabajadores con la información más actual sobre el peligro y las medidas de control, incluyendo el distanciamiento social, las instalaciones para lavarse las manos en el trabajo y la forma en que se desinfectan las superficies de alto contacto. + Detección: Pídales a los trabajadores que identifiquen por sí mismos los síntomas de fiebre, tos, falta de aliento, escalofríos, dolor muscular, dolor de cabeza, irritación de la garganta y pérdida reciente del gusto o el olfato, cada día, antes del turno, a mitad de turno y en casa. Hágales pruebas a todos los trabajadores para detectar si tienen fiebre al comienzo de los turnos
asuntos de la COVID-19, específico
y cuando se enferman en el tra-
para cada lugar de trabajo.
bajo. Los termómetros no deben
+ Planificar para que el personal
ser “al tacto” o de “contacto”.
administrativo quede facultado
Los trabajadores con COVID-19 y
para trabajar desde casa.
otros que hayan tenido contacto ISSUE 1, 2020 // 5
SAFETY & HEALTH individuales debe quedar al exclusivo criterio del gerente de negocios local o su representante.
cercano con ellos deben ser puestos bajo permiso por enfermedad. Los departamentos de salud locales deben ser notifica-
Identifique los puntos de embotellamiento donde los trabajadores se vean obligados a permanecer juntos, como pasillos, grúas elevadoras y ascensores, áreas de entrada y salida, áreas de descanso y autobuses, e implemente políticas que mantengan el distanciamiento social.
dos. El área donde esa persona enferma trabajó debe desinfectarse de inmediato. Asegúrese de que se dé un permiso remunerado por enfermedad a los trabajadores afectados como lo exige la Ley de Familias Primero de Respuesta ante el Coronavirus
En los ascensores y las grúas elevadoras para el personal, garantice una distancia de seis pies entre los pasajeros en todas las direcciones y equipe al operador con una mascarilla adecuada y demás equipos para la protección personal.
(Families First Coronavirus Response Act, FFCRA). El afiche del Departamento de Trabajo de los EE. UU. que se refiere a los permisos remunerados por enfermedad conforme a la FFCRA debe ponerse a la vista en el lugar de trabajo. Puede
Minimice las interacciones al recoger o entregar equipos o materiales. Organice la colocación de los materiales para minimizar el movimiento en el lugar de trabajo.
encontrar una copia aquí: https:// www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_ WH1422_Non-Federal.pdf + Distanciamiento social: Implemente procedimientos para el distanciamiento social:
+ Descontaminación: Limpie y
Cree un espacio de al menos 6 pies entre los trabajadores mediante el escalonamiento de las cuadrillas. Modifique los horarios para escalonar el trabajo, alternar los días de trabajo o añadir turnos para reducir el total de empleados en el lugar de trabajo en un momento dado, con el fin de garantizar el distanciamiento físico. La recomendación para la colocación a turno de empleados 6 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
desinfecte las superficies de alto contacto en los lugares de trabajo y en las oficinas, como herramientas, máquinas, vehículos y otros equipos compartidos, pasamanos, perillas de puertas e inodoros portátiles, con frecuencia y según las pautas de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/community/organizations/ cleaning-disinfection.html
Ponga a disposición de los trabajadores desinfectantes en todo el lugar de trabajo y asegúrese de reponer los suministros con frecuencia. + Higiene personal: Suministre jabón y agua corriente siempre que sea posible en todos los lugares de trabajo para el lavado frecuente de las manos. Si no se puede suministrar agua corriente, divúlgueles los motivos a sus trabajadores. Suministre gel antibacterial a base de alcohol con más de 60 % de etanol o 70 % de isopropanol como respaldo solo si es imposible suministrar agua corriente. Aliente a los trabajadores a que abandonen sus puestos de trabajo para lavarse las manos antes y después de ir al baño, antes de comer y después de toser, estornudar o sonarse la nariz. + Protección respiratoria: Si los empleados deben estar cerca de otras personas para llevar tareas a cabo cuando trabajen en espacios cerrados, como los trabajos en espacios confinados, deben usar una mascarilla aprobada por el Instituto Nacional para la Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH), implementada conforme a un programa completo de protección respiratoria. Las mascarillas por el NIOSH incluyen la mascarilla con filtro y media mascarilla o la mascarilla completa elastomérica de presión negativa o positiva equipada con filtros N95, N99, N100, R95, P95, P99 o P100. Las cubiertas faciales de tela no son mascarillas y no reemplazan
el distanciamiento físico ni las mascarillas obligatorias cuando los trabajadores se encuentran cerca. Sin embargo, deben suministrarse cubiertas faciales de tela en otras circunstancias cuando lo requieran o recomienden los gobiernos estatales o locales. + Trabajo en centros de salud: Si trabaja en centros de salud, entrene a sus trabajadores en la Evaluación de Riesgos de Control de Infecciones (Infection Control Risk Assessment, ICRA). Para obtener información sobre el programa de entrenamiento de la ICRA del Centro de Investigación y Capacitación de la Construcción (The Center for Construction Research and Training, CPWR), visite: https://www.cpwr.com/ training/infection-control-riskassessment-icra
En respuesta a las interrogantes en la industria de la construcción con respecto al brote de la COVID-19, los trabajadores deben tomar las siguientes medidas de inmediato: + No vaya a trabajar si se siente mal. + No vaya a trabajar si tiene fiebre. + No vaya a trabajar si tiene tos o le falta el aliento. + Evite el contacto con personas enfermas. + No salude con un apretón de manos. + Evite las concentraciones o los encuentros de 10 personas o más. + Manténgase al menos a 6 pies de distancia de los demás en los lugares de trabajo y en las
reuniones, encuentros y sesiones de capacitación. + Cúbrase la boca y la nariz con pañuelos de papel si tose o estornuda o cúbrase con la parte interior del codo. + Evite tocarse los ojos, la nariz o la boca sin haberse lavado las manos.
pulmonar, además de aquellos con sistemas inmunológicos comprometidos (como el lupus, la artritis reumatoide o la terapia contra el cáncer) corren mayor riesgo de enfermarse gravemente a causa de la COVID-19. Los CDC tienen recomendaciones adicionales para estas personas en el siguiente enlace: https://www.cdc.
+ Lávese las manos con frecuencia con
gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-
agua y jabón durante al menos 20 segundos. Cuando no pueda lavarse las manos, use un gel antibacterial a base de alcohol, con más de 60 % de etanol o 70 % de isopropanol. Debe usar agua y jabón si sus manos están visiblemente sucias.
groups/high-risk-complications.html.
+ Lávese las manos con frecuencia, sobre todo antes y después de ir al baño, antes de comer; y después de toser, estornudar o sonarse la nariz. + Traiga al trabajo comida y botellas de agua desde casa, y no comparta. + Maneje al trabajo o a las zonas de estacionamiento solo, no lleve pasajeros ni vaya en autos compartidos. + Desinfecte los interiores y las manijas de las puertas de máquinas o vehículos de construcción, así como las manijas de los equipos y herramientas compartidas, de conformidad con el plan de control de la exposición a la COVID-19 del empleador.
Directrices especiales para los trabajadores de la tercera edad y las personas con afecciones subyacentes: + Los adultos mayores y aquellos con afecciones subyacentes como cardiopatías, diabetes y enfermedad
Otros enlaces de nuestros socios del gobierno federal: + Administración de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA): https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/ + NIOSH: https://www.cdc.gov/ niosh/emres/2019_ncov.html + CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/index.html + CDC para los empleadores acerca de la preparación de sus negocios: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidancebusiness-response.html
Tenga en cuenta que las personas son vulnerables en estos tiempos de incertidumbre. Si un colega o compañero de trabajo requiere cuidados de salud mental o contra el consumo de sustancias, debe ponerse en contacto con el programa de asistencia a los miembros, con el programa de asistencia a los empleados o con la Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) https:// suicidepreventionlifeline.org // ISSUE 1, 2020 // 7
8 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
FEATURED NEWS
From left, IU President Tim Driscoll, former IU President John Flynn, and IU Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold
Driscoll Becomes President of International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
T
im Driscoll, a 35-year member of BAC, succeeded to the International Union presidency on January 1, 2020, upon the retirement of former President James Boland. Driscoll had previously served as Secretary-Treasurer since 2017, and an International Union Executive Vice President from 2010 to 2017. A second-generation bricklayer, Driscoll joined BAC Local 3 Massachusetts in 1985, where he served his apprenticeship and worked as a journeyman bricklayer on numerous commercial and
institutional projects throughout the Boston area. Traveling for work in the early 1990’s, he eventually settled in the Washington, D.C. metro area and joined BAC Local 1 Maryland/Virginia/District of Columbia in 1992. Driscoll’s service with the International Union began in 1995 when he joined the IU’s Government Relations department, later becoming Assistant to the President. He advanced to the position of Director of Trade Jurisdiction in 1999, vigorously and successfully defending
BAC members’ work opportunities in scores of matters over the course of the next decade. During that time, he also served on the AGC Basic Trades Committee, the National ISSUE 1, 2020 // 9
FEATURED NEWS Maintenance Agreement Policy Committee, and administered various other National Agreements on BAC’s behalf, working with many of the Union’s largest signatory contractors. For years, President Driscoll has led the International Union’s efforts to address emerging new products and systems in our
industry, enhancing work opportunities for signatory contractors and BAC members alike. Wellknown since his early work in trade jurisdiction, he is recognized throughout the building trades industry for his judgment and strength, reasoned approach to issues and ability to solve problems and get things done. //
Former International Union President John Flynn, left, swearing in President Tim Driscoll.
Arnold Installed as Secretary-Treasurer
O
n January 1, 2020, President Driscoll appointed Bob Arnold to serve on the Executive Board as Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union. Prior to joining the Executive Board, Arnold served as the National Director of Apprenticeship and Training for
Former International Union President John Flynn, left, swearing-in Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold.
the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation for eight years. Arnold, a 42-year member of BAC Local 21 Illinois, worked on and supervised numerous complex jobs for BAC signatory contractors as a foreman, general foreman, superintendent, and project manager. He began his teaching career in 1998 as an IMI Job Corps instructor at the Paul Simon Job Corps Center in Chicago, Illinois. He then became an instructor with Local 21, and in 2001, Director of the Illinois District Council Training Center (DCTC), one of the largest BAC training centers in the U.S. In 2011, in addition to his DCTC position, he became the IMTEF North Central Regional Training Director and served in that role until becoming National Director the following year.
10 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
President Driscoll said, “I have worked closely with Bob for many years on projects vital to the future of this Union. Bob’s enthusiasm for education and training, his track record of welcoming innovation and promoting members from underrepresented backgrounds, and his overall dedication to BAC’s members make him uniquely qualified for this moment in our Union’s history.” //
Sullivan Named Executive Vice President
P
resident Driscoll appointed Jeremiah Sullivan, Jr. to serve on the Executive Board as Executive Vice President to fulfill the term of Gerard Scarano, who retired on March 31, 2020.
Sullivan, a second-generation bricklayer and union leader, joined the BAC in 1981 as an apprentice bricklayer. Ten years later, after working as a bricklayer, shop steward, layout man and foreman, he was elected President of then BAC Local 9 New York. Following the merger of 8 New York locals, Sullivan’s talents were recognized, and he was appointed Secretary-Treasurer of Local 1 New York in 1997. In 2010 he became President of Local 1 New York, a position to which he was re-elected by the membership numerous times. During his tenure as Secretary-Treasurer, and then President, Local 1’s membership grew by 1500 members, and its assets more
than seven-fold. Over this period, including the worst construction downturn in living memory, Sullivan instituted creative new programs to help signatory contractors remain competitive, keep BAC members working, and sustain the members’ hard-won wages and standards. President Driscoll said of Sullivan, “Jerry is a creative and courageous leader. He brings a tremendous breadth and depth of experience, and a track record of successfully navigating change. I am confident he is the right leader to help our Executive Board steer BAC through the coming years as we build strength upon strength.” //
Retirement of James Boland, International Union President
J
ames Boland, President of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, retired effective December 31, 2019, following more than 24 years of service as an International Union officer, including nearly a decade as President. A native of Ireland, Boland immigrated to the United States
in 1970 to find work and a better life for himself and his family. After joining BAC in 1977, Boland worked in the San Francisco Bay Area in brick, block, stone, and marble before becoming a Business Agent in 1988. In 1992, he became President of Local 3 California, an office he held for two ISSUE 1, 2020 // 11
FEATURED NEWS years until being called to serve the International Union as Assistant to the President for Trade Jurisdiction and Regional Director for California and Nevada. In 1995, Boland was elected to his first term as a member of the IU Executive Board; he became Secretary-Treasurer in 1999, and President in 2010. His accomplishments in office were many and varied, but perhaps none more significant than
his leadership in BAC’s successful effort to persuade OSHA, in the final year of the Obama Administration, to revise its out-of-date and inadequate silica standard. This new silica standard will prevent hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses each year among construction workers, including BAC members. “Jim took the helm of our Union in extremely challenging times,” remarked President Tim
Driscoll. “His passion for working people and his own capacity for hard work stabilized the organization and built it in to the strong and vibrant Union that it is today. And his own experience as an immigrant drove him to ensure that ours will be an inclusive and diverse Union for the future, welcoming of all comers. We are indebted to Jim for his tireless service to BAC and the labor movement.” //
Retirement of Gerard Scarano, Executive Vice President
E
xecutive Vice President Gerard Scarano retired from the International Union Executive Board effective March 31, 2020, ending fifteen years of service as an International Union Officer, and decades of leadership within BAC at the Local and Regional level. Like his father Michael before him, Scarano is recognized as a BAC Gold Card member, having joined BAC Local 35 New Jersey as an apprentice over 50 years ago in August 1969. Scarano’s service and dedication to BAC is part of a family tradition that includes not only his father, but also four brothers, two sisters, and his son Jerry.
12 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
Scarano served in numerous roles at the local level before joining the International Union as Regional Director in 2001. Jerry went on to serve as Executive Vice President, a position to which he was re-elected for three terms. Scarano’s work on the International Union Executive Board included the critical areas of political action, collective bargaining, and safety and health. BAC President Driscoll said of Scarano’s retirement, “Jerry’s many contributions to our Union include his tireless leadership in ensuring that the concerns of BAC members were heard loud and clear in policy debates across North America. His commitment to working families was second to none.” //
MEMBERS AT WORK
Labor and Management Working Together to keep BAC Members Safe
A
s the COVID-19 crisis continues to keep much of our membership at home, some BAC signatory contractors are taking extra precautions to keep work environments safe for our members, especially in situations where members are required to be closer than the 6-foot social distancing guidelines recommend. One of the keys to protecting workers and preventing the spread of the coronavirus is to establish a protocol that workers can follow.
For example, OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have provided resources and guidelines identifying where and how workers could be exposed on the jobsite— strategies that BAC signatory contractors are incorporating into their daily protocols. Examples include: + Requiring sick workers to stay home.
+ Installing hand-wash stations.
+ Offering multiple handsanitizing dispensers.
+ Providing and requiring personal protective equipment (PPE) in areas where it would not normally be required.
+ Modifying work schedules by staggering shifts or offering alternate days of work or extra shifts to reduce the number of workers on a site at one time.
+ Break and lunch time are to be in “open air” when possible and maintain the required social distancing
+ Providing disinfecting solutions to clean tools used by more than one employee.
+ Hosting group safety meetings via social media so that BAC members can view them on their smartphones.
“These protocols are mandatory on our jobsites” says Mike Schmerbeck, President, Back Brook Masonry. “I am confident that if we can enforce and maintain our protocols, we can keep all of our employees healthy!” Brian Jennewein, President, Local 1 MO believes that employing safe practices will enable BAC members to know they are being protected. “As a labor leader, our number one concern is for ISSUE 1, 2020 // 13
MEMBERS AT WORK our members and our members family’s health and wellbeing. Employers such as Heitkamp Masonry are taking every possible step to provide all the necessary PPE to protect our membership.” During such an unprecedented time—one that defies anything we have seen before—keeping a steady line of communications open is critical to maintaining a safe, effective and efficient work environment. “During this pandemic, we have found that we need to be creative and innovative in how we communicate with our employees about the virus, their exposure and what we are doing for them,” says Tim Miller, President, Advanced Masonry Restoration. “Without this key communication, we would fail.” Take, for example, OSHA’s annual respirator fit testing requirement for the construction industry. In early April, OSHA extended a temporary leniency on annual
respirator fit testing to all covered employers, directing its field offices to exercise “enforcement discretion” on fit-testing regulations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of this, employers must still make “good-faith efforts” to comply with OSHA’s respiratory protection regulations, including (among other steps) communicating to workers whether annual fit testing is suspended temporarily. President Allen of the ADC 1 Illinois said, “While most of our members are fortunate enough to be working, my biggest priority is keeping the membership safe on the jobsites. Due to stringent measures being taken by general contractors and our signatory contractors alike, they have been able to adapt the job sites to follow the OSHA and CDC guidelines. We will continue to monitor the progress of each jobsite through these very difficult times”
14 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
IUBAC Secretary Treasurer Bob Arnold says things like this will be a part of the “new normal” BAC members must embrace. As the industry mourns the passing of some of our members from this terrible virus, it is imperative that each of us take the necessary steps to stay healthy. Follow the rules: If you are sick, stay home. If you are at work, wear your mask and gloves. Wash your hands often. “When the first wave of this pandemic passes, we may not even see a new normal until a vaccine is introduced,” Arnold says. “Gestures like shaking hands may be a thing of the past. Masks and gloves could be a staple on all jobsites. But if that is what it takes to keep all of us safe, so be it. We will continue to do whatever it takes to make sure our members know that the union is looking out for them. And if you feel threatened for your safety, call your local business agent.” //
Photo credits: Duncan G. Stroik Architect LLC
A Temple of Brick and Stone Built by Members of BAC Local 2 Michigan
A
fter five years of design and two and a half years of construction, Christ Chapel at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan was dedicated on October 3, 2019, as part of the college’s 175th anniversary celebration. Located in the heart of the campus, the 27,500-square-foot building is the first classical college chapel of its size built in over 70 years. Designed by Duncan G. Stroik Architect in collaboration with LKL Engineers (Toledo, OH) and Ochsendorf DeJong & Block (Cambridge, MA), the entrance portico is an eight-columned “tholos” or tempietto in Indiana limestone,
Brick window arches under construction.
with each load-bearing column weighing 12 tons. Each limestone drum and capital are pinned with stainless steel, and an anchor-plate bolted to the column capital transfers the weight and thrust from the steel tension ring above. A 32-foot diameter and self-supporting dome crowns the tholos. Over 50 bricklayers and masons of BAC Local 2 MI, employed by signatory contractor Weigand
From left, Project Manager of Weigand Construction Kent Gilliom, Donnie Lambert of Local 4 IN/KY, architect Duncan Stroik, and Rod Butler of Local 4 IN/KY.
Construction (Fort Wayne, IN), worked closely on shop drawings and details during the planning and construction for the dome. Solid bricks were laid in a concentric running bond with 1/4˝ joints to strengthen the shell-action of the dome. Eight ribs in special shapes from Belden Brick (Canton, OH) were used with each one’s width narrows as it rises to the peak, keeping consistent 1/4˝ mortar joints. Together the ribs hold in place a limestone rosette keystone, which is cored so that a 900-pound chandelier could be welded to the steel roof structure above. In addition, 53-foot tall perimeter walls standing within 10 feet of adjacent campus buildings were built for the project’s safety. ISSUE 1, 2020 // 15
MEMBERS AT WORK
Photo credits: Duncan G. Stroik Architect LLC
Members of BAC Local 2 Michigan working on the Christ Chapel at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. From left, Al Billings, Steve Yochum, Robbie Oberlin, Dustin Huitt, Al Brooks, Mike Lorntz, and Jake Lance.
The 32-foot diameter, self-supporting dome completed by skilled BAC craftworkers.
Christ Chapel showcases the architectural variety that can be achieved with brick and limestone. The building has eight window arches spanning 10 feet, 17 arches at the front arcades spanning six feet, and countless window arches and limestone
door lintels. The exterior limestone is “variegated” which consists of both gray and buff colors that will weather and even out over time. The interior limestone columns weighing 17 tons are “rustic buff ” which are a more consistent color and have
From left, Quinten Marvin, Chad Cable, and Armando Medinna of Local 4 IN/KY.
16 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
visible fossils in places. All of the limestone columns are load-bearing and have 1/4˝ joints, typical in limestone work. Local 2 MI craftworkers also installed the air barrier and insulation in sequence with the brickwork to ensure the building is equipped with an all-inclusive weather-resistive barrier system. Thanks to the hard work and collaboration of the architects, engineers, and skilled craftworkers, Christ Chapel will stand for centuries as a testament to BAC members’ craft excellence and timeless beauty of masonry in campus architecture. //
BAC Local 8 Illinois Constructs the $50-million Siebel Center
T
he $50-million Siebel Center for Design, located on the campus of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), is starting to take shape after ten years of planning and almost two years of construction. The 59,000 square-foot building, home to five collaboration studios where up to 400 students can learn, is expected to be completed by summer, despite many days of lost concrete work due to extreme cold, snow, and rain. A team from Bohlin Cywinski Jackson’s Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania office successfully designed a welcoming space that gives guests a soothing feeling, from the alignment of the joints on the stone, to the placement of the windows and columns. The building is cleverly integrated into an existing campus green space and is made accessible by a centrally sloped walkway that connects all floors of the building. From 3-D printing, to waterjet Rendering of the Siebel Center for Design.
BAC Local 8 IL member Jim Norris on the job.
BAC Local 8 IL member Tom Barnes on the job.
cutting, to digital media studios, the Center for Design’s students are sure to improve upon their real-world skills when the facility opens in the fall. BAC Local 8 Illinois craftworkers, employed by signatory masonry contractor JJ Braker & Sons (Morton, IL), signatory ceramic tile contractor TSI Commercial Floor Covering (Tinley
BAC Local 8 IL member Jason Morgan serves as foreman on the project.
Park, IL), and signatory waterproofing contractor Western Specialty Contractors (St. Louis, MO) performed masonry, tile, and caulking throughout the project. An estimated 40,000 block and over 3,000 pieces of sandstone will be laid for the building, which also includes over 4,500 square feet of ceramic tile work and 1,300 square feet of Vermont Grayson Slate, quarried and cut to size specific for this project. In addition, flashing is required throughout the job, along with 5” foam insulation. Skilled craftworkers also put 6” of insulation on the outside, as well as a root barrier, a particular challenge during Illinois’ cold winter months. // ISSUE 1, 2020 // 17
COMMUNITY SERVICE
BAC Members Step Up to Support Frontline Heroes
H
undreds of BAC members across the North America are putting their hearts and efforts in action to support frontline workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic. On the job, BAC members are building our cities; off the job, they are extending a helping hand to people in communities, especially in challenging times like this. From the east coast to the west, members are working with contractors and local businesses to deliver Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and food to all frontline workers.
LOCAL 1 NEW YORK In New York City, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of BAC Local 1 New York are stepping up to support healthcare workers and others on the front line. For many days, they’ve been working with local businesses, including Morris Park Inn and Island Empanada in the Bronx, to deliver packaged food to local medical staff and first responders combating the pandemic. “Essential workers help essential workers,” Morris Park Business Improvement District, a community organization in the Bronx, said in its tweet, thanking BAC Local 1 New York members, many of whom
BAC Local 1 NY members, partnered with Island Empanada in the Bronx, have been delivering hundreds of empanadas to local frontline workers. BAC members pictured from left, Field Representatives Mike Barbera and John Cucchirella, Local 1 NY President Jack Argila, Secretary-Treasurer Tony LaCava Jr., and Field Representative Larry Crovatto.
Police officers of the New York City Police Department receiving food delivered by BAC Local 1 NY members.
18 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
Firefighters of the Fire Department in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, receiving food delivered by BAC Local 1 NY members.
Medical staff at Henry Ford Hospital receiving donated PPE from BAC Local 2 Michigan.
are also deemed as essential workers for the city. “We need solidarity more in trying times like this,” BAC Local 1 NY President Jack Argila said. “We thank all our doctors, all the frontline workers and their families for saving lives and keeping us safe. We want to do as much as we can to support them. We are all in this together.”
in Wyandotte, Michigan, BAC Local 2 Michigan President Chuck Kukawka approved the donation to help better protect these frontline workers. Kukawka and Tom Ward, Local 2 MI Apprentice Coordinator, arranged to drop off 30 half-face reusable 3M respirators, 60 packages of P100 filters,
170 pairs of nitrile gloves, 20 Tyvek suits, and 600 pairs of booties. “Some of the local ER staff were brought to tears upon receiving the PPE,” Ward said. “I am glad we could assist these heroes. We stand in solidarity with brothers and sisters on the frontline,” Kukawka said.
LOCAL 2 MICHIGAN Like many places throughout the country, healthcare workers in Michigan are experiencing a shortage of PPE. Concerns for patients, co-workers, and their families are taking a massive toll both physically and psychologically on them. Knowing the need of PPE for the ER team at Henry Ford Hospital
From left, Local 2 MI President Chuck Kukawka, Henry Ford Hospital medical staff Kyle, and Local 2 MI Apprentice Coordinator Tom Ward. ISSUE 1, 2020 // 19
COMMUNITY SERVICE OHIO-KENTUCKY ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT COUNCIL BAC Ohio-Kentucky Administrative District Council donated boxes of N95 respirators to medical staff battling coronavirus at St. John West Shore in Westlake, Ohio, where the recovery floor has been turned into a COVID-19 isolation floor.
Medical staff of the OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute receiving donated PPE from BAC Local 1 OR/WA/ID/MT.
LOCAL 15 MISSOURI/ KANSAS/NEBRASKA
LOCAL 1 OREGON/WASHINGTON/ IDAHO/MONTANA
BAC Local 15 MO/KS/NE Apprenticeship and Training Director RJ Heinse delivered their last boxes of N95 respirators to frontline medical staff at Kindred Hospital Northland in Kansas City, MO. The 50-bed transitional care hospital is also experiencing a shortage of PPE for their medical staff.
Brothers and sisters of BAC Local 1 OR/WA/ID/MT have donated their N95 respirators to area frontline workers, including medical staff at OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute in Portland, Oregon, to help make sure they have the PPE necessary to fight the good fight. A registered nurse working at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit said, “I cannot tell you how much we appreciate the donations of these N95 masks. A huge shout-out to BAC Local 1 President Matthew Eleazer and the members. You guys are absolute saints and we cannot thank you enough.” //
Medical staff of the hospital receiving PPE donated by BAC OH-KY ADC. Tori Branstetter, a respiratory therapist and wife of BAC Local 15 MO/KS/NE member Joseph Branstetter, receives N95 respirators for medical staff of Kindred Hospital Northland.
A thank-you note from the medical team to Ken Kudela, Director of BAC OH-KY ADC.
Nurse Kenadi Trachsel at Kindred Hospital Northland receives N95 respirators from BAC Local 15 MO/KS/NE.
20 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
Donations of respirators to area frontline workers from BAC Local 1 OR/WA/ID/MT.
LEGISLATIVE & POLITICAL
Congress Provides Initial Aid for Workers Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
C
ongress has enacted significant legislation designed to address the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) provide enhanced unemployment benefits, direct payments to individuals, mandatory paid sick leave, and expanded family and medical leave for COVID-19 related absences.
ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IN THE CARES ACT + Weekly UI benefits will be increased by $600 a week through July 31, 2020. This is a federally subsidized benefit provided in addition to the UI benefits provided by those states that reach agreement to participate.
+ Fully reimburses states that waive their one week “waiting periods.”
+ Benefits can be received for an additional 13 weeks beyond what state law typically allows (most states provide 26 weeks), and these enhancements are for unemployment for any reason — not just COVID-19.
+ FFCRA also incentivized states to waive waiting periods, work search and good cause requirements during this pandemic.
DIRECT PAYMENTS + The CARES Act provides direct payments to individuals and families. All U.S. residents with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 ($150,000 for married), are eligible for a $1,200 ($2,400 married) one-time payment. They are also eligible for an additional $500 per child.
+ The rebate amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 that a taxpayer’s income exceeds the phaseout threshold ($75,000 for individuals, $150,000
married). The amount is completely phased out for single filers with incomes exceeding $99,000, $146,500 for head of household filers with one child, and $198,000 for joint filers with no children.
PAID SICK DAYS AND PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE IN FFCRA Employers with fewer than 500 employees must provide all employees, no matter how long they have been employed, with: + Up to eighty (80) hours (two weeks) of emergency paid sick leave for employees who are sick with or quarantined because of COVID-19, or are caring for someone sick with or quarantined because of COVID-19, or are caring for their child whose school or care provider is closed or unavailable due to COVID-19. If the employee is sick or quarantined with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, sick leave must be paid by the employer at full regular pay plus cost of healthcare coverage (capped at $511 per day and $5110 maximum). If the employee is caring for someone sick or quarantined, or a son or daughter whose school or caregiver is closed or unavailable, leave must be paid at ⅔ of regular pay plus cost of healthcare coverage (capped at $200 per day and $2,000 maximum). Part-time workers are entitled to paid sick leave for the number of hours that they typically work over a 2-week period
Employers with fewer than 500 employees must provide all employees who have been employed at least 30 days, with: + Up to four hundred eighty (480) hours (12 weeks) of jobprotected emergency paid family and medical leave for employees to care for a son or daughter whose school ISSUE 1, 2020 // 21
LEGISLATIVE & POLITICAL is closed or caregiver unavailable due to COVID-19. Leave must be paid at 2/3 regular pay plus cost of healthcare coverage The first 80 hours (10 days) are unpaid but the employee may use the paid sick leave described above to cover that first 10 days. The reasons for this leave, the requirement that it be paid leave, and the shorter work requirements all enhance existing Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requirements. The total amount of leave is inclusive of, and not in addition to, any other FMLA leave taken by employees within a leave year.
+ Employers can seek reimbursement for wage and health costs via quarterly payroll tax credit from the federal government, up to the caps listed above.
+ These provisions are effective April 1 through December 31, 2020.
HEALTH CARE SECURITY Because eligibility for health coverage in the unionized construction industry is based on hours worked, job losses and worksite shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic threaten to cause excessive hardship to hundreds of thousands of families. At times such as these we need to expand healthcare, not eliminate it. BAC has successfully lobbied Congress to provide federal COBRA subsidy to ensure displaced workers’ health care continues during this time of crisis. Over 1,200 BAC members and supporters sent letters to to their senators and representatives demanding these subsidies be included.
PENSION SECURITY Nearly 10.5 million Americans, including BAC members, rely on multiemployer pension and annuity plans to provide them dignity in their retirement. BAC members have worked hard for years and paid into these funds to protect their retirement security. The economic impact of this pandemic, lost work hour 22 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
contributions and devastating declines in the stock market, threatens to destroy this retirement system. Congress must act to protect these plans. The federal government must step in with a significant infusion of federal resources to; help funds avoid a selloff of investments at rock bottom value to meet monthly pension obligations, protect the solvency of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and, address the liabilities of underfunded plans. Additionally, pension funds must be permitted to actuarially smooth investment losses attributable to the COVID-19 crisis over an extended period to provide them a fair opportunity to recover. Failing to act threatens the retirement security of millions of hard-working Americans.
ECONOMIC SECURITY A robust recovery will be dependent on the ability to create jobs when the threat of the virus abates enough to reopen the economy to pre-quarantine levels. Massive investment in our nation’s infrastructure is a proven method of spurring job creation and economic growth and is long overdue.
Massive investment in our nation’s infrastructure is a proven method of spurring job creation and economic growth and is long overdue.” Our nation’s critical infrastructure includes schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, water systems, airports, and other public works. It is time that we address these critical needs by devoting significant federal resources to ensure that our schools are safe and conducive to
learning, that hospital capacity meets our healthcare needs, and that transportation and other core infrastructure needs are met. Congress can amplify these efforts by reinstituting programs like the Build America Bonds program that provide states and localities with substantial savings on their borrowing costs while leveraging private investment to fund public works and create thousands of construction jobs.
The challenges that we are facing are enormous, but America has faced challenges before. We must be prepared to be bold, creative and aggressive. Our future depends on it.
MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE While FFRCA and the CARES Act provide much needed relief, more work needs to be done. Nearly $500 billion has been provided to date to bail out corporations during this crisis. BAC is now calling on Congress to make sure that construction workers and all working Americans get the help they need and deserve. Specifically, Congress must act to preserve the health care and pension benefits that BAC members have worked so hard for, and to ensure that our nation’s infrastructure, including school and hospital construction, is part of any economic stimulus bill. //
Workers’ Safety and Health Under Attack
W
orker safety and health have not been a priority for the Trump Administration. In fact, the agency in charge of workplace safety, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at the U.S. Department of Labor, now has the lowest number of health and safety inspectors in its 50-year history. Indeed, the position of Assistant Secretary in charge of OSHA has been vacant during the entire Trump Administration. The reduction in staffing is not just due to budget limitations, but to agency delays in hiring. As a
result, the agency does not have the ability to do on-site inspections even when a workplace has multiple cases of severe injuries. According to the National Employment Law Project, “the data show that since the beginning of the Trump administration, OSHA enforcement activity has been in a steady decline,” while “workplace fatality investigations are at decade-high levels.” Instead of moving forward with new worker protections, OSHA has continued to cut the standards budget and has spent its scarce
resources attempting to roll back recordkeeping and beryllium standards. In fact, today, in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis, the agency refuses to take its infectious disease standard off the long-term regulatory agenda or issue an Emergency Temporary Standard to protect workers from exposure to the virus. OSHA’s mission is to ensure that employers provide their workers safe and healthful work conditions. Under this administration, the agency is not doing its job. We deserve better. // ISSUE 1, 2020 // 23
MAP
Coping with the Trauma of COVID
I
t’s tough to escape the trauma associated with the outbreak of COVID-19. News of worldwide coronavirus contagion and its threats bombard our collective consciousness. We recognize this deadly virus ravages those most vulnerable among us – our elderly parents and grandparents, and those whose immune systems are already compromised by chronic health conditions. We also are aware of its toll on our front-line troops, including doctors, nurses, emergency workers, firemen and women, who are dying in droves. We worry about how to keep ourselves and our families safe, the well-being of our friends, neighbors, coworkers and community, and what will happen next when the pandemic reaches its peak. The pandemic forces us to isolate ourselves from others, to refrain from visiting those who are ill, and from enjoying the relative simplicity of our once normal, ordinary way of life. It further prevents us from connecting with community sources of solace, including attending spiritual services, a child’s sporting event, eating out, shopping at a nearby mall or taking a vacation. In fact, a simple trip to the grocery store is now fought with havoc for fear that we might contract and spread this deadly virus.
The consensus offers easy advice: “Remain calm, don’t panic.” Yet, determining how best to achieve “peace of mind” in the midst of worldwide pandemic is not always an easy endeavor. Here are suggestions for ways to manage the stress of the trauma of this pandemic:
24 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
+ Take care of your physical health — Eat healthy, nutritious meals, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and stick to a daily routine/schedule regardless if you are quarantined at home. Remember that taking care of one’s physical health strengthens mental health.
+ Avoid substance abuse — Refrain from abusing alcohol, tobacco, illicit street drugs and prescription medications. If you have a history of substance abuse problems, recognize your vulnerability to relapse, and reach out to video, web or telephonic resources, including support groups, substance abuse and mental health professionals.
+ Limit overexposure to news — While it is important to stay informed, it is also critical to take emotional breaks from watching, reading about or listening to news reports that feed anxiety and panic.
+ Connect with others — Keep connected with friends, family
and social supports via computer, phone or social media. These relationships serve as invaluable sources of emotional support. These connections also provide a sense of security in the midst of chaos.
+ Take breaks — Despite this disaster, to some extent, “life must go on.” Sticking to household schedules/routines is enormously soothing, especially to children and the elderly. Taking breaks also means giving yourself permission to watch a movie, read a book, play a computer game, enjoy a hobby or any activity that distracts from the disaster.
+ Take care of your mental health — Maintaining mental health is critical to enhancing our ability to cope, while also strengthening our physical immunity to disease. Take practical steps to safeguard against the virus; however, refrain from perpetuating catastrophic thoughts. Catastrophizing mistakenly convinces us that the worst outcomes we can imagine are not just a possibility, but an inevitable reality. Try to maintain a positive outlook whenever possible, seek reassurance from others and remember your resilience in having overcome tragedies in the past. Connect with spiritual values that offer hope.
+ Seek professional help — Don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help should stress become unmanageable. Recognize that help-seeking is a strength rather than a weakness.
KNOWING WHEN TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP Stay alert to warnings signs of trauma-related stress: + Extreme difficulty sleeping,
+ Poor concentration and inability to manage basic daily tasks of living.
+ Low energy, debilitating chronic fatigue.
+ Total lack of interest in performing pleasurable activities formerly enjoyed.
+ Physical health complaints, such as headaches, stomach problems, skin rashes, or worsening of chronic health problems.
including nightmares, intrusive foreboding thoughts and near-constant panic.
+ Feeling constant anxiety, fear,
+ Changes in appetite leading to
+ Abusing alcohol, tobacco, illicit
dramatic weight loss or gain, or relapse of eating disorders.
+ Frequent irritability and temper outbursts; loss of emotional control.
numbness and disbelief, and an inability to regain calm. street drugs or prescription medications, or relapse.
+ Thoughts of harming oneself or others, including suicidal thoughts.
If you or someone in your family is struggling to cope with the trauma of the COVID-19 disaster, please contact the BAC’s Member Assistance Program (MAP) for free, professional information, referral and assistance. All calls to MAP are strictly confidential. MAP’s licensed mental health professionals are available during this crisis and generally accept calls from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (EST); after-hours appointments are available upon request. Call MAP today: 1-888-880-8222, ext. 3201 (tollfree) or directly at 301-741-5188. For more information about coping with disaster-related trauma, as well as for a list of resources, visit https://bacbenefits.org/memberassistance-program. // ISSUE 1, 2020 // 25
NEWS IN BRIEF
BAC Represents at the 2020 World of Concrete/Masonry
B
AC members, local leaders, apprentices and IMI representatives attended the 2020 World of Concrete/Masonry in Las Vegas on February 4–7. The annual event attracts more than 60,000 industry professionals from around the world, representing all segments of the construction industry.
BAC was proud to have a special exhibit, “BAC Women in Masonry,” to showcase opportunities for women in the union masonry industry. Lily Calderon, a 13-year member of BAC Local 21 IL and member of the IU Executive Council, said, “I worked in the video, carpentry, and electrical fields before a training program for women introduced me to bricklaying. I was at the District Council Training Center in Addison, Illinois and just fell in love with the trowel trades. At BAC, we are fortunate to enjoy equitable and welcoming environment for women as craftworkers and as union leaders.” BAC apprentices also had the opportunity to demonstrate their bricklaying skills against apprentices from across the U.S. and Canada that advanced through regional Masonry Skills Challenge competitions in First-, Second-, and Third-year skill levels. Many
Ty’Shawn Pettway of Local 8 Southeast took third place in the competition for first-year apprentices.
BAC Instructors were on-hand to help judge the complex projects. Jesse Steele of Local 4 IN/KY and Ty’Shawn Pettway of Local 8 Southeast took second and third places respectively in the competition for first-year apprentices. In the competition for second-year apprentices, Sebastian Drawdy of Local 52 OH placed second and David Sandoval of Local 21 IL came in second amongst third-year apprentices. Jesse Steele said, “In my apprenticeship program, we’ve been learning how to properly use our tools and spending a lot of time on Sebastian Drawdy of Local 52 OH placed second in the competition for second-year apprentices.
David Sandoval of Local 21 IL placed second amongst third-year apprentices. 26 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
making everything level and plumb, which was really important in this competition. My contractor gives me a lot of help and knowledge, too. This career has been working out pretty well for me. I love the craftsmanship of what we do. It’s not an easy trade, and I like the challenge.”
BAC Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold, who attended the event, praised BAC Women and apprentices’ outstanding performance at the Masonry Skills Challenge. He said, “It was very gratifying to see the dedication from the BAC Women that worked on the
mural and from the BAC apprentices that competed in the Skills Challenge. While the apprentices admit that bricklaying is a challenging trade, they also agree that they have a bright future through our rewarding apprenticeship and training programs.” //
BAC members attend the 2020 Dr. MLK Civil Human Rights Conference
T
his year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference was held in Washington, D.C. on January 17–19. The conference theme, “Give Us the Ballot: A Voting Rights Mandate,” underscored the significance of the upcoming presidential election. “Everyone can have an opinion on whom they are voting for, but we must all acknowledge the importance of what we will lose if we don’t take the ballot and vote,” said IU Regional Representative Russel Smith, one of the BAC delegates to the conference. A special event themed “An Evening with the Colored Girls” was held at the African American History and Culture Museum, featuring four speakers Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Bishop Leah D. Daughtry, and Minyon Moore. One of the BAC attendees, Angela Henderson of BAC Local 1 Washington/ Alaska, said, “These four women’s
From left, IMI’s National Job Corps Director Jonas Elmore, Dwayne Stewart of ADC 1 of IL, BAC Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold, Todd Buckner of Local 1 MD/VA/DC, Inniss Layne of Local 1 NY, Angela Henderson of Local 1 WA/AK, Winall Longdon of Local 1 NY, IU Regional Representative Russel Smith, BAC Executive Vice President Carlos Aquin, Glenn Kelly of Local 8 Southeast, and Glenn Head of Local 4 IN/KY.
lives are focused on the goal of, as they put it, ‘hurrying history,’ so that every American, regardless of race, gender, or religious background, can have a seat at the table. Their lives are part of our history. Their voices point to our future.” Community service has always been an important segment of the conference. This year the attendees delivered packaged food to communities in Washington, D.C. BAC delegates visited more than 20
families and helped deliver boxes and bags to them. The delegates also met with BAC Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold and Executive Vice President Carlos Aquin after the meeting. “We appreciate the leadership of our Union for taking time out of their busy schedule to have conversations with us and listen to our reports about the conference and our daily work,” Smith said. // ISSUE 1, 2020 // 27
ORGANIZING
BAC Local 3 Massachusetts/Maine/ New Hampshire/Rhode Island Welcomes E5 Masonry to the BAC Family
From left, BAC Local 3 MA/ME/NH/RI President Chuck Raso, owner of E5 Masonry Emery Robbins V, and Local 3 Vice President Jim Pimental.
E
5 Masonry (Bourne, MA) became one of BAC Local 3 MA/ME/NH/RI’s newest signatory contractors as the owner Emery Robbins V signed an agreement with the Local in November 2019. Brother Robbins joined BAC in 2006 after completing Local 3’s 10-week pre-apprenticeship program in which Local 3 Vice President and Organizer Jim Pimental was one of two instructors. Upon completing the program, brother Robbins was placed on a project in New Bedford, MA, where he worked coincidentally alongside then shop steward Pimental who later became an Organizer of Local 3.
“From Emery’s first days as a young apprentice, he spoke with a sincere determination of his desire of becoming a union contractor one day,” Pimental said. “Like many dedicated BAC bricklayers, Emery began carrying more and more work in Cape Cod where he lives. Years of work experience with signatory contractors and consistent quality performance on challenging projects helped build a rock-solid reputation for him in the area. Finally, all hard work paid off that Emery began working for himself full time.” Pimental added, “We never lost contact with each other. We’ve had countless meetings and phone
28 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
conversations over the last 13 years. I answered his questions and offered him advice about what steps he needed to take to get into a position to become a BAC signatory contractor.” On the day of becoming a signatory contractor, Brother Robbins recalled that when he was trying to acquire capital 10 years ago, BAC Local 3 President Chuck Raso penned a letter of support for him. He has not only kept that letter, but had it framed and hung above his desk ever since. Brother Robbins has begun the process of applying for a certification to bid prevailing wage work in Massachusetts and has already attended a workshop to attain his Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification. He is actively bidding commercial work as a signatory contractor. “BAC Local 3 looks forward to working with Emery and his company on future projects,” Chuck Raso, President of Local 3, said. “We are also enrolling Emery’s younger brother Eric in our apprenticeship program in the coming months. We wish Emery and E5 Masonry the best and pledge to do everything we can to help him achieve success.” //
Organizers Build Skills Through the Building Trades Academy
O
ver 30 BAC organizers from Locals/ADCs across from the U.S. and Canada attended training courses offered by the Building Trades Academy at the Tommy Douglas Conference Center in Silver Spring, MD on January 27–31, 2020. This was the first of a four-part series of training courses to help new and seasoned organizers in our industry to better serve their Locals in their organizing efforts. The mission of the Building Trades Academy is to provide educational programs that offer useful and practical skill building for Building Trades union staff and leadership, including capacity building for their unions.
Participants of the Building Trades Academy with IU Executive Vice President Carlos Aquin and IU Organizing Director Steve Nelms at the campus of Tommy Douglas Conference Center in Silver Spring, MD.
“Overall, these courses helped our organizers learn to develop and implement strategic organizing plans, create and deliver effective messages, understand and adopt digital communications tools, and run effective and successful organizing campaigns,” said IU Organizing Director Steve Nelms. //
Organizers collaboratively working together as teams to analyze their challenges and discover solutions.
A group of organizers presenting their case study.
IU Organizing Director Steve Nelms explaining organizing strategies. ISSUE 1, 2020 // 29
ORGANIZING
Construction Organizing Membership Education Training Equips Locals to Win
T
he Union’s Construction Organizing Membership Education Training (COMET), a focused three-hour educational training program for rank and file members, continues graduating more members as Locals/ADCs have listed organizing as their top priority in growth. Participants gain hands-on skills on how and why to be more
Local 7 New York/New Jersey
Local 4 California
Local 2 New York/Vermont
actively involved in their Local/ ADC’s organizing strategies throughout the training program. Steve Nelms, IU Organizing Director, said members have been able to apply these skills to their daily organizing efforts and many have achieved organizing successes since graduating from the program. “COMET has been proved resourceful and practical for all BAC organizers and members. As they sharpen their organizing skills, we are launching COMET 2.0 with advanced-level knowledge
30 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
Local 15 Missouri/Kansas/Nebraska
for union activists to prepare them for more organizing successes and jobsite activities,” Nelms announced. The first COMET 2.0 course kicked off at the Local 7 New York/New Jersey training center on February 29. //
IMI & IMTEF
International Masonry Training and Education Foundation Announces DiPerna as National Director of Apprenticeship and Training
T
he International Masonry Training and Education Foundation (IMTEF) welcomed Anthony DiPerna, President of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Local 3 New York, as National Director of Apprenticeship and Training this February. DiPerna is a 33-year member of BAC Local 3 NY. After completing his apprenticeship and gaining experience as a journeyworker bricklayer, DiPerna quickly advanced into leadership roles, working as a general foreman and general superintendent during his 22 years in the field. In 2006, he was appointed Vice President of BAC Local 3 NY before becoming Secretary Treasurer in 2008, and President in 2015. He has also served as President of the Rochester Building and Construction Trades Council and as a trustee of Local 3 NY’s Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), among other leadership roles. BAC President Driscoll says, “We are excited to welcome Brother DiPerna to this critical leadership role for our industry. I have every confidence that Tony’s years of experience as a craftworker, supervisor, local union officer, and Chair
of his local JATC have uniquely positioned him to lead BAC’s training and education programs in the coming decade and beyond.” DiPerna feels strongly that IMTEF and local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Programs’ (JATCs’) lifelong learning opportunities help BAC members lead successful careers in the trowel trades. Not only that, but they keep the Union strong. “Our apprenticeship programs are vital to the longevity of our Union,” he says. “I’m excited to take on this new role and help grow our apprenticeship numbers by introducing a new generation of young, diverse workers to a career in the union trowel trades. Our apprenticeship and training programs provide valuable skills that our members carry with them throughout their lives. BAC journeyworkers can go anywhere in the country to perform our craft, pursue higher education, assume leadership roles and advanced certifications, and make a great living. It truly is a career, not just a job.” “We’re delighted to welcome a national director of apprenticeship and training with a track record of promoting innovative training methods and creating an inclusive
Anthony DiPerna
local union,” says Caryn Halifax, President and CEO of the International Masonry Institute (IMI) and IMTEF. “Tony not only has an unmatched breadth of experience with our training system but is well-regarded for his strong leadership as the president of a successful BAC local union. His excellence as a leader can only help us expand to meet the challenges of training and educating BAC members in this new decade.” DiPerna looks forward to continuing to make training more accessible for BAC members through a number of innovative approaches, including expanded online and virtual reality opportunities, leadership training and mentoring, and more. // ISSUE 1, 2020 // 31
IMI & IMTEF
New Online Learning Opportunities for BAC Members, Contractors
T
he International Masonry Training and Education Foundation (IMTEF) and the International Masonry Institute (IMI) have expanded their online learning opportunities to continue supporting BAC members, signatory contractors, and the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) community amidst shelter-in-place and quarantine measures as a result of COVID-19. From webinars, to virtual “Ask me Anything” opportunities, to self-paced online courses, and more, IMI and IMTEF are committed to supporting the union masonry industry during, and coming out of, the coronavirus pandemic.
BAC MEMBERS: BUILD SKILLS OR WORK TOWARDS A DEGREE FOR FREE If you want to upgrade or stay-upto-date on your training, there are several opportunities available to you. As a reminder, IMTEF facilitates online OSHA 10 (available in both English and Spanish) and OSHA 30 courses on-demand. Contact your Local Training Center or ADC to sign up. IMTEF is also bringing pertinent courses like scaffold safety, construction math, and more online. BAC members can now access selections from IMI’s webinars for architects, engineers, and
construction professionals, with topics ranging from historic masonry cleaning, to job site technology, tile installation, and more. Register for upcoming webinars on IMI’s website: imiweb.org/ training-education-for-designers. On-demand webinars are accessible on the member portal of bacweb.org. Check the member portal of the website often for new additions and updates. Through IMTEF’s partnership with Saylor Academy, you can also access a variety of online professional development courses for free, all while earning credit. With nearly 100 courses to choose from, you can work at your own pace to build skills in areas that matter to you. Classes offered include leadership and teams, introduction to management, time and stress management, project management, as well as courses in the social
sciences, math, English, English as a second language, and more. Visit IMTEF.org for more information.
CONTRACTORS CAN SHARPEN BUSINESS SKILLS WITH OUR CONTRACTOR EDUCATION WEBINAR SERIES IMI’s popular Contractor College classes are now available to BAC signatory contractors online in a webinar format. Contractor College helps employers gain the skills they need to grow their businesses and succeed in a competitive marketplace. Courses offered include developing a quality control/ quality assurance plan, project management basics, financial management, and more. IMI is also continuing to support signatory contractors virtually with services like jobsite troubleshooting and plan and spec review. During the current pandemic, IMI
From webinars, to virtual “Ask me Anything” opportunities, to self-paced online courses, and more, IMI and IMTEF are committed to supporting
32 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
the union masonry industry during, and coming out of, the coronavirus pandemic.”
is also connecting contractors with important information about worker health, job site operations, and more.
DESIGNERS TUNING IN ONLINE TO LEARN THE BENEFITS OF UNION MASONRY AND TILE IMI remains engaged with the design and construction community by offering more of the services that can best assist during this time of remote contact. Architects, engineers, and building owners have been reaching out to our experienced technical staff to seek assistance and take advantage of our design, document, and detail review. This service not only enables IMI to review the design and detailing of the current masonry on a project, but also allows us to identify areas in the project where masonry can be used to increase productivity and save money. This directly translates to more workhours for BAC craftworkers. In addition, IMI is developing technical information to assist in dealing with some of the unique strategies the construction industry will face once construction projects get back on-line. With local material and available labor, masonry is best positioned to be instrumental in the recovery effort. Be sure to visit IMIweb.org and IMTEF.org, along with BACweb.org, for ongoing updates. //
Job Corps Students Prove Determination to Succeed as Tile Apprentices
F
or some young people, moving across states from downtown Chicago to Bowling Green, Kentucky for work would be too big of a life change to seriously consider. Not so for Alexander Howard, tile apprentice with BAC Local 4 IN/KY. “Sometimes, you’ve got to take a chance,” said the former Paul Simon Job Corps Center student. On the opposite coast, Angel Lopez, BAC Local 4 member and graduate of the Inland Empire Job Corps Center in San Bernardino, California, also decided to take a chance to better himself by enrolling in the tile program. “When I was younger, I used to run the streets a lot. If it wasn’t for Job Corps, I would be on the streets still,” he said. In high school, Lopez played varsity football and caught the eye of college recruiters with numerous scholarship offers. But when his mother was diagnosed with cancer, he turned them down. “I’ve got to take care of my family first,” he said. For both Howard and Lopez, the union is an extension of their family. “I’m learning that the union’s like a family, and you have to stick together,” said Howard. On weekends, Howard goes to Regional Job Corps Director Tony Kimball’s home garage, to help other former Job Corps students fix up their cars — a crucial service to get them to and from work reliably. “When I moved to Kentucky, it was like I put my life in Tony’s hands. He turned out to be one of the greatest men I know. I would do anything to help him and other students in the program.” Lopez feels similarly about his instructor from Inland Empire, Jerry Conrique: “There’re a lot of teachers out there that don’t take their time with their students. Jerry is the type of teacher that will get down on his knees and show you how it’s done. I really respected that, because I knew nothing about tile when I entered the program. When we’d be tiling together, I’d look at him over my shoulder and think, ‘man, why can’t you be my dad?’ That’s how much I look up to him. My own father was never in the picture.” ISSUE 1, 2020 // 33
IMI & IMTEF Both students credit the program for teaching them the value of hard work and helping them jumpstart their careers. “In Job Corps, I learned how to use my tools, and I fell in love with tile. It’s like putting a puzzle together, and when you’re done and see how all the pieces come together, it’s really beautiful,” said Lopez. “I got my driver’s license with the help of Job Corps, too.” Other tile students who hope to go on to become BAC members are also benefiting from Job Corps. Like Tial Bik, Denison Job Corps Center student, who joined the program to earn his high school diploma and learn a skilled trade. “One of my friends told me to come to Job Corps. When he finished his trade training, he got a job in construction right away. I wanted that, too,” he said.
34 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
Bik was learning English when he started at Job Corps, his first language being Burmese. Thanks to the program, his language skills have progressed and he’s discovering a career he’s passionate about. “I’m so happy to be doing this. I wanted to finish my education to better myself,” said Bik, who was working in manufacturing before he decided to pursue construction. Howard and Lopez have big goals of their own. Howard hopes to advance from a finisher to a setter and one day start his own tile company. Lopez dreams of being a foreman. “I like the idea of leading and helping people,” he said. “I really support the Job Corps program and want to do all I can to give more students the chance to take advantage of the program and join the union,” Howard concluded. //
CANADA
COVID-19 Federal Resources for Canadian Workers
A
s this BAC Journal goes to print, the Government of Canada has announced Phase One of their relief plan to address the devastating impact of COVID-19 on Canadians. Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan is a comprehensive plan that includes Employment Insurance Information, support for workers and businesses, and support for seniors and children. Below is a summary of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) for workers: + Pays $2000/month for up to 4 months, backdated to March 15.
+ Benefits should be available 10 days after you submit your application.
+ If you’ve already applied for EI, your claim will be moved to the CERB automatically and benefits will be paid from this program first.
+ If you’re currently on EI, you will continue to receive your EI benefits, and if those benefits end before October 3, you can apply for the CERB.
+ If you are sick or unemployed after CERB coverage ends, and you have EI insurable hours, you can apply for normal EI benefits at that time.
More information about the Plan and COVID-19 related resources can be found at https://www.canada.ca/
en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirusdisease-covid-19.html BAC members, along with brothers and sisters from the building trades unions, continue to work hard every day to build infrastructure needed by Canadians from coast to coast. The Canada Building Trades Unions are making efforts to ensure proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and strong health and safety provisions are met on the jobsites. Please check out www.buildingtrades.ca for updated and additional information. Please contact your Local if you have any questions. Provincial Building Trades links are also helpful to track information regionally: + NL: http://tradesnl.com/newsroom/press-releases/ + NB: http://www.nbbctc.com/main.html + NS: https://mainlandbuildingtrades.ca/ + ON: https://ontariobuildingtrades.com/ + MB: https://mbtrades.ca/news/ + SK: http://www.saskbuildingtrades.com/ + AB: https://bta.ca/bta-news/ + BC: https://bcbuildingtrades.org/covid-19-updates/
BAC Local 2 British Columbia Signs Réfraco BC Inc.
I
n January, BAC Local 2 British Columbia welcomed Réfraco BC Inc. (Chicoutimi, QC) as the
Local’s newest signatory contractor. Réfraco has been present in the refractory’s market for
primary and secondary aluminum transformation since 1995 in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. ISSUE 1, 2020 // 35
CANADA Last August, employees of Réfraco signed enough union cards to trigger a “hard cert” vote which under new labor code rules must be held within 5 working days of the certification application. On August 16th, employees voted yes to officially certify Réfraco as an all employee bargaining unit of BAC Local 2 BC. Geoff Higginson, President of BAC Local 2 BC, said this agreement is significant in bringing more work for BAC members. “This is a unique plant maintenance and shop agreement which generates over 24,000 work hours every year for at least a dozen new BAC members. This collaboration between the Union and Réfraco will ensure quality work performed throughout the industry in the area,” Higginson said. //
From left, BAC Local 2 BC member Preston Stewart, Réfraco Representatives Alex Villeneuve, David Lafontaine, and David Xavier, Local 2 BC members Charmain Hull and Jessica Lee, Local 2 BC President Geoff Higginson, and Réfraco CEO Jean-Benoit Pineault. // De gauche à droite, Preston Stewart, membre de la section locale 2 de la Colombie-Britannique; Alex Villeneuve, David Lafontaine, représentants de Réfraco; et David Xavier, Charmain Hull et Jessica Lee, membres de la section locale 2; Geoff Higginson, président de la section locale 2; et Jean-Benoit Pineault, PDG de Réfraco. President of BAC Local 2 BC Geoff Higginson, left, signing its first agreement with Jean-Benoit Pineault, CEO of Réfraco BC Inc. // Le président de la section locale 2 du BAC de Colombie-Britannique, Geoff Higginson, à gauche, signant sa première entente avec Jean-Benoit Pineault, PDG de la filiale Réfraco BC Inc.
COVID-19 – Ressources fédérales pour les travailleurs canadiens
A
u moment de l’impression de la présente revue BAC, le gouvernement du Canada a annoncé la première phase de son plan de secours pour faire face aux effets dévastateurs de la COVID-19 sur la population canadienne. Le plan d’intervention économique du Canada en réponse à la COVID-19 est un programme complet qui comprend des informations sur l’assurance-emploi, un soutien aux travailleurs et aux entreprises, ainsi qu’un soutien aux aînés et aux enfants. Vous trouverez ci-dessous un résumé de la prestation canadienne d’urgence (PCU) pour les travailleurs : 36 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
+ Un versement de 2000 $ par mois pour un maximum de 4 mois, antidaté au 15 mars.
+ Les paiements seront effectués dans les 10 jours suivant la soumission de la demande.
+ Si vous avez déjà soumis une demande en vue de bénéficier de l’assurance-emploi, votre demande sera automatiquement transférée au PCU et les prestations seront d’abord versées à partir de ce programme.
+ Si vous touchez actuellement l’assurance-emploi, vous continuerez de recevoir ces prestations, et si
ces prestations prennent fin avant le 3 octobre, vous pourrez présenter une demande de PCU.
+ Si vous êtes malade ou sans emploi après la fin de la couverture du PCU et que vous avez cumulé un nombre d’heures d’emploi assurable suffisant pour être admissible à l’assurance-emploi, vous pourrez demander à ce moment-là des prestations normales d’assurance-emploi.
Pour plus d’informations sur le plan et les ressources liées à COVID-19, consultez la page https://www.canada. ca/fr/sante-publique/services/maladies/maladiecoronavirus-covid-19.html. Les membres de BAC ainsi que les homologues des syndicats des métiers de la construction continuent chaque jour de travailler d’arrache-pied pour mettre en place l’infrastructure d’un océan à l’autre qui est indispensable à la population canadienne. Les Syndicats des métiers de la construction du Canada déploient des efforts soutenus pour assurer un équipement de
protection individuelle (EPI) adéquat et de solides dispositions en matière de santé et de sécurité sur les chantiers. Pour des informations à jour et supplémentaires, consultez https://buildingtrades.ca/fr/. Pour toute question, veuillez contacter votre section locale. Les liens provinciaux des métiers de la construction sont également utiles pour suivre les informations à l’échelle régionale : + T.N.-L. : http://tradesnl.com/newsroom/press-releases/ + N.-B. : http://www.nbbctc.com/main.html + N.-É. : https://mainlandbuildingtrades.ca/ + Ont. : https://ontariobuildingtrades.com/ + Man. : https://mbtrades.ca/news/ + Sask. : http://www.saskbuildingtrades.com/ + Alb. : https://bta.ca/bta-news/ + C.-B. : https://bcbuildingtrades.org/covid-19-updates/
Accord visant à ajouter Réfraco BC à la section locale 2 du BAC de la C.-B.
E
n janvier, la section locale 2 du BAC de la ColombieBritannique a accueilli son dernier entrepreneur signataire, la filiale Réfraco BC Inc. (siège social à Chicoutimi, Québec). Établi au Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, le Groupe Réfraco est présent depuis 1995 sur le marché des réfractaires pour les industries de première et deuxième transformation de l’aluminium. En août dernier, les employés de Réfraco ont signé suffisamment de
cartes syndicales pour déclencher un vote d’accréditation qui, selon les nouvelles règles du Code du travail, doit avoir lieu dans les cinq (5) jours ouvrables suivant la demande d’accréditation. Le 16 août, les employés ont voté pour accréditer officiellement Réfraco en tant qu’unité de négociation de tous les employés de la section locale 2 du BAC de la Colombie-Britannique. Geoff Higginson, président de la section locale 2 du BAC de la Colombie-Britannique, a déclaré
que cet accord est important pour créer plus de travail aux membres de BAC. « Il s’agit d’un accord unique axé sur la maintenance et l’atelier qui génère plus de 24 000 heures de travail chaque année pour au moins une douzaine de nouveaux membres de BAC. Cette collaboration entre le Syndicat et Réfraco permettra de produire un travail de qualité effectué dans l’ensemble de l’industrie régionale », a souligné Higginson. // ISSUE 1, 2020 // 37
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS IPF
IPF and BAC Save Continue Serving Members During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A
s the stages of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, the International Pension Fund (IPF), like all public operations, is faced with balancing operational needs while keeping the health and safety of IPF staff and community paramount. Accordingly, the IPF has adopted a remote work policy that began March 18, 2020. The IPF’s customer service data shows that more participants are switching from telephone inquiries to accessing benefit information and communicating with the Fund office via the BAC Member Portal (see graphic) or BAC Mobile. The vast majority of IPF participants receive their monthly pension
electronically, which is expected to continue seamlessly. For those relatively few participants who are still requesting paper checks, IPF had undertaken proactive arrangements to ensure that April 1, 2020 benefits were provided timely by Postal Service operations. Similarly, IPF-Canada April checks were timely sent electronically by Royal Bank of Canada or by Canada Post operations. Considering COVID19 safety concerns, the Board of Trustees urges all retirees to take advantage of electronic deposit of their pension benefits. The processing of new IPF and BAC Save applications may take longer than usual, but we will
IPF CUSTOMER SERVICE STATISTICS 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 2014
2015
2016
MEMBER CALLS 38 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
2017
2018
PORTAL REGISTRATIONS
2019
continue to process those and to prioritize BAC Save financial hardship applications to minimize any impact on participants. Participants and applicants can continue to communicate with the Fund staff by phone at 1-888-8808222, calls will be routed to staff’s cell phones so that participants reach our staff as often as possible. The IPF group emails will continue to be monitored and responses made in a timely manner. Participants who are applying for for their IPF pension can email: IPFPensionapplicantinfo@ipfweb.org Those participants who are applying or have applied for their BAC Save Annuity can email: RSPwithdrawal applicantinfo@ipfweb.org Pensioners may similarly reach the IPF Pension Payroll Department as follows: PensionPayroll@ ipfweb.org Participants who are interested in a future pension estimate can email: Pensionestimate@ipfweb.org Please be assured that every effort is being made to ensure that service to members continue with as little disruption as possible. The Fund appreciates your understanding and cooperation during these challenging times. //
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH FUND
Know Your Healthcare Benefits During COVID-19
W
hile significant legislation has been enacted to address the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, BAC continues its efforts to encourage Congress to pass legislation to provide a subsidy for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) coverage. COBRA generally requires that group health plans, sponsored by employers with 20 or more employees in the prior year, offer employees and their families the opportunity for a temporary extension of health coverage (called continuation coverage) in certain instances where coverage under the plan would otherwise end. COBRA gives workers and their families, who lose their health benefits, the right to pay premiums to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time. COBRA rights go into effect under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, death, divorce, and other qualifying life events. Qualified individuals may be required to pay the entire premium for coverage up to 102% of the cost to the plan. In addition, employers are required to maintain an employee’s
group health plan coverage during unpaid family leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) on the same terms as if the employee had continued to work. (And the employee generally must continue to make any normal contributions to the cost.) COBRA rights may be triggered if an employee does not return to work at the end of the paid family leave. If an employee elects to take paid sick leave, the employer also must maintain group health plan coverage to comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which generally prohibits health-based eligibility conditions or benefits limitations (such as actively-at-work requirements). Also, taking paid sick leave will not affect the date on which an employee’s health coverage starts if the coverage has a waiting period. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) provides paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for COVID-19
related reasons and created the refundable paid sick leave credit and the paid child-care leave credit for eligible employers. Eligible employers are businesses and tax-exempt organizations with fewer than 500 employees and are required to provide emergency paid sick leave and emergency paid family and medical leave under the Act. Eligible employers will be able to claim these credits based on qualifying leave they provide between the effective date and Dec. 31, 2020. Equivalent credits are available to self-employed individuals based on similar circumstances. As stated above, under the FMLA, employers must continue group health plan benefits during FMLA leave. Nothing in the FFCRA indicates that this requirement does not apply under the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion. If you have questions regarding COBRA or FFCRA, you should contact your employer or Plan Administrator. //
BAC continues its efforts to encourage Congress to pass legislation to provide a subsidy for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).” ISSUE 1, 2020 // 39
WISCONSIN DISTRICT COUNCIL
LOCAL Compass
Nick Hammes of Local 1 WI, left, receives his 25-year service pin from Jim Vick, Director of Wisconsin District Council.
LOCAL 8 SOUTHEAST
From left, Tobin Boyle, Field Representative Local 4 and 7 WI; Bob Hanus, Vice President of Local 7 WI; Jim Vick, Director of Wisconsin District Council; and 25-year members Lonnie Coplien and Tony Hanus.
Gold Card members Charles Baugher, left, and Ronnie McCoy receive their service awards from Local 8 Southeast President Glenn Kelly.
Fifty-year member Laddie Wilson, right, receives his Gold Card from Local 8 Southeast President Glenn Kelly. 40 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
LOCAL 5 PENNSYLVANIA Gold Card member Greg Orndorff, left, receives his service award from Local 5 PA President Lester Kauffman. Six family members of Brother Orndorff joined BAC. Together with his three deceased brothers and two nephews, they represent a combined more than 300 years of BAC service.
LOCAL 1 NOVA SCOTIA
LOCAL 4 INDIANA/KENTUCKY Local 1 NS member Darrell Jerrett, right, receives his 25-year service from Local 1 President James Moore.
Gold Card member Charlie Kanning (center), Steve Kanning, a 40-year member and BAC signatory contractor with Kanning & Phillips, and first-year apprentice Bryce Kanning on the left, represent three generations of BAC members. BAC Local 4 IN/KY President Ted Champ said, “It’s been an honor to work with all three members. I want to thank this family for all they have done and will do in the future for our Union.”
Local 1 NS President James Moore, right, presents 25year service award to Michael Crane. Missing from the photo is 25-year member James Mombourquette.
Thirty-year member Mike Waltz, right, and 40-year member Greg Waltz, left, present their father Herschell Waltz with his 50-Year Gold Card and watch. The Waltz family has a total of 120 years of service.
Local 1 NS member Hugh Munroe, right, receives his 25-year service award from Local 1 President James Moore.
Retired IU Organizer Ken Raider, center, receives his Gold Card from Local 4 IN/KY President Ted Champ, right, and Evansville Field Representative Matt Singer.
LOCAL 1 MARYLAND/VIRGINIA/ DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Local 1 MD/VA/DC 40-year member Juan Sampedro Jr. receives his service award.
LOCAL 4 CALIFORNIA Gold Card member Michael “Mick” Cleveland, right, receives his service award from Local 4 CA President Lupe Aldaco.
ISSUE 1, 2020 // 41
IN MEMORIAM — OCTOBER
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
Death Benefit Claims for October 2019 Total Amount Paid
$168,900.00
Total Union Labor Life Claims
$3,000.00
Total Death Benefits
$165,900.00
Total Number of Claims
93
Average Age
83.15
Average Years of Membership
56.00
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
Alonzi, Natale - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Ambrose, Roderick D. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Appold, William G. - 02, MI
B, M, MM PC, CM B, CM
84 87 84
38 60 54
Beelek, Richard W. - 01, MO Bernardi, Enrico - 01, NL Beshara, Joseph P. - 55, OH Boles, Alvie L. - 05, OK/AR/TX Bond, Charles - 07, OH Borger, Leonard M. - 05, PA Briere, Donald L. - 21, IL Brugnetti, Alfred L. - 01, CT Buerke, Cory N. - 01, MN/ND/SD
B CM, TL B B B B, M PC TW, CM MM
84 82 88 100 88 85 82 90 38
52 38 67 52 68 60 53 65 15
Calio, Thomas - 01, NY Casadei, William E. - 02, MI Christensen, Terry - 08, IL Clements, Olan D. - 03, AZ/NM Creger, Jerald W. - 06, IL
B TL, CH B, TL B, M B
99 61 68 91 74
69 33 46 68 50
Danielsen, Bruce L. - 06, IL Decuir, Warren J. - 03, CA Delgado, Napoleon N. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Demeter, Joseph P. - 04, IN/KY DePiero, Roger - 04, NJ Deschamp, Richard J. - 01, MN/ND/SD Diana, Flavio L. - 01, NS D’Melio, Jr., Peter J. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Dodrill, Jr., Samuel B. - 01, MD/VA/DC Dove, Sr., Samuel C. - 01, PA/DE Dziuba, Joseph F. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI
B TL CM, B B CM B B, M B FN B M, B, CM
60 102 92 83 75 97 80 95 65 99 89
41 82 63 66 55 66 53 67 31 77 69
Emerick, Harold D. - 08, IL
B, CM
75
35
Fieg, James L. - 09, PA Finck, Oscar M. - 15, MO/KS/NE Finks, William D. - 04, IN/KY Fitzpatrick, William J. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Flumian, Angelo - 02, MI Fowkes, Burton H. - 09, PA
B, M B B B, CM TL B, CM
90 96 82 79 92 84
55 72 64 54 53 64
Geis, Everett H. - 05, OK/AR/TX Gillis, James H. - 07, CO/WY Glover, Raymond T. - 07, NY/NJ Guastella, Giuseppe - 06, ON
B B TL B
90 79 67 97
67 61 40 68
Harber, William F. - 04, IN/KY Henry, Charles F. - 04, IN/KY
B B
91 91
50 62
42 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
Hoffman, Charles L. - 15, MO/KS/NE Hucke, William - 08, OH
B, M B
77 91
55 71
Iskierka, James M. - 01, MN/ND/SD
TL
49
29
Joyce, Festus - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI
B
81
60
Kaiser, Lester J. - 06, IL Koumbis, John I. - 21, IL Krupp, John - 46, OH
B B CM, M, B
95 81 75
69 51 51
Lanzafame, Santo F. J. - 01, NY Leosewski, Joseph A. - 09, PA Lewallen, Phil D. - 05, OK/AR/TX Liguori, Frank A. - 04, NJ Lincicum, James D. - 13, WI Londre, Ronald J. - 08, WI Lowry, Samuel G. - 09, WV
B B, M B B, CM, P TL B B
87 98 77 91 68 86 91
66 48 51 70 41 66 66
Mailhiot, Michael G. - 21, IL Manzella, Salvatore - 18, MO McDonald, John - 02, ON Mell, Robert L. - 01, MO Menendez, Angel - 06, OH Moorman, Thomas F. - 22, OH
PC TL, MM B B B, M B
63 91 91 88 95 85
36 54 66 64 71 52
Nichols, Donald - 09, PA Notarangelo, Antonio - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI
B B
63 93
40 55
Olivieri, Charles F. - 07, NY/NJ Orebaugh, Clark - 15, MO/KS/NE
FN B, M
92 91
31 72
Panzini, William M. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Pfalz, Sr., John C. - 05, WI Pfeiffer, Donald R. - 08, IL Polizzi, Philip - 03, NY Primus, Celso - 01, PA/DE Proshek, William F. - 01, MN/ND/SD
TL, B TL B B, CM, M, P M B, M, MM
87 86 83 89 89 86
57 60 68 68 60 63
Rayman, Sr., Milton W. - 22, OH Renschler, Warren J. - 03, NY Reyes, Carlos M. - 07, NY/NJ
B B FN
81 94 38
63 69 12
Sheridan, Jr., Edward M. - 05, NJ/DE/PA Shiraishi, Richard H. - 01, HI Short, Robert E. - 21, IL Shuldt, William J. - 01, OR/WA/ID/MT Sirovatka, Robert J. - 21, IL Stamm, Jr., Carl - 09, WI Steele, Jr., Billy R. - 05, WV Straniero, Sam - 05, OH Sullivan, Clarence C. - 01,NL
B M B, M B, M MW, TW B, M B, M B B, M
83 87 86 75 83 90 65 95 91
62 57 57 51 52 70 43 70 67
Thill, Ronald G. - 21, IL Thompson, Hubert S. - 02, MI Thompson, Robert D. - 55, OH Thomson, Alexander S. - 02, BC Treder, Clarence J. - 05, WI
B B B, MM B TL
85 84 81 75 78
63 62 56 43 20
Wilkinson, Sr., Jack C. - 01, MO Willers, Hermann - 01, NY Williams, James F. - 01, WI Wolboldt, Glenn A. - 40, OH Woodruff, Douglas J. - 02, NY/VT
B B B, M, W B, CM B
88 85 89 87 59
71 60 62 58 26
IU DEATH BENEFIT CLAIMS MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE MEMBER’S DEATH.
IN MEMORIAM — NOVEMBER Death Benefit Claims for November 2019 Total Amount Paid
$189,300.00
Total Union Labor Life Claims
$4,000.00
Total Death Benefits
$185,300.00
Total Number of Claims
106
Average Age
86.67
Average Years of Membership
56.76
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
Amorati, Sr., Louis J. - 04, NJ Andreoli, Giuseppe - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Arndt, Daniel W. - 02, MI Atkinson, Paul R. - 09, WV
B, CM CM B B, MM, TL
92 80 80 78
71 49 57 51
Baca, Robert - 03, AZ/NM Badesso, Gino - 05, PA Bailey, Richard L. - 04, CA Banevich, Jr., Edward J. - 05, PA Bernacchio, Italo M. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Bogan, William M. - 09, PA Bollati, Jr., Charles - 07, NY/NJ Brewer, Sr., Hulbert C. - 04, IN/KY
B MM, TL, TW B B, M M, B, CM B, M TL B
63 91 87 73 96 93 95 86
43 57 63 49 72 69 67 51
Campbell, Jesse A. - 09, PA Carter, Douglas M. - 05, OK/AR/TX Carter, Lawrence R. - 08, SE Cestra, Arcangelo - 02, NY/VT
B B MM, M B, CM, M, P
89 92 87 76
65 70 68 54
Darker, Brian K. - 05, PA DeMarco, Pasquale E. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Derewicz, Gerald W. - 07, NY/NJ Diasio, Michael L. - 05, OH DiCarlo, Giuseppe - 07, NY/NJ DiRienzo, Alfred A. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Dybedahl, Gerald A. - 01, MN/ND/SD
PL B FN B FN B PC
47 89 78 70 73 88 76
14 59 31 50 30 69 34
Ercolani, Joseph F. - 05, PA
B, CM, P
93
72
Faught, Jr., William C. - 22, OH Ferdelman, Scott A. - 01, MN/ND/SD Ferris, David L. - 15, MO/KS/NE Forgue, Jr., Albert J. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Fournier, Edward V. - 06, IL
B B B B CM
69 57 64 64 84
40 36 34 34 34
Gatturna, Andrew J. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Gazdik, Jr., John P. - 04, IN/KY Geiwitz, Richard R. - 01, WI Gouger, Richard - 01, NY Graham, Lee M. - 02, NY/VT Gurgol, Alexander G. - 36, OH
B B, CM, P B, M B CM TL
75 84 88 37 88 90
52 33 70 1 49 42
Hallman, Howard P. - 22, OH Harvey, Warren E. - 02, NY/VT Hoger, Michael G. - 02, MI Houser, Jr., Mark D. - 01, PA/DE Hunter, Sr., Harry - 08, SE
B B, CM PC, B, CM, M PC, CM B
89 92 63 27 91
41 68 39 4 68
Ingraham, Felix M. - 21, IL Ippolito, Nicholas - 21, IL Iseppi, Riccardo L. - 01, CT
B B CM, M, P, B
88 93 92
65 50 61
Jahnsen, Martin R. - 01, MO Jevens, Gerald F. - 34, WI
B B, CM, M, P
80 83
58 59
IU DEATH BENEFIT CLAIMS MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE MEMBER’S DEATH.
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
Johnson, Garry P. - 03, NY
B
60
40
Klingel, Edward E. - 05, PA Krueger, Paul A. - 21, IL
B, CM, M, TL PC
66 55
28 26
Leschinsky, John P. - 08, OH Lochner, Leroy J. - 01, MN/ND/SD Loy, Erwin F. - 74, IL
B, M B P
67 88 88
41 61 70
Maghan, Joseph E. - 05, NJ/DE/PA Maida, Leo - 08, SE Marcolini, Anthony B. - 03, AZ/NM Martins, Antonio B. - 07, NY/NJ Marzella, Joseph E. - 05, NJ/DE/PA Mauck, Sr., Richard R. - 05, PA Mazzola, Luciano - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Medaglia, Louis A. - 07, NY/NJ Melita, Santo - 01, NY Messina, Charles P. - 04, NJ Meyers, William - 05, OK/AR/TX Miller, Edward J. - 21, IL Miller, Richard L. - 15, MO/KS/NE Minella, Harry D. - 01, NY Minor, Lawrence D. - 02, MI Mizzau, Mario A. - 02, ON Monteiro, Jose M. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Munson, Peter A. - 04, IN/KY Muratori, Frank - 46, OH
B, CM, P P, CH B MM B, CM, P B, M B, CM FN B P B FN B, W B PC, CM B, M CM B MM, TL
87 94 92 88 90 88 85 81 89 92 92 77 82 86 78 91 87 85 92
59 58 64 48 70 69 53 30 68 69 47 31 64 29 56 61 49 55 70
Pacella, Joseph W. - 18, OH/KY Padula, John R. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Panuzio, Jr., Louis R. - 02, NY/VT Pauley, Sr., Edwin F. - 05, OK/AR/TX Petrovcic, Jozef - 02, BC Picone, Louis S. - 04, NJ Pilarski, John H. - 21, IL Pinedo, Luis A. - 04, CA Poccia, Ernest - 01, NY Potts, Harry J. - 02, NY/VT
B B, CM B, M B, W B B, CM, P B FN B B
92 87 89 94 82 86 90 73 91 72
59 65 69 68 53 64 70 29 64 54
Rennich, Frank - 01, MN/ND/SD Restaino, Nunzio A. - 15, MO/KS/NE Ridenour, Jr., Frederic B. - 03, NY Rudek, Sr., Edward - 01, CT Ruff, William J. - 21, IL Rust, Bennie W. - 04, CA
B B B, M B, CM B B, M
92 92 86 94 85 94
67 68 68 71 66 72
Scheer, Leo H. - 04, IN/KY Scholz, Joseph E. - 04, CA Seaboyer, Roger J. - 05, PA Searley, John E. - 03, NY Sharp, Bobby G. - 08, SE Smith, Frank E. - 02, MI Sneed, Martin L. - 04, CA Stahmer, Herman C. - 18, OH/KY Studt, Richard M. - 18, OH/KY Surface, Jeffrey L. - 04, IN/KY Suzuki, Kenshichi - 01, HI Sykes, Richard W. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI
B, M B B B B, CM, M, P PC, CM B B MM, M B M B
95 90 69 89 80 93 82 90 67 73 95 73
72 72 30 62 54 67 58 69 34 54 57 49
Tarabocchia, Domenico - 07, NY/NJ Thompson, Tony L. - 08, IL Tisbert, Louis - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Tripi, Vito J. - 01, NY
TW, CH B, M B, M B
82 54 88 88
49 34 64 65
Velardo, Sr., Domenick J. - 01, NY
B, M
93
77
Wahl, Jr., Larry E. - 13, NV Wardell, Edward P. - 01, WA/AK Williams, Melvin - 04, CA
M, MM, MW, TL B, M B
78 72 77
58 49 52 ISSUE 1, 2020 // 43
IN MEMORIAM — DECEMBER Death Benefit Claims for December 2019 Total Amount Paid
$58,000.00
Total Union Labor Life Claims
$2,000.00
Total Death Benefits
$56,000.00
Total Number of Claims
35
Average Age
87.44
Average Years of Membership
56.00
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
Krystyniak, Thaddeus P. - 03, NY Kunst, Jr., Joseph - 21, IL
B, M B
94 91
70 69
Leomanczyk, Leonard J. - 06, IL Lozano, Jr., Francisco - 04, CA
B, W B
97 65
72 46
Mendes, Jack - 18, OH /KY Merrell, Sr., Robert L. - 07, CO/WY Multani, Mann - 01, NY
MM, M TL, MM PC
83 79 58
66 48 3
Noel, Sr., John B. - 04, NJ Nowicki, James V. - 02, MI
B, CM, P B
86 67
62 42
O’Bryan, John D. - 08, IL Osborne, Vernon K. - 03, AZ/NM
B B
80 69
58 50
Patrizio, William J. - 09, PA Pederiva, Angelo - 02, MI Porter, James D. - 06, IL
TW B, M PC
90 98 20
70 69 1
Rapol, Daniel L. - 44, OH Remer, Jerald - 01, MN/ND/SD Robbins, Sr., Larry D. - 08, SE Robery, David W. - 21, IL Russo, Anthony - 07, NY/NJ
B B B, M B FN
76 83 82 83 83
57 64 64 63 30
TL, MM B B
94 91 68
65 61 33
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
Adams, Paul J. - 02, MI
PC, W, CM, P
79
60
Bidoli, Sr., Leonard L. - 09, PA Boneville, Richard P. - 01, NY Borsari, Lawrence A. - 08, SE
B B TL, MM
83 90 87
60 69 59
DeGrouttola, Vincent - 08, SE
B
89
65
Erwin, Paul C. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI
FN
77
31
Foutch, Gordon A. - 15, MO/KS/NE
B
91
68
Schwensow, Erwin P. - 05, WI Simington, Sr., John R. - 04, CA Sparks, Deborah D. - 03, OH
Jennings, Paul J. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Jones, J. T. - 21, IL
B B
70 95
19 69
Terada, Takeshi - 01, HI Thomas, John H. - 01, NY
B, W B
94 32
57 8
Kornbau, Roy H. - 05, PA
B
82
54
West, Jr., Howard A. - 08, SE
B, CM, P
92
70
IN MEMORY OF BROTHER ARON JORDAN
L
indsey “ARon” Jordan of BAC Local 7 Kentucky passed away on March 31, 2020 after testing positive for the novel coronavirus. He was only 49 years old. Brother Jordan was a BAC member for over 21 years who enjoyed being a union bricklayer, and who always had enormous respect for those who had paved the way for the Union. His daughter Sarah said that his father had a kind heart, an unrelenting sense of humor, and a passion for glam bands like KISS. He was a loving husband, father of seven and grandfather to seven more. “We had spent many years working together on projects and also many weekends hanging out, collecting old masonry tools, vinyl records and working on classic cars,” Richard Moon, Local 7 KY Field Representative and a dear friend of Brother
44 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
Brother Jordan, left, with his family.
Jordan, said. “He always made sure family came first. Our Union Brother and best friend will be missed by many.” //
IU DEATH BENEFIT CLAIMS MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE MEMBER’S DEATH.
IN MEMORIAM — JANUARY
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
Death Benefit Claims for January 2020 Total Amount Paid
$164,275.00
Total Union Labor Life Claims
$1,000.00
Total Death Benefits
$163,275.00
Total Number of Claims
95
Average Age
82.54
Average Years of Membership
55.21
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
Albert, William J. - 44, OH Arnold, Jacob E. - 08, SE Avila, Richard J. - 03, CA
B, CM B B
85 89 88
68 69 55
Barrick, Robert E. - 05, PA Basile, Alfred V. - 01, MD/VA/DC Bell, Warren D. - 03, CA Belmonte, Giovanni - 01, NY Benneham, George - 01, MD/VA/DC Benson, Lester D. - 01, MN/ND/SD Bertossi, Marino - 02, ON Bettencourt, Kit - 03, OH Blehm, Sr., Arden L. - 04, CA Buttazzoni, Dino B. - 05, OH
B TW, TL B B B B B B TL, MM TW
76 90 82 79 87 81 85 72 83 88
34 71 60 32 48 58 60 54 60 69
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
Jones, Billy B. - 21, IL
PC
89
63
Kannegiesser, Lyle E. - 04, CA Kelly, Frank A. - 05, OK/AR/TX Kidd, Randall C. - 15, MO/KS/NE Klimach, Emil F. - 05, NJ/DE/PA Knamm, Thomas D. - 02, NY/VT Krueger, Richard J. - 15, MO/KS/NE
B B B, M, W B, CM, P B, CM, M, P B
87 78 73 88 76 93
60 59 55 62 52 65
Laid, Aleksander - 01, MN/ND/SD Lamb, Richard A. - 03, CA Lauterjung, James E. - 08, IL Lewis, George A. - 21, IL Linton, William F. - 06, IL Lussier, Pierre - 04, QC Lyon, Wayne L. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI
B TL B B CM, PC B M, P, B, CM
93 62 86 71 83 88 90
66 16 68 43 61 68 68
Mancini, Michael D. - 01, PA/DE Matczak, Scott A. - 21, IL Matsuda, Charles K. - 01, HI McClaren, Joseph A. - 01, PA/DE Mitchell, Ronald G. - 05, OK/AR/TX Monchery, Emmanes - 01, NY Murray, Sr., Kenneth L. - 01, NY
B B M B B B B
93 60 91 89 91 88 65
70 26 57 65 71 48 31
Neuzil, Gerald J. - 56, IL
B
84
60
Oeser, Joseph H. - 21, IL
B
89
67
Patrizio, William G. - 09, PA Pedulla, Joseph A. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Peters, Jr., George P. - 05, PA Pizzinat, Livio - 04, CA
TW CM B TW, TL
57 83 84 83
35 58 66 57
Rosteck, John W. - 01, MO
B
92
71
TL B B B B, M, P B B
42 83 57 97 93 84 89
18 57 18 68 66 49 69
Callegari, Tullio I. - 01, NS Capistran, Jean P. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Carter, Philip R. - 18, OH/KY Cerasuolo, Vincent C. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Corina, Sr., Anthony J. - 02, NY/VT Cowart, Wade G. - 08, SE Czisny, Charles J. - 05, WI
B, M B, CM B, M PC B, CM, P B, M TL
86 94 97 87 90 95 89
52 71 69 59 70 56 52
Sanchez, Jose O. - 01, WA/AK Scamuffo, Luigi - 01, NY Show, Bernard D. - 05, PA Sieber, Nelson L. - 08, WI Solazzi, Donato - 04, NJ Stephens, David - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Sumner, Leslie G. - 13, NV
Dear, Royce E. - 02, MI Delong, Dennis R. - 02, MI DeQuasie, Carl F. - 05, WV DiMartin, Richard - 03, NY Duncan, Billy D. - 13, NV
B, CM B B B B
82 74 85 88 90
55 51 28 67 64
Taylor, Donald P. - 03, NY Thelen, Stanley J. - 02, MI Throne, Edward - 01, MD/VA/DC Treadway, Clyde A. - 04, CA
B, M B, M FN TL
85 74 81 73
64 51 30 46
Uding, Francis J. - 01, MO
M
83
63
Fanella, Sr., Luigi - 06, ON Farish, Charles M. - 02, BC Freeland, Ronnie C. - 05, PA
B B B, M
83 90 74
45 62 50
Valente, Martino - 01, ON Volpe, Gino M. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI
B CM, PC
89 98
62 73
Galisin, Stephen - 04, IN/KY Georgia, Sr., Donald A. - 03, WI Ghilardi, Giacinto G. - 02, MI Giorgi, Giuseppe - 07, NY/NJ Grant, James W. - 02, NY/VT Grant, Robert C. - 01, PA/DE Grizzaffi, Joseph - 01, NY
B CM TL FN M B B
96 88 86 98 56 72 75
68 55 58 30 20 50 57
Wachter, George P. - 09, PA Wagner, Thomas R. - 09, PA Walker, Ernest E. - 01, NY Ward, James A. - 04, NJ Warren, Jack L. - 03, CA Watenpaugh, Junior J. - 07, CO/WY Wilson, Ronald V. - 15, M0/KS/NE Wright, Leonard M. - 15, WV
B B B B, CM, P B, M B B B
89 87 74 81 94 94 73 78
71 61 37 62 68 70 51 57
Hallman, Jon W. - 01, NY Harris, Charles S. - 03, OH Hathcock, Joe D. - 08, SE Havican, Charles G. - 01, NY Hearrell, Earl F. - 07, OH Hockman, Robert E. - 55, OH Holland, Michael E. - 04, IN/KY Hummel, Thomas R. - 21, IL
PC B PC B B TL, M, MM B PC
65 89 73 78 90 78 55 87
46 51 48 56 68 53 37 57
Ijams, Richard C. - 55, OH
B
90
70
Jackson, Glasford - 01, NY
B
72
33
IU DEATH BENEFIT CLAIMS MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE MEMBER’S DEATH.
ISSUE 1, 2020 // 45
UNION PLUS CAN HELP COVID-19 has impacted all of us. Union Plus can help. Our Union Plus program partners have accommodations for members struggling during this public health crisis. Participants in our Union Plus Mortgage, Credit Card, Personal Loan, or Supplemental Insurance programs may be eligible for additional hardship assistance through the Union Plus Mortgage Assistance Program and Union Plus Hardship Help. Visit unionplus.org and follow Union Plus on Facebook at facebook.com/ unionplus for ongoing program updates and resources. Be well and stay healthy, The Union Plus team
Learn more at /
unionplus.org