6 minute read
News in Brief
Thanks 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.
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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 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. //
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.
BAC Locals Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week
For 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 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. 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.
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.
For Philadelphia Contractor, Signing with BAC Was the 'Best Choice' in Years
Dave 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.
