BAC
JOURNAL
IUBAC | INTERNATIONAL UNION OF BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS | ISSUE 1 | 2022
WINDY CITY STRONG BAC Members of ADC 1 of Illinois at Work
BAC JOURNAL
CONTENTS
The Official Journal of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (ISSN 0362-3696) | ISSUE 1 | 2022 EXECUTIVE BOARD Timothy Driscoll President Robert Arnold Secretary-Treasurer Carlos Aquin Executive Vice President Jeremiah Sullivan, Jr. Executive Vice President REGIONAL DIRECTORS NORTHEAST Al Catalano IU Northeast Regional Director, Albany, NY Email: actalano@bacweb.org Office: 518-439-6080 SOUTH Ed Navarro IU South Regional Director, Lawton, OK Email: enavarro@bacweb.org Office: 580-357-3048
PAGE 16
NORTH CENTRAL Keith Hocevar IU North Central Regional Director, Cleveland, OH Email: khocevar@bacweb.org Office: 440-534-1108
“By building the dugouts, we are also building memories for the family, as well as bringing residents of our community together.” — Dustin Bradford, Field Representative of BAC Local 1 OR/WA/ID/MT
1
President’s Message
24
Legislative and Political
2
Mensaje Del Presidente
26
MAP
3
Members at Work
27
International Funds
11
Workers Win with Solidarity
30
Canada
14
News in Brief
31
Sporting Life
17
Community Service
33
Local Compass
19
IMI/IMTEF
35
In Memoriam
22
Safety and Health
CONTENTS // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
WEST Raymond Keen IU West Regional Director, Las Vegas, NV Email: rkeen@bacweb.org Office: 702-254-1988 CANADA Craig Strudwick IU Canada Regional Director, Ottawa, ON Email: cstrudwick@bacweb.org Office: 613-830-0333
Editorial Staff: Emily Smith, 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
Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan
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rothers and Sisters, I trust this finds you and your families safe and healthy. While the trajectory of the Covid-19 virus appears to be waning in many parts of the US and Canada we need to continue our best virus mitigation practices. Forecasts for construction projects across North America remain robust with predictions of increased activity for the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors for 2022 and beyond. Accordingly, it is an opportune time to review our goals as a union for the coming year. BAC is dedicated to the goal of empowering workers in our trades to achieve the highest wages, benefits, and standards for their labor, while enhancing their ability to provide for their families and enriching the communities they live in. The distinction between a goal and wishful thinking is planning. Towards that end, BAC’s objectives for the coming years will be focused in four primary areas: organizing, training, public advocacy, and industry advancement. According to the most recent Gallup poll, 68% of Americans approve of labor unions. That is the highest approval rating since 1965 and a strong indicator that conditions are ripe for increasing union membership. However, at the same
time, corporations, developers, and non-union contractors are fighting in unprecedented ways to prevent workers from joining or being represented by unions. Whether it is the UAW members who fought John Deere for better terms (see page 11), the members of BCTGM who opposed Kellogg’s effort to impose a substandard contract (see page 12), or the craftworkers of Mid-Atlantic Restoration & Masonry (see page 16) organizing for BAC representation, these victories were earned by workers, not given to them. BAC’s efforts to grow work opportunities for our trades require that we successfully meet the current demand for skilled trowel trades workers. Contractors, developers, and designers base future decisions on current and past performance. Fortunately, we have the tools in place to provide the highest quality training in the industry (see page 19). Combined with aggressive local union campaigns to organize the non-union craftworker, and provide improver training as needed, BAC will remain the preeminent source of skilled craftworkers in the industry. There is an urgent need to engage the public on the benefits of union construction and the unspoken costs of unfair competition on the backs of workers. This is a
message that is resonating loudly with the public. We see it in the successful strike activity across our countries and in a resurgence of organizing activity. Public sentiment that makes the use of non-union contractors unacceptable is a powerful tool. Similarly, we need to stand with elected officials who appreciate that unions are a public good and are not afraid to say so (see page 24). Lastly, we need to advance the role of all BAC trades in a changing construction industry by engaging owners, developers, and designers on the multiple benefits of masonry construction. This means promoting not only the building performance qualities of the materials and systems that BAC members install, but also the value of the community-sustaining careers that BAC work opportunities provide. At the end of the day, there are no better representatives of the value that union construction represents than BAC members themselves. Your commitment to, and support of, your local union is what sets us apart. Stay healthy and stay safe, Brothers and Sisters!
ISSUE 1, 2022 // 1
MENSAJE DEL PRESIDENTE
Planifica tu trabajo y trabaja en tu planificación
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ermanos y hermanas, espero que ustedes y sus familias se encuentren bien y estén sanos. Si bien el virus de la Covid-19 parece estar disminuyendo en muchas partes de los EE. UU. y Canadá, debemos continuar aplicando nuestras mejores prácticas para mitigarlo. Los pronósticos para los proyectos de construcción en América del Norte siguen siendo sólidos, con predicciones de una mayor actividad para los sectores industrial, comercial e institucional desde el 2022 en adelante. En consecuencia, es un momento oportuno para revisar nuestras metas como sindicato para el próximo año. El Sindicato Internacional de Albañiles y Artesanos Aliados (International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, BAC) se dedica a empoderar a los trabajadores en nuestros oficios para lograr los salarios, beneficios y estándares más altos por su trabajo, al tiempo que mejora su capacidad para mantener a sus familias y enriquecer a las comunidades en las que viven. La diferencia entre una meta y una ilusión es la planificación. Con ese fin, los objetivos del BAC para los próximos años se centrarán en cuatro áreas principales: organización, capacitación, defensa pública y progreso de la industria. Según la encuesta más reciente de Gallup, el 68 % de los estadounidenses aprueba los sindicatos. Ese es el índice de aprobación más alto desde 1965 y un fuerte indicador de que las condiciones son perfectas para aumentar la afiliación sindical. Sin embargo, al mismo tiempo, las corporaciones, los desarrolladores y los contratistas no sindicalizados luchan sin precedentes para evitar que los trabajadores se afilien o sean representados por sindicatos. Ya sean los miembros del Sindicato Internacional, Trabajadores Unidos de Automóviles, Aeroespaciales e Implementos Agrícolas de América (The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, UAW) que lucharon contra John Deere por mejores términos (consulte la página 11); los miembros del Sindicato Internacional de Trabajadores de Panadería, Confitería, Tabaco y Molineros de Granos (Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers’ International Union, BCTGM) que se opusieron al esfuerzo de Kellogg de imponer un contrato deficiente (consulte la página 12); o los artesanos de Mid-Atlantic
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Restoration & Masonry (consulte la página 16) que se organizan para representar al BAC, estas victorias fueron ganadas por los trabajadores, no dadas a ellos. Los esfuerzos del BAC para aumentar las oportunidades de trabajo para nuestros oficios requieren que satisfagamos con éxito la demanda actual de trabajadores calificados que trabajan con paletas. Los contratistas, desarrolladores y diseñadores basan sus decisiones futuras en el desempeño actual y pasado. Afortunadamente, contamos con las herramientas para brindar capacitación de la más alta calidad en la industria (consulte la página 19). Combinado con campañas sindicales locales y agresivas para organizar a los artesanos no sindicalizados y brindar capacitación para mejorar según sea necesario, el BAC seguirá siendo la fuente preeminente de artesanos calificados en la industria. Existe una necesidad urgente de involucrar al público en los beneficios de la construcción sindical y en los costos tácitos de la competencia desleal que ocurre a las espaldas de los trabajadores. Este es un mensaje que está resonando fuertemente entre el público. Lo vemos en las exitosas huelgas en nuestros países y en el resurgimiento de la actividad organizativa. El sentimiento público que hace inaceptable el uso de contratistas no sindicalizados es una herramienta poderosa. De manera similar, debemos respaldar a los funcionarios electos que opinan que los sindicatos son un bien público y no tienen miedo de decirlo (consulte la página 24). Por último, debemos promover la labor de todos los oficios del BAC en una industria de la construcción cambiante al involucrar a los propietarios, desarrolladores y diseñadores en los múltiples beneficios de la albañilería. Esto significa promover no solo las cualidades de rendimiento en la construcción de los materiales y sistemas que instalan los miembros del BAC, sino también el valor de las carreras de apoyo a la comunidad que brindan las oportunidades de trabajo del BAC. Al fin y al cabo, no hay mejores representantes del valor que simboliza la construcción sindical que los propios miembros del BAC. Su compromiso y apoyo a su sindicato local es lo que nos distingue. ¡Manténganse saludables y seguros, hermanos y hermanas! //
MEMBERS AT WORK From left, BAC Local 21 IL Tile Setters Donald Bachler and Mark Parker.
Windy City Strong How BAC members built one of Chicago’s most significant skyscraper projects
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oaring high above the intersection that includes River North, the Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast, One Chicago Square is the latest addition to the Windy City’s iconic skyline. The mixed-use project, which gets its name from its 1 W. Chicago Avenue address, replaces a block-sized parking lot across from Holy Name Cathedral. Scheduled to be completed in early 2022, One Chicago’s two towers (969 feet and 574 feet, respectively) will feature 735 rental apartments, 77 owner-occupied condominiums, 1,100 parking spaces, 60,000
square feet of office space, a Whole Foods and a Life Time athletic club. Part of the team logging hours in the skyline-altering project included a number of BAC members working for A.L.L. Masonry Construction (17,000 hours), Bourbon Tile & Marble (31,000 hours), Granite Innovations (30,000 hours) and the Mike Cachey Construction Company (1,800 hours). They joined project developer JDL Development and general contractor Power Construction. “BAC members are proud to be part of constructing another
great building that will be an iconic element of Chicago’s skyline,” said the President of Administrative District Council 1 of Illinois Mike Volpentesta. “This structure will always be remembered by the people who worked on it as proof that we will continue on after this historic pandemic – overcoming all obstacles as they were put in front of us.”
PANDEMIC STRESSED SUPPLY CHAIN In a development so encompassing — built in a time of such unprecedented challenges and circumstances — one of the most ISSUE 1, 2022 // 3
MEMBERS AT WORK interesting developments surrounding the work rested in the shipping problems spawned from supply chain interruptions worldwide. The issues primarily started after the foundations were constructed since the products mainly used for that — concrete, insulation, drywall, etc. — are manufactured in North America. Bigger setbacks happened when it was time to use materials that were manufactured or sourced overseas. For example, the stone selected for the One Chicago project was sourced from India, and the shipping costs and delays doubled the price. “There were no time constraints for our installation, as we are able to follow behind the storefront installer and the concrete contractor with ease,” says Mike Cachey, owner of Mike Cachey Construction Company Inc. “But the shipping
times were doubled. Instead of taking six weeks, some shipping durations took six months.” Cachey said his team was able to order their material as soon as it was picked. They worked closely with the Power Construction team, who were understanding of where the delays were and why. Breaking ground pre-pandemic, construction on One Chicago Square is expected to take up to 42 months, as the developers continue to roll out the timeline in three phases — delays and all. Mike Cachey Construction Company was in charge of installing two types of limestone and granite, as a veneer, honed granite for curbing in the planters and polished granite under the storefront. The Cachey team, including Foreman Tracy Wollenburg, Local 21; Supervisor/Foreman Michael
Pazanin, Local 74; Jerry Huey, Local 21; and Marcel Mundo Maldonado, Local 74, worked on 5,800 square feet of stone. Throughout the process, the team encountered challenges not unbecoming of a project this size. One of those incidents involved having to drill holes in the granite to receive the pins, and then pinning the granite to the concrete. Since granite is such a hard stone, drilling the holes heated up the bits so much the tips deformed and burnt up. To tackle the problem, Pazanin developed a little jig — a piece of plywood featuring a 3-inch square cut out with rubber gaskets, which held the water and kept the drill bit cool, also eliminating any dust. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges came from the design itself. “Architects are always
Jeffrey Cooper, D Installations, Local 21 Tile Setter
Exterior of the One Chicago Square.
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drawing stuff that’s impossible to do,” Pazanin said. “They have a detailed drawing for a clip for the façade stones that is to receive a clip that mounts to the wall, and then screws to a clip that holds the stone. The space between the stone and the metal panels is 3 inches and sits 2 inches back. They show it was supposed to fasten with a Phillips screwdriver. How can you fit a Phillips driver in a 3-inch space with a 1.5-inch screw that leaves only 1.5 inches to get a Phillips driver in?” To solve this design problem they fastened the stone panel clips using 1.5” stainless steel Tek screws with a 3/16” ratchet. “It required a work-around” said Pazanin “but that's what we do as bricklayers. We find solutions to keep the job moving, on schedule, and on budget.”
BAC Local 21 IL Tile Setter Elton Marco.
BAC Local 21 IL Bricklayer Jerry Huey Jr.
“Our members used their training and experience to help troubleshoot problems to complete this project,” said BAC President Tim Driscoll. “With shipping delays affecting jobs across the country, contractors are seeing the strength of BAC trained craftworkers to get the jobs done right, without further hold ups.”
DANCES WITH SHOWERS Some of the most challenging work for BAC on One Chicago Square was the intricate tile design specified for the tower's shower and bathroom areas. Boasting 276 apartments with 388 bathrooms and 69 condo units with 166 bathrooms, BAC members put extraordinary effort into making the primary bathrooms in the condos as remarkable as the building itself.
For example, one of the shower walls has a very large cut-out for a niche and several smaller cut-outs for a bench. Typically, cut-outs of these sizes would compromise the integrity of the 60-inch x 120-inch x 6mm gauged porcelain tile panels and would not be recommended by the manufacturer. However, by adhering Schluter’s 5/8-inch Kerdi Board to the back of the panels and cutting out the openings on a water jet to make the remaining panel seamless and offer stability, the team at Bourbon Tile & Marble came to the rescue. In any area, due to tight corners in the condo units, drywall was left off some walls so the larger 60-inch x 120-inch panels could be passed through or navigated around. “There are anywhere from 10 to 20 60-inch x 120-inch panels per condo master bath,” said Nancy Bourbon, owner ISSUE 1, 2022 // 5
MEMBERS AT WORK and President of the Buffalo Grove, Il. company. “The external skip elevator was scheduled to be taken down before the bathrooms were scheduled to be installed, and the internal elevator is not large enough to transport the number of panels that were needed on each floor.” To offset the challenge, the Bourbon team coordinated getting the material from its vendor to pre-stock the upper floors over three weekends before the skip came down. The panels were then secured and protected onsite. Since the niche walls are field measured and fabricated, they are transported one by one until they are ready for installation, using a technique called the doghouse — a raised section in the rear of the cab — in the freight elevator. “Fortunately for us, there were some delays in the skip coming down, which allowed us a little extra time to get material onto the amenity floors and any remaining panels into the condo units,” Bourbon says. “Every project offers new experiences that you can learn from and new challenges to overcome. This one was no different.” The Bourbon Tile & Marble team has tallied 14-plus months on site, working on 388 apartment bathrooms and 166 condo bathrooms, encompassing 72,000 square feet of 24x48 apartment tile; 31,000 square feet of 60x120; 28,000 square feet of 30x60, and 8,500 square feet of 2x2
and 12x24 condo tile; and an additional 4,600 of 60x120 and 3,500 square foot various sized tile for the amenity tile. “The amount of GPT (Glazed Porcelain Tile) used on this project is unprecedented,” says Matt Jaicomo, a Local 21 tile setter who has been with Bourbon since 2006, when he started as an apprentice. “Our workforce had already been trained on installing GPT and had experience doing so, however, extra equipment was needed to accommodate multiple crews working at the same time.” While every project has its share of challenges, Jaicomo says the size of the material and overall scope of the One Chicago Square project
created logistical challenges not typically considered on other projects. “I’m very thankful that our shop showed the initiative to meet these issues head on, providing the necessary equipment to be as safe and efficient as possible. In the field, it goes without saying how proud I am of our crew. Every setter and finisher refused to let these day-to-day challenges beat us. Each one played a huge role in the overall success of this project.” Bourbon Project Manager Christine Bailey echoed Jaicomo’s sentiments, saying that watching a project move from phase to phase, challenges and all, to completion is like poetry. “Our entire Bourbon staff has done
A finished bathroom inside the One Chicago Square.
Members of BAC ADC 1 of IL working together to install a large tile in a shower room.
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A finished living room inside the One Chicago Square.
a great job working together to provide a beautiful, quality installation. It’s always fun to work on a project of this size. The fact that it is being built with a team that includes great clients like Power Construction and JDL Development is even more rewarding. There’s a feeling of accomplishment when everyone works together for a common goal.” Jeff Roers, Project Manager for A.L.L. Masonry Construction Inc., says the ability to have so many talented teams pulling in the same direction is what makes BAC such a powerful force. A.L.L. typically fielded a 10-man crew of masons on the project, working from May 2020 to August 2021. The team worked on approximately 120,000 concrete blocks, plus rebar and grout, rounding out to roughly 2.1 million square feet of work upon completion. “This was a project secured via a competitive bid and a solid working relationship with Power Construction,” Roers says. “That relationship carried through all phases of our work, ensuring that it was completed on time in a quality manner. We are proud to count this project among the many others we’ve had a part of over our history that make up Chicago’s skyline.” Mike Petritis, Executive Vice President and Director of Tile, Marble & Terrazzo for Administrative District Council 1 of
From left, BAC Local 21 IL Tile Setters Pierluigi Luzzi and Alexander Vodicka.
From left, BAC Local 21 IL Tile Setter Rick Ruiz, Local 21 IL Apprentice Tile Finisher Rick Martinez, BAC Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold, and BAC President Tim Driscoll.
Members of BAC Administrative District Council 1 of Illinois installing tiles for the swimming pool inside the One Chicago Square. Learn how the BAC team completed a Life Time project by installing more than 50 different types of tile on page 8.
Illinois says the One Chicago Square project came to Chicago at the perfect time. “This project shows the ability to have two of largest general contractors in Chicago come together in a setting that put all the crafts of the
ADC and Local 21 to the test. We stepped up and built one of the most impressive structures in Chicago, one that has a lot to offer the people of the city.” //
ISSUE 1, 2022 // 7
MEMBERS AT WORK
Larger than Life BAC helps ‘wellness pioneer’ create one-of-kind ‘healthy lifestyle’ destination
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verything about One Chicago Square — the highly anticipated mega mixed-use project on the city’s west side — is larger than life, even the amenities. Along with a 65,000-square-foot flagship Whole Foods, One Chicago features Life Time River North, an athletic resort designed to also have office space for multiple companies or individuals to share (called coworking). If you ask Local 21 Illinois member James Fulton, Field Superintendent for D Installation, he will tell you that the scope of work that BAC members logged was even more impressive than it may appear at first glance. This was a complete custom tile job loaded with more than 50 different types of tile throughout the project. Included in the work was everything from basic quarry tile in the kitchen area, to large-format thin porcelain tile as big as 5 feet x 10 feet infused with decorative metals, giving the wall tile depth and character. Across the country, Life Time is known as a strong non-union company, often awarding work to non-union contractors. As a union tile setter leading the D Installation team charged with creating a signature facility, Fulton says he and his BAC brothers and sisters committed to show Life Time the difference that master union craftwork makes. The feedback has been incredible. “We intend to finish strong by putting out a beautiful product,” Fulton said — the kind of beautiful product that is only produced by the best union craftworkers. The BAC team working for D Installation averaged about 32 workers on this project, logging 20,000 hours on the primary facility and another 1,100 hours on the pools. “The schedule was condensed immensely, and we basically had about four months to complete 7,600 square feet of custom floor prep and tile work,” Fulton says. Along with adding large porcelain tiles wrapped over 30 columns throughout the building, BAC
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members installed two Myrtha pools — stainless steel wrapped in a PVC liner — and six hot/cold tubs. “We got to completely tile the very first one along with four hot/cold spa tubs,” Fulton says. “We used a new urethane type mortar made by Mapei, which gives the installation flexibility.” A project of this scope does not come without its share of challenges. For example, additional drains were added per the Illinois Department of Public Health. Fulton explained they were added to the scope after the concrete was poured and the contract was signed. “This was challenging in many ways, but from a labor standpoint, we had to float the areas where these new drains were added and the concrete was not recessed in these areas.” Fulton says the job called for innovative thinking on a whole new level. “We had to be very creative without compromising the functionality of the drains. This took many days of planning and strategizing because not only was this a tough job in itself, but everything else on the floor was based on our floor heights – toilets, vanities, doorways, etc.” Challenges aside, Fulton says the project is something that will leave a mark in the city’s skyline. “I am very proud of this project, and I hope this gives some insight into the hard work, dedication and commitment that our BAC brothers and sisters have for our craft day-in and day-out.” Nadine LaPointe, an Account Executive for D Installation, says that the detailed work in the One Chicago Square project is the kind that sets BAC apart. “It was one of the best projects I have ever worked on. The Power Construction and JDL teams were great to work with. They answered all of our questions and resolved any issues we had quickly. That makes a difference. You don’t get this teamwork on all projects.” //
State Street Revival BAC at center of Chicago’s newest luxury residential complex — 1200 N. State Street Apartments
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he game plan was simple. Chicago-based developer Newcastle Limited set out to deliver two mixed-use Gold Cost developments projects to replace a cluster of vacant commercial buildings in the city’s State Street area. Located in the Loop Retail Historic District—a shopping district within the Chicago Loop, the site had a combined 470 rental units, 193 parking spots, and more than 30,000 square feet of retail space. The tight city space led to some unique working conditions that BAC members were able to efficiently address safely. “Like a lot of downtown projects, 1200 N. State Street posed challenges in terms of site access, requiring significant coordination of material and equipment deliveries,” says Richard Lauber, President of J&E Duff, the BAC
From left, BAC Local 56 IL Journeyperson David Gantz, Local 21 apprentice Taylor Yates, Local 21 Journeyperson Victor Ramirez, and Local 74 Journeyperson Alston Stanley.
mason contractor for the project. “Our team had to work more than 100 feet off of the ground on Hydro Mobile scaffolding.” The first part of the project was at the northwest corner of State and Division streets. The plan called for an 11-story building with 102 rentals. Rising 11 floors into the sky, the 121-foot-tall luxury residential apartment complex
From left, BAC President Tim Driscoll, Executive Vice President Jeremiah Sullivan Jr., and a Local 21 IL member on the job.
also includes 12,000-plus square feet of ground-floor retail space, a car garage, and resident amenity spaces on the third floor and roof. Combining an attractive mix of glass, brick, metal and panels similar to porcelain tile, 1200 N. State Street is designed to represent, but not imitate, the eclectic architecture of the neighborhood. It also is the kind of project where
From left, BAC Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold, Executive Vice President Carlos Aquin, and Local 21 IL apprentice Taylor Yates. ISSUE 1, 2022 // 9
MEMBERS AT WORK BAC members, the best hands in the business, thrive. In his over 20 years of experience running work, Chris Cankar, Local 74 Illinois member and J&E Duff foreman, has faced many challenges and overcome them. This job still gave him some new experiences, due to the tight space in the city. “We put stone up on the building, up on scaffolding where we couldn’t gain access other than through the building. They are 600lb stones. We had to use chain falls that are hung over the side of the building to handle them and set them on the building,” he said. “That is something I have never done before… but we made it happen.” For the project, 27 BAC members worked the almost yearlong job, logging an estimated 10,200 hours. In total, they worked with 36,000 square feet (185,000 pieces) of Norman-sized and modular-size brick. In the parking garage, the BAC team worked with 21,000 square feet (23,625 pieces) and 2,000 cubic feet of cast stone veneer. The project provided BAC Apprentice Taylor Yates her first opportunity to work with Norman size brick in a third bond pattern. “I liked laying it, I had never done that before,” she said. “Where I am, at Duff, they are really good at letting us lay brick and block.” “I want apprentices to lay brick, I want them to learn,” explained Cankar. On this job apprentices
also experienced “laying overhand, off the side of a building where they are harnessed off.” “I try to give them the opportunity to learn when I get them on my job,” Cankar continued. “I was given that opportunity and I want them to have that… They are not making money if they do not know how to lay brick.” Today, 1200 N. Street Apartments seamlessly fits into what the downtown area has become–a place of Chicago pride. When BAC Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold,
a former Chicago resident, visited the jobsite, he was impressed with how his brothers and sisters continue to help transform the city’s landscape. “It is great to see BAC members bringing brick back to the Chicago landscape,” said Secretary-Treasurer Arnold. “I was very impressed by the organized tempo of the job considering the tight workspace in the downtown area. Thank you to Richard Lauber, for setting up and joining us on the tour of the jobsite.” //
From left, BAC ADC 1 of IL President Mike Volpentesta, Local 21 IL apprentice Taylor Yates, BAC President Tim Driscoll, and BAC Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold.
BAC Local 21 Journeyperson Victor Ramirez meeting with BAC Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold and President Tim Driscoll.
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BAC Local 74 IL Journeyperson Mark Lewis.
Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh with Kellogg strikers Photo Credit: Department of Labor
WORKERS WIN WITH SOLIDARITY
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he surge of workers organizing and demanding better pay, fair treatment, and a voice on the job has risen to levels not seen in decades. Across industries, hundreds of thousands of workers in North America organized for union representation, withheld their work skills when unfairly treated, and joined picket lines to demand better wages, retirement benefits, job safety, and working conditions. Workers “are the folks that really made the sacrifices [during the pandemic] and the whole time, they were told they were
essential,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Then they go to the bargaining table and they’re basically disposable.” “The companies continued to profit through the pandemic and then say, ‘Thanks, but we’re not going to compensate you, we’re not going to protect you, we’re not going to value and reward you for making those sacrifices,” Shuler continued. “[Workers] are absolutely fed up.” In 2021, strikes included construction workers demanding fair pay, nurses and hospital staff across
the country, telecommunication workers for Frontier Communications, warehouse workers at Hunts Point Produce in The Bronx, auto mechanics in Chicago, distillery workers in Kentucky, janitors at Denver airport, steelworkers at Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI), and school bus drivers in Annapolis. The threat of massive walkouts led to strong contracts for 60,000 International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) members and 32,000 Kaiser Permanente workers. “Last year was inspiring for the entire labor movement as we ISSUE 1, 2022 // 11
to sell people down the road like that,” said Josh Saunders, a John Deere Striker. “It’s about sticking together now and for the people who come after us.” Throughout the strike John Deere workers stood strong and rejected multiple offers until the company relented. A month into the strike the workers ratified an agreement that had 20 percent pay increase over the life of the six-year contract, cost of living adjustments, a signing bonus, no changes in healthcare and enhanced retirement options. “UAW John Deere members did not just unite themselves; they united the nation in a struggle for fairness in the workplace,” said UAW President Ray Curry.
UAW members striking against Deere & Co.
BAC Local 3 MA/ME/NH/RI Vice President Jim Pimental with other labor supporters at USW rally for ATI strikers in June 2021 Photo Credit: Anastasia E. Lennon
saw our union brothers and sisters come out and stand together for better workplace conditions, pay, and benefits,” said BAC International President Tim Driscoll. “Strikes are a last resort for union workers, but a powerful one when needed to remind businesses that workers are the engine that drives company profits.”
STANDING STRONG AGAINST CORPORATE GREED During the pandemic, many companies made record-breaking profits, but when it came time to negotiate new contracts, some employers were unwilling to share the prosperity or listen to their employees’ demands for better
working conditions. Some companies also tried to use the moment to limit retirement and health care benefits for newly hired employees, further expanding their “twotier” systems. In October, approximately 10,000 workers at 14 Deere and Co. locations, represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW), went on strike for the first time in 35 years. When negotiations started, the company proposed wage increases below inflation, and demanded deep pension cuts. This is all while Deere and Co. was enjoying massive profits. “The company wanted to eliminate pensions altogether for new people, and we refused
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‘WE STOOD UP FOR WHAT WE BELIEVED WAS RIGHT’ Another industry that made massive profits at the expense of their workers is American food UMWA members and Warrior Met Coal strikers with supporters at rally in New York City Photo Credit: UMWA
manufacturers. Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BGTCM) who work at Nabisco, Frito-Lay, and Kellogg all went on strike in 2021. The Kellogg strike captured the attention of the nation when President Biden stepped in and condemned the company for moving to hire replacement workers. A primary demand of the strikers was to have a guaranteed process for workers to advance from lower-paid “transitional” workers into traditional workers with higher pay and benefits. The company originally demanded a third, lower, status tier for new hires, who would never see the higher wages, benefits and middle-class lifestyle that had traditionally been the hallmark of BGTCM workers at Kellogg. The 1,400 workers at Kellogg plants in Omaha, Neb.; Lancaster, Pa; Battle Creek, Mich.;
and Memphis, Tenn. started their strike on October 5, 2021, and after 77 days on the picket line voted to ratify an agreement on December 20. The final agreement included a process for all transitional employees to “graduate” to the traditional tier and included a promise to not close a plant through October 2026. “From picket line to picket line, Kellogg’s union members stood strong and undeterred in this fight, and inspired workers across the globe,” said BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton. “The BCTGM is grateful, as well, for the outpouring of fraternal support we received from across the labor movement… Solidarity was critical to this great workers’ victory.”
THE TIDE IS TURNING Already in 2022, Starbucks workers are starting to organize, Amazon workers continue to come together — with another vote scheduled for a Staten Island
warehouse and a new vote scheduled in Bessemer, Ala. In Brookwood, Ala., 1,100 United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) members continue to stand strong against Warrior Met Coal, a company run by Wall Street private equity firms. These miners agreed to concessions in 2016 on the condition that they would receive better wages and benefits when the company returned to profitability — a promise that the company is now breaking. BAC has supported these strikers with financial assistance and boots on the ground. As this issue goes to press, the strike is entering its 11th month. “This is a pivotal time for labor” said President Driscoll. “Workers across all industries are coming to realize the essential role they occupy in our economy and the power that comes from banding together. Labor unions are how organized workers seek fair treatment and pay, and BAC is committed to being that voice for the unrepresented craftworkers in our trades.” //
ISSUE 1, 2022 // 13
NEWS IN BRIEF
BAC Convenes the Executive Council Meeting in Chicago
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hanks to vaccines and public health measures, the BAC Executive Council convened the first face-to-face meeting since the start of the Covid pandemic in Chicago on October 3–5, 2021. In his opening remarks, BAC President Tim Driscoll underlined the union’s role to “remain the preeminent source for skilled craftworkers, to inspire the unorganized, both workers and contractors to achieve a higher standard on the job, in their homes, and in their community, to engage
the public on the benefits of union labor and the costs that unbridled competition on the backs of worker represents, and to work actively with industry partners to advance the role of our trades in an evolving construction industry.” The Council welcomed a line of inspiring guest speakers, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D), U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL), President of Canadian Labour Congress Bea Bruske, and economist Stephanie Kelton. Members of the Council A panel of industry experts discussed economic and environmental impact of building design and materials. From left, Dr. Randolph Kirchain, Co-Director of MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub; Christine Subasic, Consulting Architectural Engineer and Owner of C. Callista Subasic; Roy Ingraffia, National Director of Industry Development at IMI; and Nick Lang, Vice President of Business Development at National Concrete Masonry Association.
BAC President Tim Driscoll addressed to the Executive Council in Chicago.
Governor J.B. Pritzker told the Council members that he was proud to join BAC in Chicago as we continue our steadfast commitment to lift up workers in Illinois and around the nation. “America’s unions don’t break, and they don’t run from a fight. When labor succeeds, America succeeds,” he said.
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also heard reports from BAC departments, organizing updates from Locals/ADCs, and industry development trends. In addition, a panel of industry experts addressed the economic and environmental impact of building design and material, challenges of meeting sustainability goals in construction, and how BAC trades can take up these challenges in future work opportunities. Speakers emphasized the importance of building partnerships between construction trades and material producers in influencing decision makers to present masonry as a complete solution from a sustainability perspective. It was suggested that engaging in community conversations and advocating for newer building codes on the local level would also help projects built better and provide job opportunities for BAC craftworkers. Recognizing the serious health threat that the COVID-19 virus poses, the BAC Executive Council unanimously passed a new resolution to endorse a series of safety and health measures for members and encourage all District Council and Local Unions to follow the IU’s example on how to best protect ourselves, our members, and our communities. //
BAC Locals Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week
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or decades, the BAC apprenticeship program has been playing an important role in providing quality training with opportunities to earn good incomes and benefits for workers looking to re-enter the workforce and young people seeking to enter the workforce. In celebrating the National Apprenticeship Week on November 14–20, 2021, BAC Locals made visits to schools, participated in job fairs, and held open houses for future apprentices. During the National Apprenticeship Week, representatives of Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware
BAC Local 1 PA/DE representatives visited students at the Williamson College of the Trades during the National Apprenticeship Week, 2021.
From left, BAC Local 1 PA/DE Field Representative Justin Scarinci, Williamson instructor and member Phil Bachetti, Field Representative Phil Manton, masonry program director and member Pete Zwolak, IUBAC Regional Representative Matt Stafford, and Local 1 PA/DE Field Representative Rich Newcomb.
BAC District Council of Wisconsin Field Representatives Bill Bonlender and Mike Hyatt along with Local 8 WI members Mark Titzkowski and AJ Gomez demonstrated hands-on skills to future apprentices at their training center during the National Apprenticeship Week, 2021.
visited the Williamson College of the Trades in Media, PA to have conversations with students about the apprenticeship program. Administrative District Council 1 of Illinois and District Council of Wisconsin opened their training
floors to those who are interested in pursuing a BAC career. Members of Local 1 MD/VA/DC joined in the East of the River “Jobs Not Guns” recruitment fair to support local communities and provide job opportunities for all. //
NEW UNION CARD FOR BAC MEMBERS BAC is sending new union cards with a QR code for members to easily access their membership information. After scanning the QR code (see sample on the left) with your smartphone, you will be able to see your membership information, including local name, status of membership, branch of trade, and certificates.
ISSUE 1, 2022 // 15
NEWS IN BRIEF
For Philadelphia Contractor, Signing with BAC Was the 'Best Choice' in Years
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ave Thompson, owner of Mid-Atlantic Restoration & Masonry LLC of Aston, PA, started out as a BAC contractor in 1989, but went non-union in 2006. After 15 years and a lot of hard work by BAC Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware organizers, he recently made the decision to re-sign with BAC. “Last year, we decided to go with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with [BAC] to open up that door, that avenue for more work,” Thompson said. “And today, things are working well.” A “driving force” to why he wanted to sign again with the union was “to get my guys a good benefit package.” He also wanted to get back to doing more restoration and prevailing wage work within the city limits of Philadelphia, and he knew that a
partnership with BAC would provide more opportunities. “Bringing Mid-Atlantic Restoration & Masonry back to the union is a direct product of BAC’s Market Recovery Program,” explained Local 1 PA/DE Field Representative Al Martino. “Building a relationship with Dave Thompson, with an open line of communication, was critical to our organizing.”
SKILLED WORKFORCE Mid-Atlantic immediately experienced the main benefit of working with the best hands in the business. “Every time I call, I get a good bricklayer,” said Dylan Thompson, Vice President for Operations and Dave’s son. “Everything has been great with the union guys… all the apprentices we see are doing good and know their stuff.”
“Everyone I have right now is excellent. I wouldn’t trade any one of these guys for anything.” said Dave Thompson. He confirmed that signing the CBA with BAC is the “best choice [he has] made in years.”
STICK WITH IT Martino advises other BAC organizers and principal officers working to organize non-union contractors to “stay on it.” “We know we provide the best skilled crafts people in our industry,” Martino said. “Joining the union is the best way for a contractor to provide benefits and get more prevailing wage work. We also have the certifications and training necessary for any contractor that wants to do more restoration work. It is just a matter of continuing to build that relationship.” //
From left, BAC Local 1 PA/DE members Wayne Swinehart, Shane Yarnall, and Nilson Curty, LIUNA member Jeff Wroten, BAC Local 1 PA/DE apprentice Dan Thompson, LIUNA member Carl Seiscio, BAC Local 1 PA/DE member Dylan Thompson, and owner of Mid-Atlantic Dave Thompson. 16 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Local 1 Oregon/Washington/Idaho/Montana Built Dugouts for Community
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lan and Kelly Corning built and donated a baseball field — the Wyatt’s Ballfield — to the town of Blanchard, ID in memory of their beloved son Wyatt who lost his life at a very young age. When they needed help to build dugouts for the field, Kuhn reached out to Dustin Bradford, Field Representative of Local 1 OR/ WA/ID/MT. They knew the local from their friend Del Kuhn, a retiree of the local. Bradford said, “I had no problem finding a few young eager volunteers who were excited and proud to be a part of this project.” BAC volunteers rolled up their sleeves and built two dugouts with 8-inch blocks. “By building the dugouts, we are also building memories for the family, as well as bringing residents of our community together,” Bradford said. //
Volunteers of BAC Local 1 OR/WA/ID at the Wyatt’s Ballfield. From left, Del Kuhn, Carson McCormick, Jerry Bradford, Dustin Bradford and Logan Dyson.
Local 1 New York Continues Supporting Muscular Dystrophy
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or almost 30 years, BAC Local 1 New York has been supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) to help uncover breakthroughs that accelerate treatments and cures for individuals and families facing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threating diseases. The Local first participated in the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon in 1996, an annual event that takes place on Labor Day, pledging and delivering checks on the air during the second day of the Telethon. After a few years of spot hosting the telethon, the Local decided in 2001 to host their first charity golf outing. The outing would
help raise money for MDA and in addition they created a scholarship program to offer scholarships to members' children and grandchildren. “Thanks to generous sponsors and Local’s efforts, a record high of $110,000 was raised last year,” Jack Argila, President of Local 1 NY, said. “Everyone affiliated with the golf outing, including contractors, sister locals and professional services have made this event a tremendous success. We can’t thank all participants enough.” The Local 1 charity golf committee members — President Jack Argila, Secretary-Treasurer Anthony LaCava Jr. and Training Director Jonathan Holsgrove ISSUE 1, 2022 // 17
COMMUNITY SERVICE — are committed to making this event more successful for many years to come. LaCava said, “In August, we celebrated our 20th golf outing at Glenn Oaks Club in Old Westbury, NY and raised a total of $40,000 for MDA. Throughout the years, we have donated over $1,000,000 to MDA and given out over $600,000 in scholarships to members’ children and grandchildren heading off to college. We look forward to the next event on August 8, 2022.” //
BAC Local 1 NY President Jack Argila, left, and Secretary-Treasurer Anthony LaCava Jr. presented Mr. and Mrs. Steubing, parents of two boys who lost their lives to MDA, with a special award honoring their commitment to fighting the disease.
Participants of the 2021 motorcycle relief ride.
BAC Members Ride to Raise Money For Union Disaster Relief Fund
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riven by a love of motorcycling and commitment to union service and solidarity, officers and members of several BAC Locals, including Local 1 New York, Local 2 New York/Vermont, Local 3 New York, and Local 7 New York/New Jersey, took 18 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
a ride in the Scenic Adirondack Region of New York State on August 20–21, 2021. The ride raised $16,700 for the BAC Disaster Relief Fund, a lifeline for members affected by natural and other disasters in the past years. The fund helps our brothers and sisters in need, and supports our communities in crisis. //
IMI & IMTEF
How IMI Works for You: 3 Current Initiatives Driving the Industry Forward
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he International Masonry Institute (IMI) empowers and inspires architects, engineers, and construction professionals to design and build with union masonry and tile, helping to create job opportunities for BAC signatory contractors and members. Here are 3 initiatives IMI is leading right now to safeguard BAC materials and workhours.
individual brick and CMU units to full wall assemblies, rainscreen systems, bonding patterns, bond beams, anchors, accessories, and more, there’s no limit to what masonry structures architects can design in the HIVE.
GETTING MASONRY INTO DESIGNS THROUGH CUTTINGEDGE SOFTWARE FOR AEC PROFESSIONALS
There are currently no standards in the U.S. defining what engineered stone is and how it should be installed. Thanks to IMI’s leadership, that’s about to change. That’s because IMI has been named the ANSI-accredited U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO’s) Technical Committee 328 on engineered stone. What that means is that IMI, together with ANSI, will lead the development of the first U.S. standards for engineered stone. As this material continues to gain in popularity for hospital, retail, and multi-residential projects, IMI’s involvement will be critical in securing engineered stone as a BAC-installed material.
Making masonry units and assemblies accessible in Building Information Modeling (BIM) software is key to getting BAC materials into projects during the design phase. For over a decade, IMI has helped lead the way with BIM tools for masonry. Now, IMI is excited to launch the first ever cloud-based masonry library in HIVE, the leading content management system for architecture, engineering, and construction professionals.
SECURING MARKET SHARE BY LEADING NEW CODES AND STANDARDS ON ENGINEERED STONE
PROMOTING YOUR SKILLS WITH QUALIFIED CONTRACTOR SPECIFICATION LANGUAGE
Hundreds of prominent architecture and engineering firms across the country are using HIVE to distribute consistent content for models created in REVIT and AutoCAD. With IMI’s new Masonry Content Pack, these firms can easily and efficiently place high-quality units into their models. From
Design professionals seeking qualified labor often include IMI’s sample language in their project specifications, giving BAC signatory contractors and members a competitive advantage in securing the work. IMI recently released new spec language that promotes the skill of apprentices and journeyworkers who have taken part in a registered apprenticeship program under the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). What this means is that design professionals invested in finding highly trained and qualified craftworkers can encourage the hiring of BAC contractors and members ISSUE 1, 2022 // 19
IMI & IMTEF on their projects by including the new language in their specifications. Other IMI upgrade, certificate, and certifications designers can write into their specs include: + Flashing + Grouting and Reinforcement + Historic Masonry Preservation Certificate + Advanced Certifications for Tile + Rainscreen Certificate + Adhered Veneer Certificate + Supervisor Certification Program
Pursuing these training programs now can help keep you in demand among employers when they appear as a labor qualification in specifications. If you’re interested in pursuing an IMI certificate, certification, or upgrade training, check out IMTEF’s current training calendar (imtef.org/calendar) or contact your training center to find out about local availability. IMI looks forward to advancing these 3 exciting initiatives to help grow union masonry and tile’s market share. Follow IMI on social media to discover more ways the organization is working for you. //
11 BAC Members Earn Instructor Certification, Strengthening the Union’s Training Programs
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he best hands in the business are shaped by the best instructors. In October, 11 BAC members solidified their commitment to training the best hands when they graduated IMI/ IMTEF’s Instructor Certificated Program (ICP). At the ICP graduation ceremony, BAC President Tim Driscoll congratulated the instructors on
representing “the best of BAC” and for carrying on the tradition of “crafts and training that have been essential to our union since its inception.” ICP gives BAC instructors the tools to teach the trowel trades to BAC apprentices and journeyworkers across the country. The 200-hour program is conducted over 5 years and covers important skills like
understanding adult learning styles, creating lesson plans, developing curriculum, and more. For this year’s graduating class, there’s no greater pride than passing along their trade to the next generation and shaping a highly skilled, safe, competitive, and productive workforce. Just ask Laurel Harris, BAC Local 3 California instructor. “As
ICP gives BAC instructors the tools to teach the trowel trades to BAC apprentices and journeyworkers across the country.” 20 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
2021 ICP graduates pictured with BAC President Timothy J. Driscoll, BAC Executive Vice President Carlos Aquin, BAC Executive Vice President Jeremiah Sullvan, Jr., and IMI/IMTEF President Caryn Halifax. Top row from left, Michael Flowers, Jansen Rudy, Michael Szelag, Phillip Lamb, and Dan Arthur. Middle row from left, Lorenzo Peralta, Pete Kohl, Laurel Harris, Anthony Joseph, Michael Hyatt, Michael Waltz, and BAC President Timothy J. Driscoll. Front row from left, IMI National Job Corps Director Jonas Elmore, IMTEF National Director of Apprenticeship and Training Anthony DiPerna, BAC Executive Vice President Jeremiah Sullvan, Jr., IMTEF Director of Education Operations Serenia Holland, BAC Executive Vice President Carlos Aquin, and IMI/IMTEF President Caryn Halifax.
an apprentice instructor, I love seeing my students succeeding and prospering in this field,” she says. “This is my new reward in my work. I used to stand back and admire projects I was a part of completing. Now, the development of competent and confident craftworkers is my measure of success.” Harris, the first woman to graduate ICP, says the program helped give her the confidence she needs to share her knowledge and experiences with others, both in and outside the classroom. Pete Kohl, IMTEF National Training Center Coordinator from BAC Local 5 PA, agrees with Harris’ sentiments. “Working
as an instructor gives you the opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life. There’s no prouder moment as an instructor than seeing your students go back to their locals, go to work, and enjoy their careers.” Phillip Lamb, BAC Local 18 Ohio-Kentucky ADC member and brick instructor at Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps Center, feels similarly. “Through the training I received in mentoring and coaching at ICP, I have been able to encourage and motivate my students to succeed. I get to see them develop self-confidence and take pride in their work. You can’t buy the personal satisfaction that
working with Job Corps students brings me.” Completing the rigorous ICP program is a joyous achievement for this year’s graduates. Anthony Joseph, BAC Local 9 Pennsylvania instructor says, “Graduating ICP is one of the greatest achievements of my life. Knowing that I possess the tools to be the best instructor I am capable of being, which gives my students the best chance to succeed, is most meaningful to me. No doubt the 2021 class of certified trowel trades instructors will change the lives of many students eager start and advance their careers with BAC. // ISSUE 1, 2022 // 21
SAFETY & HEALTH
Help Needed to Evaluate Trunk and Arm Support Exoskeletons in Construction
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esearchers from the University of California San Francisco, Berkeley and Virginia Tech are conducting research on occupational exoskeletons. Passive exoskeletons, requiring no actuators or power supply, are an innovative technology that may make construction work safer, easier, and more accessible for aging and diverse worker populations. The research teams are investigating how exoskeletons can be implemented safely and effectively in construction. Specifically, their research is designed to:
1. Understand the perspectives of a broad set of construction industry stakeholders. 2. Quantify the benefits and risks of exoskeleton use for specific construction tasks, including masonry. 3. Facilitate effective user adoption. 4. Prevent unintended consequences from safety hazards and usability issues.
Researchers are looking for active members, contractors, or other industry stakeholders
Every Step Matters: National Ladder Safety Month
(e.g., managers, owners, union representatives, and health and safety officers) who have used exoskeletons. If interested, please email aanu@vt.edu and include in your email, your job title and your experience using an exoskeleton. Those completing the interviews will receive a $30 gift card. There are also opportunities to participate in laboratory-based studies, for both arm and back supports. If interested in participating, you can email ucergonomics@gmail.com (arm) of aanu@vt.edu (back). //
laddersafetymonth.com
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ach year in the US, more than 500,000 people are treated and about 300 people die from ladderrelated injuries. This March, BAC is joining the American Ladder Institute and many other organizations in support of the National Ladder Safety Month to raise awareness of ladder safety and to decrease the number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities. Visit laddersafetymonth.com to learn more. In addition,
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the ALI offers a free ladder safety training tool online at laddersafetytraining.org. Remember, every step matters. From step stools to extension ladders, make sure you’re putting the right foot forward. //
Message from the IU Health & Safety Manager Liliana Calderon
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n my 14 years as bricklayer, member of Local 21 Chicago, I have learned the hard way that it does not take days or years for an accident to occur, it happens in a blink of an eye. Like many, safety was not the first thing on my mind while I completed my apprenticeship. I learned after I was faced with multiple accidents, injuries, and fatality near-misses, by the men and women I worked with how important working safe is. When I was green in the industry, like most, I was blinded by naiveite and youth. I look back now and cringe at how lucky I was. From cutting material with a table saw, to climbing a ladder onto a scaffold, to neglecting “simple” things like a hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and dust masks. Apprentices can easily be overwhelmed — I know I was — with tons of new information coming from all directions. When it comes time to learn about OSHA and workplace safety standards, it is easy to tune out a bit during that instruction. Those lessons though become very relevant to the day-today activities on various job sites. Safety should be everyone’s first priority, not just the responsibility of one or two people at the jobsite.
We do not build projects by ourselves. We should all collectively ensure the job site is safe for every person on it. Last month the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published the top 10 violations of 2021. Fall protection was the number one, for the 11th year in a row. Not only are our fellow union brothers and sisters exposed to this grave hazard, but too many have had fatal accidents because of it. One case is that of Brother Brian Cotter, 47, from Oaklawn, IL. Brother Cotter was working on tuckpointing repairs at a school when he fell down the chimney shaft. Most of us have seen close calls. My experience out in the field as an apprentice and then as a forewoman gives me great perspective. To make sure I never saw a member hurt on my crew, I would insist proper PPE was used and to do regular inspections. When I saw something unsafe, it was crucial that I not reprimand the crew member but explain to them why it was dangerous and how to do it safely. This approach resonated better. No one likes getting yelled at. It is very important for us to make Health and Safety part of our
regular routine. Training should not be a one-and-done. We need to be on the lookout for hazards on the job. Refresher courses are a great way to remind yourself of what to look out for. It is easy to find a refresher could by going to imtef. org/safety-health. There are many resources out there from OSHA to CPWR (Center for Construction Research and Training) that we can utilize. If you ever have a question about Health and Safety, please reach out to me directly at lcalderon @bacweb.org. // ISSUE 1, 2022 // 23
LEGISLATIVE & POLITICAL
President Biden Mandates Project Labor Agreements on Large Federal Projects
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n February 4, President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order that requires the use of project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction projects valued above $35 million. The Order will help improve timeliness, lower costs, and increase quality in federal construction projects. For generations, PLAs, or as they are sometimes referred to, Community Workforce Agreements (CWAs), have been a powerful tool in ensuring that both
large public and private projects are completed on schedule and within budget. Good jobs are created for skilled building trades workers, including BAC members. PLAs benefit local communities, due to the requirement to meet local hiring goals. They also create valuable career paths for women, people of color, veterans, and other underrepresented communities. “President Biden’s leadership on this issue signals to our industry and the nation that the path
to developing a productive and sustainable workforce lies in the equitable treatment of workers across our country,” said President Driscoll in a statement when the executive order was signed. “PLAs are a proven means to develop and promote careers for the next generation of construction workers.” The Executive Order on Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects can be found here: https://bit.ly/3LlwdO4 //
BAC Applauds American Rescue Plan’s Pension Assistance for Bricklayers Local 5 Plan
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hanks to the Special Financial Assistance (SFA) program under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, participants of BAC Local 5 New York Retirement Fund Pension Plan will be able to receive approximately $61.8 million to save their pension plan. The plan, which covers 821 participants, was projected to run out of funds this year. Without sufficient funds, the plan would have been required to reduce participants’ benefits to roughly 20% below the planned benefits. On January 18, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) approved the application for emergency pension fund, enabling the plan to
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continue to pay retirees’ benefits without reduction for many years into the future. "We applaud our Congressional members who voted for and passed the American Rescue Plan, which included emergency funding for insolvent pension plans," said Jeremiah Sullivan Jr., BAC Executive Vice President. "This funding will protect the pension benefits for so many members who put in a lifetime of hard work and will ensure they are able to retire with financial security and dignity." “The American Rescue Plan continues to deliver for our economy and workers,” said US Representative Patrick Maloney (D-NY). “The hardworking men and
women of Local 5 deserve the pension benefits that they have earned from a lifetime of work and I am so happy to see that the Rescue Plan is fulfilling the promise of a secure retirement for American workers.” “These 821 bricklayers went to work with the promise of a pension when they retired. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration has fulfilled that promise,” said US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, chair of the PBGC Board of Directors.
“Our union fought hard to make sure our pension was whole, and this decision to fund our members gives security and support to our members who have spent their lives giving themselves to their trade,” Union Trustee of Bricklayers Local 5 Plan Mike Clifford said. “Thank you to Congressman Maloney for making this happen through the American Rescue Plan, and for always sticking up for the men and women of labor.” //
Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment Passes The $1 trillion investment includes funding for many core infrastructure priorities including: + Roads and bridges + Passenger and freight rail + Public transit + Broadband + Ports and waterways + Airports + Water infrastructure + Power grid and resiliency Members of BAC Local 1 MD/VA/DC, including Eric Woodlon, Yaneth Flores, and Aaron Kakol, attended the signing ceremony at the White House on November 15, 2021.
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he Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) was signed into law on November 15. IIJA passed with bipartisan support and represents the largest investment in our nation’s infrastructure in history.
+ Clean school buses and ferries + Electric vehicle charging + Broadband At the signing ceremony, President Biden emphasized that the IIJA will create good-paying job opportunities for Americans by focusing on prevailing wages and the free and fair chance to join a union.
BAC appreciates President Biden’s leadership, along with the bipartisan coalition that negotiated the framework for the bill, to pass this long overdue investment to our nation’s infrastructure. The IIJA provides an investment of $1.2 trillion, including $550 billion in new spending over five years. “BAC has long supported comprehensive investment in our nation’s infrastructure, broadly defined. While IIJA represents a good start, we must continue to work to make sure that other vital infrastructure needs are not neglected,” said President Driscoll when the bill was signed. “Investment in our infrastructure including schools, housing, hospitals, public safety and other government buildings is critically important. We must do everything we can to make sure that these priorities are addressed.” // ISSUE 1, 2022 // 25
MAP
If you or someone in your family needs help with PTSD, call the BAC Member Assistance Program (MAP) toll-free at 1-833-MAP-TALK (1-833-627-8255) to speak to a licensed mental health professional free of charge. All calls are strictly confidential. MAP is generally open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday.
Professional Counseling Helps Heal and Prevent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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ost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that arises when someone is exposed to severe trauma. It was first coined as “shell shock,” to describe a myriad of severe psychological symptoms in soldiers exposed to the horrors of World War I. In recent years, while PTSD continues to be common among veterans, the condition is also seen in survivors of physical and sexual assault, accidents, child abuse, terrorism and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental Health (NIMH) categorizes a host of common PTSD symptoms. Arousal and reactivity symptoms: + Being easily startled + Feeling tense or “on edge” + Having difficulty sleeping + Having angry outbursts Cognition and mood symptoms: + Trouble remembering key features of the traumatic event
+ Negative thoughts about oneself or the world
+ Distorted feelings like guilt
THE SYMPTOMS OF PTSD Hallmark symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, terrifying thoughts and “flashbacks,” when the person mentally relives a traumatic event repeatedly. Flashbacks are often accompanied by intense physical symptoms, such as racing heartbeat, rapid breathing and sweating. Reactions to PTSD are not the same. For instance, young children under age six often display unique symptoms of PTSD, including bedwetting, being clingy with adults, “acting out” the trauma during playtime or emotionally shutting down to the extent that they struggle to formulate words or are unable to talk. Among older children, teens and adults, the National Institute of
or blame
+ Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
Experts recognize that when exposed to trauma, more than eight percent of people will develop full blown PTSD. The reasons why some people develop PTSD while others do not, are not yet fully understood.
PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT IS ESSENTIAL Perhaps one of the greatest myths about PTSD is the idea that not talking about trauma helps the person to forget and heal. In fact, PTSD survivors need to talk through the psychological trauma with a mental health professional. While the healing process takes
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time and it may feel uncomfortable at first, in the long run, talking through PTSD with a therapist helps to reduce symptoms and prevent chronic PTSD from taking hold of one’s life. In addition to professional “talk therapy,” some PTSD survivors are prescribed antidepressant medications to assist in reducing anxiety and depression. While medication therapies are not for everyone, research shows that when combined with mental health counseling, PTSD survivors heal faster and retain therapeutic benefits longer. While in treatment, NIMH suggests incorporating the following coping strategies: + Talk with your doctor about treatment options.
+ Engage in mild physical activity or exercise to help reduce stress.
+ Set realistic goals for yourself. + Break up large tasks into small ones, set some priorities and do what you can as you can.
+ Try to spend time with other people; confide in a trusted friend or relative. Tell others about things that may trigger symptoms.
+ Expect your symptoms to improve gradually, not immediately.
+ Identify and seek out comforting situations, places and people. //
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS INTERNATIONAL HEALTH FUND (IHF)
Policy Updates for 2022 — No Surprises Act
A
t the end of 2020, the No Surprises Act was passed into law as part of the Continuing Appropriations Act (CAA) and went into effect for plan or policy years beginning on or after January 1, 2022. This important legislation establishes federal standards that will help to protect BAC members from balance billing for certain services, such as emergency care or treatment by out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. When you see a doctor or other health care provider that is in the plan’s network you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copay, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or need to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that is not in the plan’s network, otherwise referred to as an “out-ofnetwork provider.” Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what the plan agreed to pay, and the full amount charged for a service. This is called balance billing. This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service. “Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This happens when you cannot control who is involved in your care, such as when you have an emergency or when you
schedule a visit at an in-network facility, but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider. The No Surprise Act applies to individual, small group, and large group fully insured markets and self-insured group plans, such as the BAC International Health Fund (IHF). For the IHF, member cost-sharing for these specified outof-network items and services will be capped at in-network levels and will require providers to work with the IHF’s insurers, United Healthcare and Geisinger, to negotiate remaining bills. If they are unable to reach agreement, an Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process, or arbitration, will occur to determine the reimbursement amount. IHF participants that believe they have been incorrectly balance billed should contact the IHF Fund Office at 1-888-880-8222.
NEW RALLY® REWARDS FOR 2022 The IHF is excited for the third year of the United Healthcare Rally® Rewards program. Rally is an app that can help you make simple changes to your daily routine, set health goals, and help you to stay on target to meet those goals. Members that participate receive rewards for taking healthy actions. The first of those actions is
completing a quick Health Survey. Rally® will then make personalized recommendations just for you. You will be able to sync your tracking device, join a challenge, and all while earning virtual coins that can be exchanged for rewards. Other health actions that earn you coins include completing an annual physical, completing a preventive screening, enrolling in the SavRx mail-order service, visiting the BAC Cares on-site clinics in Indiana or Missouri, completing a virtual visit, or participating in the Real Appeal program. Once members have earned enough coins, they can be exchanged for prizes including a BAC jacket, Bose Soundlink Bluetooth speaker, or can be donated towards a donation to the BAC Disaster Relief Fund. This program is exclusively for members of IHF participating locals. Members can enroll online at www.myuhc.com or by downloading the “Rally by Rally Health” App and entering code BAC123. If you have any questions about the BAC Cares Rally® Rewards program, contact the IHF Fund Office at 1-888-880-8222. // ISSUE 1, 2022 // 27
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS INTERNATIONAL PENSION FUND (IPF)
Putting BAC Retirement Investments to Work
T
he top priority of BAC pension fund trustees is safeguarding your retirement. While doing that, many BAC funds have discovered investments that provide solid returns for our pensions while also creating jobs and work hours for our active members. Pension trusts are increasingly considering ways to have a multipart investment approach, and that has led to interest in Economically Targeted Investments (ETIs). ETIs are investments that generate an
additional benefit to a standard investment return. These benefits include the creation of thousands of union jobs associated with new construction, rehabilitation of invested properties, and the added return of new contributions into pension plan assets for working union members. The most successful ETIs in terms of producing work for BAC members are the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT), the AFL-CIO Building Investment
28 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
Trust (BIT), ULLICO’s J For Jobs Fund, and the Multi-Employer Property Trust (MEPT). All the construction projects completed by these groups are done with 100 percent union labor. HIT, BIT, J for Jobs, and MEPT are four great options for pension fund trustees looking to put BAC member pension contributions to work for our members and prove that our pension funds can do more for us than provide a secure retirement. //
ELECTRONIC DISCLOSURE INFORMATION AND CONSENT The Bricklayers and Trowel Trades International Pension Fund is required by the IRS / Canada Revenue Agency to annually furnish all Participants with a 1099-R / T4-A related to their retirement benefits. Participants may choose to receive these forms electronically in lieu of the paper version.
If you wish to receive 2022 your tax forms in electronic format, you can elect to do so in one of two ways: 1. Sign this form and return it by email to Pension Payroll@ipfweb.org or by fax to (202)347-7339 or by mail to IPF Pension Payroll, 620 F Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004
or
2. Email PensionPayroll@ipfweb.org and state your name and “I consent to receive Form 1099-R / T4-A in electronic format in lieu of receiving a paper copy.”
Your consent is subject to the following. Please read all of the following Disclosure information. • IRS regulations require that Participants must affirmatively consent to receiving their Form 1099-R electronically. • A Participant who consents to receiving his/her Form 1099-R / T4-A online will not receive a paper copy. If a Participant does not consent to electronic delivery, he/she will continue to receive a paper copy of Form 1099-R / T4-A. • A Participant who elects to receive his/her Form 1099-R / T4-A online can also receive a paper copy by contacting the Pension Payroll Department at the Fund Office at (888) 880-8222 or PensionPayroll@ipfweb.org. Request for a paper copy does not withdraw the Participant’s consent for electronic delivery of future Form 1099-Rs / T4-As. • A Participant’s consent to receive Form 1099-R / T4-A by electronic format will remain in effect unless a written withdrawal is received. A Participant can withdraw his/ her consent and request a paper statement at any time. An Participant can withdraw his/her consent to online delivery either by emailing PensionPayroll@ipfweb.org or by mailing a letter to the Pension Payroll Department at the
Fund office at 620 F Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004. If consent is withdrawn, it will be effective only for those Form 1099-Rs / T4-As not yet issued. • All Participants should be aware that the Form 1099-R / T4-A, even when provided electronically, may need to be attached to their annual tax returns, including federal, state and local tax returns. Participants may print as many copies as needed. • The hardware and software requirements needed to access the 1099-R / T4-A statement electronically include an internet connection, web browser, and Adobe Acrobat reader or similar PDF reader software. • It is the Participant’s responsibility to notify the Fund Office of any changes to their personal information, including their email address, by emailing PensionPayroll@ipfweb.org or by calling the Fund Office at (888) 880-8222. • I hereby permit the IPF to enroll me in the BAC Member Portal which is also a benefit of my union membership.
Please sign and return to have your tax forms emailed to you at the following email: Email
Name
IU #
Signature
Date
CANADA
Bea Bruske, President of Canadian Labour Congress, Speaks at BAC Executive Council Meeting
B
ea Bruske, President of Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), addressed BAC Executive Council members in Chicago on October 3, 2021. In her remarks, President Bruske discussed her vision for the CLC and the impact of the pandemic on Canadian unions. Bruske said that the best way to move on and regroup from COVID-19 is by letting workers join unions. “We are still dealing the unprecedented pandemic time and the worst economy. But working people have stepped up to keep our communities going,” Bruske said. “We must engage members by reminding workers that together we have a tremendous power.” Bruske was elected President of the Canadian Labour Congress at the 29th Constitutional Convention in June 2021. She is only the second woman to hold the position, an organization representing more than three million workers affiliated with a variety of unions and labour councils. Before her election as President, Bea served as Vice-President of the UFCW Canada National Council, which sets the strategic direction for the national union and its more than 250,000 members across the country. // The Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske addressed BAC Executive Council members in Chicago on October 3, 2021. // La présidente du Conseil canadien du travail, Mme Bea Bruske, s’est adressée aux membres du Conseil exécutif du BAC à Chicago le 3 octobre 2021. 30 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
Bea Bruske, présidente du Congrès du travail du Canada, s’exprime à une séance du Conseil exécutif du BAC
B
ea Bruske, présidente du Congrès du travail du Canada (CTC), s’est adressée aux membres du Conseil exécutif du BAC à Chicago le 3 octobre 2021. Dans ses remarques, présidente Bruske a partagé sa vision pour le CTC et l’impact de la pandémie sur les syndicats canadiens. Mme Brusque a dit que la meilleure façon d’avancer et de récupérer de la COVID-19 est en laissant les travailleurs joindre les syndicats. « Nous sommes toujours aux prises avec un temps de pandémie sans précédent et de la pire situation économique mais les travailleurs se sont tenus debout pour garder nos communautés en fonctionnement, » a déclaré Mme Bruske. « Nous devons promouvoir l’affiliation en rappelant aux travailleurs qu’ensemble nous nous avons une force incroyable. » Mme Bruske a été élue présidente du Congrès du travail du Canada lors de la 29e convention constitutionnelle en juin 2021. Elle est seulement la deuxième femme à ce poste d’une organisation représentant plus de trois millions de travailleurs affiliés dans une variété de syndicats et de conseils du travail. Avant d’être élue comme présidente, Bea a servi comme vice-présidente du Conseil national canadien de l’Union internationale des travailleurs et travailleuses unis de l’alimentation et du commerce (TUAC), qui établit la direction stratégique de l’union nationale qui comprend plus de 250 000 membres à travers le pays. //
SPORTING LIFE
Local 9 Pennsylvania
A
lphonse Terry, retired member of BAC Local 9 Pennsylvania, was inducted into the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on October 30, 2021. A bricklayer by trade, Brother Terry joined BAC in 1977 and oversaw masonry projects in many states as a superintendent. Brother Terry has always loved football, so when he learned that anyone can take a class to become a football official, he went to pursue it and started officiating Midget Football and Catholic School football Leagues in the Pittsburgh area in 1976. Over the years, he officiated high school games, Division 2 and 3 colleges in the state’s PSAC, ECAC, and PAC conferences, Divisions 1AA and 1 for the Ivy League games, Atlantic 10 and the prestigious Big 10 conference. “My officiating assignments took me to all 4 corners of the country. Some of the venues included Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, University of Michigan (the Big House), Ohio State University (the Shoe), and Notre Dame,” Brother Terry says. “After 41 years of weekends, some weekdays, Championship games for the PIAA, Division 2 College Championships, the Big Ten Championship game in 2014, and numerous Bowl Games, I retired from my second avocation.” The 2021 Western Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame inductees’ information can be found at http://westernpasportshof.org/inductees-for-2021/ //
MOUNTAIN WEST ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT COUNCIL BAC Local 7 Colorado/Wyoming member Drew Anderson fished big at various lakes in Colorado.
LOCAL 1 PENNSYLVANIA/ DELAWARE Robert Hamilton, a third-generation bricklayer and member of BAC Local 1 PA/DE, with his prize buck.
LOCAL 3 CALIFORNIA BAC 70-year member Frank Bachofer of Local 3 California caught this sturgeon on the Snake River in Washington.
LOCAL 8 NEW BRUNSWICK/ PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Fred Richard caught this 41-inch striped bass on the Kennebecasis River in southern New Brunswick, Canada.
ISSUE 1, 2022 // 31
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LOCAL
LOCAL 8 SOUTHEAST
Compass
LOCAL 3 IOWA
Fifty-year member Michael Crowley of BAC Local 8 Southeast proudly displays his Gold Card.
BAC Local 8 Southeast 25-year member Jeff Thompkins, left, receives his service award from Field Representative Jack Vaughn.
Local 3 IA member Ryan Morris, right, receives his 25-year service award from Field Representative Greg Brookhart.
Local 3 IA Field Representative Jeff “Sammy” Hoeger, presents service award to 25-year member Daniel Burrack, right.
Local 3 IA 40-year member Jeff Olson, left, receives his service award from Field Representative Greg Brookhart.
Local 3 IA 25-year member James Seth Wright, right, receives his service award from Local 3 IA President Ray Lemke.
LOCAL 5 NEW JERSEY
Gold Card member David Price receives his service award from Director of NJADC John Capo, left, and Local 5 NJ President Leon Jones Jr. ISSUE 1, 2022 // 33
ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT COUNCIL 1 OF ILLINOIS
Quentin Foley, 75-year member of ADC 1 of IL, receives his service award from IU President Tim Driscoll, left, and IU Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold.
Sitting from left, IU President Tim Driscoll, 75-year member Quentin Foley, IU Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold; standing from left, Local 21 IL President Michael Erdenberger and ADC 1 of IL President Michael Volpentesta. Seated from left, 50-year members Richard Rassmussen Jr., Robert Owen Jr, Anton Glavac Jr., Michael Goergen, Richard Tatar, Steve Szabo, and Alfred Calderon; standing from left, Local 74 IL President Dan Kuczkowski, Local 21 President Michael Erdenberger, IU Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold, IU President Tim Driscoll, ADC 1 of Illinois President Michael Volpentesta, ADC 1 of Illinois former Executive Vice President & 40 year member William Breheny, and ADC 1 of Illinois Executive Vice President Hector Arellano.
Seated from left, Robert Corazza, Joseph Majerus, Daniel Mincey, Carlos White, Jr., John Palermo, John A. Premak, Thomas Grankowski, Jeffrey A. Walsh, Neil K. Lothson, Michael Molloy. Standing from left, Michael Erdenberger, Local 21 IL President; Hector Arellano, ADC 1 of Illinois Executive Vice President; Robert Arnold, IU Secretary-Treasurer; Timothy Driscoll, IU President; Michael Volpentesta, ADC 1 of Illinois President; William Breheny, ADC 1 of Illinois Past Executive Vice President & 40 year member, and Local 74 IL President Dan Kuczkowski.
LOCAL 13 NEVADA BAC Local 13 Nevada 40-year member Juan Aquin and his son, 25year member and IU Vice President Carlos Aquin, receive their service awards from Local 13 NV President Rich Crawford. 34 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
LOCAL 2 NEW YORK/VERMONT BAC Local 2 NY/VT presents a plaque to 75-year member Richard Depaula, recognizing his lifetime dedication to the Union. From left, BAC Local 2 NY/VT President Pat Tirino, 75-year member Richard Depaula and SecretaryTreasurer Kevin Potter.
IN MEMORIAM — JULY
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
Death Benefit Claims for July 2021 Total Amount Paid
$166,000.00
Total Union Labor Life Claims
$1,000.00
Total Death Benefits
$165,000.00
Total Number of Claims
88
Average Age
69.95
Average Years of Membership
56.81
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
Accardi, Samuel R. - 01, PA/DE Alessandro, Anthony J. - 09, PA Andrews, Jerry L. 04, IN/KY
TL B B, M
33 99 86
5 64 55
Becann, Carl - 01, NY Bell, Alto W. - 08, SE Belvedere, Francesco G. - 02, MI Betke, Charles - 02, MI Bilodeau, Maurice G. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Binstock, Clarence L. - 04, WI Boersema, Bernard - 21, IL Bokarae, Jr., Salvator S. - 15, MO/KS/NE Bosa, Joseph J. - 03, NY Boucher, Lester O. - 03, IA Burger, Bruce D. - 05, PA
B B B B B, CM, P B B B TL, B B B
85 97 66 92 82 86 87 77 93 92 86
47 69 36 75 59 55 65 37 58 71 59
Camarena, Antonio M. - 04, CA Carfora, Vincent - 01, NY Cessna, Donald G. - 3, OH Collins, Sr., Gene W. - 05, OH Czech, Richard L. - 03, AZ/NM Czerwiec, Robert - 02, MI
TL B B B B B
89 88 85 85 87 76
46 71 64 65 69 51
DiFrancesca, Ernest - 03, NY Dunne, Gerald R. - 06, IL
B, CM, P B
95 85
60 64
Elden, Henry J. - 02, MI Evans, John S. - 74, IL
B B
90 75
66 53
Faherty, Patrick M. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Farson, William E. - 09, OH Fassi, Carl J. - 01, MO Fickle, Robert G. - 09, PA Finegan, John F. - 01, PA/DE Floyd, Donald - 07, CN
CM, PC, CH B B TL PC, CM B
79 87 84 94 77 87
50 67 65 61 36 70
Gentile, Wayne J. - 02, NY/VT Gentry, Thurman A. - 01, MO Georgiades, George - 01, NY Graham, Charles W. - 04, IN/KY Gross, Culver L. - 04, IN/KY
B, CM, M, P B B B B
67 90 97 74 83
48 72 64 50 67
Harris, Donald - 01, MO Hewes, Frederick A. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI
B B, M, MM
66 86
37 65
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
Hoon, Richard L. - 04, IN/KY Horn, James E. - 08, SE Hughes, Jr., William T. - 13, WI
B B, CM TL
82 76 75
41 53 34
Jacques, Norman J. - 02, MI
B
83
66
Kilbane, Robert A. - 05, OH
B
93
74
Lafaille, Raymond A. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Lanser, Dennis G. - 08, WI Loy, Charles J. - 04, CA Lundgren, Gary R. - 21, IL Lyninger, William F. - 04, IN/KY
P B B PC, CM B
77 82 90 72 77
51 48 72 46 56
Martin, David A. - 01, OR/WA/ID/MT Martina, Carlo - 02, MI Matthew, Sr., James B. - 05, OK/AR/TX McCormack, Frederick D. - 01, MO McGowan, John T. - 21, IL McGraw, Jr., Forest G. - 08, IL Melini, Sr., George P. - 05, NJ/DE/PA Miranda, Sr., William J. - 04, CA Moody, David O. - 01, OR/WA/ID/MT Mueller, Joachim W. - 03, CA Mueller, Klaus E. - 01, PA/DE
B B, CM B, M B B B B, CM, P B, M B B B
37 103 90 72 90 77 78 84 73 86 82
5 72 74 55 62 51 45 63 51 59 60
Olszewski, Chester T. - 02, MI
B, W
89
66
Pilato, Cosimo - 05, PA Prior, James T. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Prunier, Norman G. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI
B, CM, M B, M P, PC, B, CM
95 80 84
62 61 67
Rasera, Arrigo - 02, BC Recktenwald, Joseph - 07, OH Rijo, Manuel R. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Rinaldi, Michael P. - 05, PA Ryan, Robert F. - 21, IL
TW B CM, P B, CM, M B
92 88 91 89 87
64 70 65 58 68
Serfass, Dale F. - 05, PA Sloan, Robert J. - 02, MI Smith, Paul J. - 08, IL Somerville, Philip J. - 05, OH Stemen, Raymond C. - 04, CA Sulski, Conrad J. - 21, IL Susberry, Sr., Lenard L. - 21, IL
B CB, CM, B B, M, TL, W B B, M, RE B B
93 88 76 95 61 92 94
55 54 47 74 39 59 72
Taffetani, Louis - 01, MD/VA/DC Thibodeau, Vernon J. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Thiesen, Norman A. - 02, BC Tuminelli, Cataldo E. - 05, PA Tyson, Robert E. - 01, PA/DE
B B B B, CM, IN, M, PC, W B
80 78 92 93 85
56 55 67 69 55
Vairo, Sr., Kenneth W. - 01, NY Vella, Antonio - 04, NJ
M B
81 62
60 26
Walsh, Thomas W. - 21, IL Wheeler, Lewis W. - 03, NY Williams, Louis - 04, NJ Winnert, Norman S. - 04, CA Winters, Morris D. - 05, OK/AR/TX Work, Richard H. - 06, IL
TL B B, CM FN B B
91 94 72 95 95 87
36 66 48 30 73 68
Zemaitis, Sr., William - 04, IN/KY
B
86
55
ARTICLE XIX OF THE IU CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THAT DEATH BENEFIT CLAIMS MUST BE FILED WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF A MEMBER'S DEATH. MEMBERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THEY SHOULD UPDATE THEIR BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FOLLOWING ANY MAJOR LIFE CHANGES (MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, DEATH OF A SPOUSE, ETC..)
ISSUE 1, 2022 // 35
IN MEMORIAM — AUGUST
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
Death Benefit Claims for August 2021 Total Amount Paid
$93,000.00
Total Union Labor Life Claims
$0.00
Total Death Benefits
$93,000.00
Total Number of Claims
50
Average Age
84.14
Average Years of Membership
58.66
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
Ashley, Professor L. - 5, OH Barfield, Jr., Charles H. - 08, IL Bisceglia, Maurice G. - 04, CA Brown, Ardith C. - 04, CA Carnaroli, Enzo G. - 01, PA/DE Chewning, Woodrow W. - 05, NJ/DE/PA Costanzo, Nicholas J. - 04, CA Craig, Dwyane - 5, OK/AR/TX Dalton, Jr., Robert L. - 06, OH Davidson, Angus L. - 01, NS DelliPizzi, Nicola - 01, NY Dougherty, Peter - 04, NJ Filburn, Ronald E. - 09, PA Frazier, Carl E. - 08, IL Ganz, Angelo V. - 09, PA Giammarco, Antonio - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
B B B B, M TL CM TL B B B B B, CM, M, P B TL B B, CM
84 86 90 95 91 96 92 99 78 84 87 76 79 99 87 90
64 72 64 70 54 69 70 72 51 53 49 59 57 71 68 63
IN MEMORIAM — SEPTEMBER Death Benefit Claims for September 2021 Total Amount Paid
$121,000.00
Total Union Labor Life Claims
$2,000.00
Total Death Benefits
$119,000.00
Total Number of Claims
69
Average Age
83.51
Average Years of Membership
55.84
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
Ali, Dominic N. - 02, NY/VT Alonzo, Sr., Joseph C. - 01, MO Aslayson, Paul L. - 01, MN/ND/SD Baker, James H. - 03, AZ/NM Blessing, Harold W. - 03, IA Broberg, Merle E. - 21, IL Bruno, Luigi - 01, NY Busa, Michael R. - 21, IL Cafici, Sam - 07, NY/NJ Carter, Charles M. - 04, NJ Catalano, Franco - 01, NY Ciampi, Jr., Alexander R. - 01, NY
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
B, M, P M B B B, M TL B B, M FN B, CM, P, W CM, M, B B
89 89 76 91 66 91 79 69 98 83 83 84
69 64 54 72 44 55 50 48 33 56 35 67
36 // BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS
Gillespie, Donald H. - 02, NY/VT Hale, Jack B. 40, OH Hepkema, Steve - 56, IL Herman, Edwin M. - 04, IN/KY Hess, Robert J. - 05, OH Holiday, Jr., Roy C. - 09, PA Holtz, John H. - 05, NJ/DE/PA Johnson, Robert D. - 01, MN/ND/SD Laabs, David H. - 01, MN/ND/SD Leck, Edmund - 02, BC Leonardis, Gino M. - 09, PA Manke, Marvin A. - 01, MN/ND/SD Matysek, Theodore S. - 04, NJ Miller, Robert E. - 08, IL Monaco, Giovanni - 02, MI Neal, Harlan R. - 01, OR/WA/ID/MT O’Connor, Christopher D. - 04, IN/KY Ohta, Lawrence S. - 01, HI Omelio, Sr., Michael P. - 04, NJ Prataviera, Giovanni - 2, ON Reed, Fred E. - 01, OR/WA/ID/MT Rund, John E. - 01, MN/ND/SD Runge, Vernon H. - 01, MN/ND/SD Russell, George L. - 18, OH/KY Ryan, Jr., Louis J. - 02, NY/VT Schmidt, John - 05, OH Schmieder, Herbert R. - 03, NY Seibert, Gene T. - 07, OH Singleton, Eric T. - 04, IN/KY Statler, Gene D. - 03, CA Strakowski, Phillip D. - 04, IN/KY Tauchman, Ivo - 01, MN/ND/SD Tolan, Jr., George W. - 4, IN/KY White, Billy G. - 15, MO/KS/NE
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION Cleveland, Everett G. - 2, MI D’Acunto, Sr., Antonio - 01, CT Demicco, Vito W. - 04, NJ DiMario, Pio - 06, ON Eads, Robert C. - 09, WV Elmore, Julius W. - 05, OK/AR/TX Essaf, Sr., George J. - 01, PA/DE Esteves, Roberto - 13, NV Everson, William T. - 01, WA/AK Fasano, Nick D. - 08, OH Feager, Richard G. - 01, MO Finley, Stephen D. - 04, IN/KY Fletcher, Robert J. - 01, MO Frantz, Roderick L. - 02, MI Fyffe, Charles B. - 22, OH Gallo, Sr., Joseph C. - 05, NJ/DE/PA Gardner, Roger J. - 07, OH Gaudio, Peter - 02, NY/VT Gloy, Robert A. - 07, CO/WY Hollister, Wayne O. - 15, MO/KS/NE Irving, Raymond - 02, BC Ivy, Kenneth E. - 04, IN/KY Kasper, Henry - 05, NJ/DE/PA Kirschner, III, Francis J. - 01, PA/DE Kleiber, Martin - 01, MO Kniola, Paul - 04, IN/KY Krol, Chester F. - 21, IL Leone, Eli - 05, PA Leslie, Alexander - 21, IL Lindsey, Robert J. - 05, WI
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
B, CM B, CM, M, P B B B PC, CM B, CM, P B, M B, M B B, M, W B CM B, PC B B CM, PC, CH M B, CM, M, P B B, M B CB B B, M B B, P B B B, M B B, MM B B
83 84 82 79 91 90 83 85 86 94 82 96 91 84 74 84 41 85 99 88 90 70 97 77 88 95 92 83 57 91 38 69 76 90
56 66 57 59 67 55 61 69 52 70 60 69 67 56 54 66 18 57 69 65 68 47 70 42 72 58 69 54 28 52 19 46 47 62
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
B M B, P B B, M B B FN B B B B B B, CM, M B, M, W TL B B, M, P B B B, M MM, TL, M B B, W B B B B, M B TL
86 93 99 84 93 96 73 47 84 91 83 52 88 87 86 90 88 80 85 88 80 90 95 74 96 79 99 89 84 66
33 66 70 55 71 72 55 1 52 70 66 3 55 65 56 55 69 57 61 67 51 61 71 52 67 44 66 59 68 37
ARTICLE XIX OF THE IU CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THAT DEATH BENEFIT CLAIMS MUST BE FILED WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF A MEMBER'S DEATH. MEMBERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THEY SHOULD UPDATE THEIR BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FOLLOWING ANY MAJOR LIFE CHANGES (MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, DEATH OF A SPOUSE, ETC..)
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION Mapp, Rowland R. - 01, CT Martini, Gino J. - 06, IL McKee, John N. - 08, WI Meldrum, Vincent A. - 2, MI Monaco, Giuseppe - 6, ON Moore, Jr., Robert - 05, OH Nagel, Max - 05, WI Nuckols, George H. - 04, IN/KY Ostlie, Wynn R. - 01, MN/ND/SD Panucci, Giusepe A. - 04, ON Parrotta, Saverio - 04, NJ Perrelli, Frank - 21, IL Polchert, John S. - 08, WI Porten, David A. - 03, NY
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
CM B TW B B B TL B, M B, M B B B, M B B, CM, M, P
98 92 89 94 76 76 85 88 76 87 85 82 93 94
60 57 63 73 53 54 55 69 53 64 59 51 71 72
Price, Claude - 02, MI Regan, Lawrence J. - 02, NY/VT Remele, Daniel T. - 09, PA Rolin, John L. - 15, MO/KS/NE Schenn, Daniel C. - 04, IN/KY Simonutti, Renzo L. - 04, NJ Sonderup, Walter D. - 01, MN/ND/SD Tabellion, Charles J. - 06, OH Toborkey, Thomas K. - 09, PA Totten, Jr., John W. - 01, NY Vincent, Albert A. - 08, NB Visentin, Angelo - 02, BC Whisler, Aaron E. - 04, IN/KY
IN MEMORIAM — OCTOBER
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
Death Benefit Claims for October 2021 Total Amount Paid
$137,775.00
Total Union Labor Life Claims
$2,000.00
Total Death Benefits
$135,775.00
Total Number of Claims
83
Average Age
81.23
Average Years of Membership
54.60
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
MEMBER - LOCAL UNION
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
Kelemanik, John - 05, PA Lax, Jay L. - 04, IN/KY Leonberger, Thomas D. - 08, IL Louis, Leonard - 01, NY Macaluso, Gerard D. - 08, SE Maizlik, Ronald R. - 09, OH Mancuso, John R. - 15, MO/KS/NE Maskell, Robert E. - 04, IN/KY Matye, Lonnie D. - 01, MN/ND/SD Moritz, Oswald - 08, WI Nicolaio, Alfonso J. - 03, NY Onasch, Jr., Arthur W. - 01, MN/ND/SD Orrill, Sr., Richard C. - 05, OH Palic, Osman - 02, NY/VT Patania, Joseph A. - 03, CA Patrignani, Arnold W. - 08, SE Paul, Alfred M. - 04, CA Paules, George M. - 08, SE Petersen, Robert W. - 01, NY Poirier, Richard J. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Pontuti, William J. - 08, OH Premo, Arthur C. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI Pugsley, Walter C. - 04, NJ Rippener, Werner J. - 21, IL Robbins, Jr., Charles W. - 05, OK/AR/TX Rossi, Pasquale - 05, OH Royce, David C. - 01, MN/ND/SD Scabilloni, Kelly A. - 09, PA Schaefer, Richard J. - 01, NY Scott, Sr., Phillip - 05, OH Shropshire, Milton C. - 04, IN/KY Shulte, Frank H. - 18, OH/KY Stem, Gale W. - 07, OH Stoneman, Keith D. - 06, OH Stubbs, Edward D. - 18, OH/KY Supple, John P. - 21, IL Szpynda, Eugeniusz - 05, PA Tintinger, Wesley J. - 01, OR/WA/ID/MT Traenkle, Charles E. - 08, SE Vagas, Theodore J. - 08, OH Vander Vliet, Thomas A. - 04, NJ Villeda-Turcios, Heldder - 13, NV Wax, Donald E. - 03, CA Williams, Augustus J. - 01, NY Wilson, Cody L. - 05, PA Winter, Ronald D. - 01, MN/ND/SD Wurnitsch, Michael - 03, CA Yannotta, Robert P. - 05, NJ/DE/PA Young, Robert F. - 01, MN/ND/SD Zupo, Giuseppe - 07, NY/NJ
Bartsch, Reinhard R. - 01, MB B 88 57 Beckett, Johnny D. - 05, OK/AR/TX B 79 58 Belfatto, Salvatore J. - 01, NY B 81 62 Blackman, Livingstone - 01, NY B 66 19 Borsari, Vittorino - 01, NY B 94 64 Bozzelli, Filippo - 01, ON B, M 76 52 Bridgewater, William S. - 21, IL P, B, CM, M 95 71 Broberg, Robert - 21, IL TL 88 55 Brophy, Michael W. - 01, ON B 83 66 Burkhart, Robert D. - 04, IN/KY TL 87 65 Caldwell, John A. - 06, IL B, M, MM 85 62 Card, Roy A. - 03, NY B, CM, P 61 34 Carlson, Dale W. - 01, MN/ND/SD B 81 62 Carr, Eddie - 04, IN/KY B, CB, M 79 36 Conroy, Charles L. - 04, CA B 91 72 Corr, Kenneth W. - 02, MI B, M 89 71 Delaney, Robert I. - 03, NY B, M 90 67 Demeo, Antonio - 01, NY B 84 59 Eilken, Leroy A. - 21, IL B 91 71 Elis, Robert E. - 03, NY B, M 82 58 Everton, Ronald S. - 03, MA/ME/NH/RI B, CM 85 61 Farley, Michael G. - 02, NY/VT PC, B, CM, M 58 34 Feldker, Joseph A. - 08, IL B 81 64 Filkorn, Emil - 03, NY TL 93 60 Giaramita, Leonard J. - 15, MO/KS/NE B 79 61 Gilles, Donald F. - 21, IL B 91 70 Grasso, Frederick A. - 01, MD/VA/DC B 90 74 Hostetler, Robert N. - 04, IN/KY B, M 85 60 Huffman, Kenneth E. - 01, WA/AK B 82 65 Hurst, William T. - 01, MD/VA/DC B, CM, P 70 23 Jacobs, Edward B. - 08, IL B 74 56 Jessup, Charles E. - 09, PA B, CM 81 52 Kapper, Donald R. - 08, IL B 81 57 ARTICLE XIX OF THE IU CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THAT DEATH BENEFIT CLAIMS MUST BE FILED WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF A MEMBER'S DEATH. MEMBERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THEY SHOULD UPDATE THEIR BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FOLLOWING ANY MAJOR LIFE CHANGES (MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, DEATH OF A SPOUSE, ETC..)
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
FN B, CM, M, P PC, W, CM B B, W B, CM, P B B B B, P B, M, P TW B, M, MM
93 79 60 79 63 82 87 84 69 62 94 91 81
33 54 40 58 31 64 69 61 45 33 75 55 59
BRANCH of TRADE
AGE
YEARS of MEMBERSHIP
B, CM,M, MM, TL B B B B, M B B B PC B B, CM, M B B P FN P B P B B, CM B B B, CM, M, P B B B B, M B M B, M B B B B TL, TW, M, MM B PC, B, CM, M B, TL P B B, CM, PC TL B B B TW B B, CM, P B FN
93 90 63 90 60 71 78 81 68 97 82 86 92 54 86 85 91 86 92 92 83 91 97 92 86 89 73 59 50 75 95 91 86 74 83 91 59 84 84 83 74 63 91 66 34 84 94 81 84 89
69 70 47 48 36 43 60 62 45 66 64 42 66 12 31 55 64 68 71 72 65 68 75 66 56 66 53 14 5 52 72 59 61 54 62 62 34 63 47 65 56 40 50 22 16 22 65 57 62 54
ISSUE 1, 2022 // 37
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