2023/Issue 2

BAC EXECUTIVE BOARD ENDORSES PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR SECOND TERM

In June, the BAC Executive Board endorsed Joseph R. Biden for his second term as President of the United States.

“Union workers across the United States have a clear advocate in the White House with Joe Biden,” said BAC President Tim Driscoll. “He not only regularly meets with unions on a variety of issues, but actively supports and promotes worker organizing to strengthen the middle-class. In all his legislative efforts involving construction, he ensures workers will receive fair wages and benefits, with safe working conditions.”

“President Biden has kept all his 2020 campaign promises and then some, making him the most pro-labor President of our lifetimes,” President Driscoll continued. “It is because of his proven track record as a friend of BAC members, and all working families, that we heartily endorse the Biden-Harris team for four more years.”

Read more on page 15.

The Official Journal of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers

(ISSN 0362-3696) | ISSUE 2 | 2023

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Timothy Driscoll President

Jeremiah Sullivan, Jr. Secretary-Treasurer

Keith Hocevar Executive Vice President

REGIONAL DIRECTORS

NORTHEAST

Al Catalano

IU Northeast Regional Director, Albany, NY

Email: acatalano@bacweb.org

Office: 518-439-6080

SOUTH

Ed Navarro

IU South Regional Director, Lawton, OK

Email: enavarro@bacweb.org

Office: 580-357-3048

NORTH CENTRAL

Jeremy Rivas

IU North Central Regional Director, Portage, IN

Email: jrivas@bacweb.org

Office: 219-248-5017

WEST

Darin Compton

IU West Regional Director, San Leandro, CA

Email: dcompton@bacweb.org

Office: 202-304-8582

CANADA

Craig Strudwick

IU Canada Regional Director, Ottawa, ON

Email: cstrudwick@bacweb.org

Office: 613-830-0333

Editorial Staff: Emily Smith, Kim Ward

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

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The Union Difference

BAC members know that when we come together as a union to bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions we are a stronger force for good in our industry and our communities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, on average, workers across all industries who are members of a labor union make 18% more than their non-union counterparts, and in construction that difference is often larger. BAC provides each member an opportunity to advance their skills, their career, and live their best life. That is the “Union Difference.” What makes this ‘union difference’ possible?

The three essential activities that enable unions to deliver the services that members expect and deserve are organizing, collective bargaining, and enforcement/ representation. After workers organize, they bargain collectively with their employers and sign contracts. Members then work under their contracts, making sure they are enforced with union representatives. Success requires that unions continually and actively carry out these three functions in unison.

The core of any union begins with organizing. Our ability to negotiate with an employer or an association is dependent on our ability to provide, or when needed

withhold, skilled labor to achieve a just contract that meets the needs of the workers that BAC represents. News in Brief (pages 11–13) features two of the recent organizing campaigns that BAC local unions have been involved in. While each campaign progressed in unique ways, the common thread amongst both was the willingness of workers to assert their right to join a union to exercise their collective voice on the job.

Jobsite safety has been a focus for BAC as long as our union has been in existence, and it is often one of the primary concerns raised by those workers employed by the non-union contractors that BAC seeks to organize. There are many aspects to safety on the job, but the rise of heat-related illnesses these past several years has been pronounced, particularly with many areas of the US and Canada experiencing extreme temperatures this summer. BAC will remain engaged on this and all other safety-related issues to improve conditions on jobsites across our industry (page 18).

BAC prides itself on our members’ skills and the resources we dedicate to ensuring that the next generation of craftworkers is ready to meet our industry’s needs. Our training programs, and just as importantly BAC craftworkers on

the job, are essential to mentoring that next generation, many who come to our union from less conventional pathways (page 14). Of course, our signatory contractors are vital partners in building that next generation of skilled craftworkers, and we place great value on those long-standing partnerships (pages 3–9).

We also value those elected public leaders who stand with BAC. That is why in June the BAC Executive Board joined the AFL-CIO and other labor unions in endorsing the re-election of President Biden (page 15). He actively promotes and supports: union organizing, registered apprenticeship, fair wages and benefits for construction work, safe working conditions on the job, and the security and dignity of a defined retirement benefit plan. His proven track record in backing BAC members, and all working families, has earned our support.

Brothers and Sisters: Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay cool!

MENSAJE DEL PRESIDENTE

La diferencia sindical

Los miembros del Sindicato Internacional de Albañiles y Artesanos Aliados (International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, BAC) saben que, cuando nos unimos como sindicato para negociar salarios más altos, mejores beneficios y condiciones de trabajo más seguras, somos una fuerza más fuerte para el bien en nuestra industria y nuestras comunidades. La Oficina de Estadísticas Laborales informa que, en promedio, los trabajadores de todas las industrias que son miembros de un sindicato ganan un 18 % más que sus contrapartes no sindicalizadas, y en la construcción esa diferencia suele ser mayor. El BAC brinda a cada miembro la oportunidad de mejorar sus habilidades, su carrera y vivir su mejor vida. Esa es la “diferencia sindical”. ¿Qué hace posible esta “diferencia sindical”?

Las tres actividades esenciales que permiten a los sindicatos brindar los servicios que los miembros esperan y merecen son la organización, la negociación colectiva y el cumplimiento/representación. Una vez que los trabajadores se organizan, negocian colectivamente con sus empleadores y firman contratos. Los miembros luego trabajan bajo sus contratos y se aseguran de que se cumplan junto a los representantes sindicales. El éxito requiere que los sindicatos lleven a cabo continua y activamente estas tres funciones al unísono.

El núcleo de cualquier sindicato comienza con la organización. Nuestra capacidad para negociar con un empleador o una asociación depende de nuestra capacidad para proporcionar, o retener, cuando sea necesario, mano de obra calificada para lograr un contrato justo que satisfaga las necesidades de los trabajadores que representa el BAC. “En pocas palabras” (páginas 11 a 13) presenta dos de las campañas de organización recientes en las que los sindicatos locales del BAC han estado involucrados. Si bien cada campaña progresó de manera única, el hilo común entre ambas fue la voluntad de los trabajadores de hacer valer su derecho a unirse a un sindicato para ejercer su voz colectiva en el trabajo.

La seguridad en el lugar de trabajo ha sido un enfoque para el BAC desde que existe nuestro sindicato y, a

menudo, es una de las principales preocupaciones planteadas por los trabajadores empleados por los contratistas no sindicalizados que el BAC busca organizar. Hay muchos aspectos relacionados con la seguridad en el trabajo, pero el aumento de enfermedades relacionadas con el calor en los últimos años ha sido pronunciado, particularmente en muchas áreas de los EE. UU. y Canadá que experimentaron temperaturas extremas este verano. El BAC seguirá comprometido con este y todos los demás temas relacionados con la seguridad para mejorar las condiciones en los lugares de trabajo de nuestra industria (página 18).

El BAC se enorgullece de las habilidades de nuestros miembros y los recursos que dedicamos para garantizar que la próxima generación de artesanos esté lista para satisfacer las necesidades de nuestra industria. Los programas de capacitación del BAC y, lo que es igualmente importante, los trabajadores artesanales del BAC en el trabajo son esenciales para asesorar a la próxima generación, muchos de los cuales llegan a nuestro sindicato desde caminos menos convencionales (página 14). Por supuesto, nuestros contratistas signatarios son socios vitales en la construcción de la próxima generación de artesanos calificados, y le damos un gran valor a esas asociaciones de larga data (páginas 3-9).

También valoramos a los líderes públicos electos que apoyan el BAC. Por este motivo en junio la Junta Ejecutiva del BAC se unió a la Federación Estadounidense del Trabajo y Congreso de Organizaciones Industriales (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, AFL-CIO) y a otros sindicatos para respaldar la reelección del presidente Biden (página 15). Este promueve y apoya activamente: la organización sindical; el aprendizaje registrado; los salarios y beneficios justos para el trabajo de construcción; las condiciones de trabajo seguras en el trabajo; y la seguridad y dignidad de un plan de beneficios de jubilación definido. Su historial comprobado de respaldo a los miembros del BAC y a todas las familias trabajadoras le ha valido nuestro apoyo.

Hermanos y hermanas: ¡manténganse saludables, seguros y en calma!

AT WORK

Culture. Hard work. Fairness.

The alliance between D.M. Sabia & Company and BAC continues to run deep

BAC’s partnerships with signatory contractors are essential to our mission to build North America and prosper together. One of our union’s longest partnerships, with Philadelphia’s D.M. Sabia & Company, is a prime example of how a signatory contractor and the union can work together to bid and build beautiful structures that last the test of time.

“D.M. Sabia is an exemplary employer and partner,” said Local

1 Pennsylvania/Delaware President Dennis Pagliotti. “They have a high standard of excellence and know the best way to achieve that is by employing the best hands in the business.”

“It’s all about the people and always has been,” says Nick Sabia, who today serves as President of D.M. Sabia. “We have the pleasure of working with people who care about the trade, the job, the company and themselves. It’s a mutual

respect that has been built in what is a rugged trade. They come to work every day in the heat, the cold, the wind. The people are as tough as the conditions and work they have to face day in and day out.”

One of the recent projects D.M. Sabia worked on — a project that hits at the core of what it means to build partnerships with organizations that share the same vision and goals — is the newly-renovated 5th Street/Independence Hall

D.M. Sabia workers renovating the 5th Street/ Independence Hall Station, including, from left to right, Local 1 PA/DE members Marty Schlosman, Jim Filon, and Mitch Ward.

MEMBERS AT WORK

Station project in Philadelphia. It was a $20 million improvement that included everything from new glass headhouses on the station’s entrances, to LED lighting, a ventilation system that helps refresh the station’s air every two to three minutes — and, of course, installation and restoration of substantial amounts of tile and masonry. In

addition, the station’s low ceiling was removed to provide more headroom, while specially-designed panels help reflect natural light into the underground cavern.

Built in 1908, the station provides access to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center and other historical sites. Designed as a “showpiece” for

the transit system, the last upgrade before the recent work was done in 1976 to coincide with the country’s bicentennial celebration.

BAC Local 1 PA/DE members employed by D.M. Sabia were a key component in implementing the architectural design, as well as improving the station’s structural, mechanical and electrical systems.

Local 1 PA/DE member Pat Devitt

Local 1 PA/DE members Scott Jackson (right) with Juston Buskirk (left)

BAC craftworkers’ expertise was critical in navigating the myriad of challenges to installing the complex brick and stone systems.

One major challenge of the project was that the transit system was not shut down while work was ongoing, so trains passed through the station at full speed without stopping. The workers weren’t concerned, though, because they knew their union and their company had their backs. “Sabia is a great company to work for, and they always put safety first,” explained Brian Gibbons, a 16-year Local 1 PA/DE member and assistant foreman on the project. “A spotter was placed with a horn to blow when a train was coming,

and the workers on the edge of the platform would stop and get out of the way. We had regular toolbox talks, and everyone always knew what they were doing.”

Part of the work included refurbishing stairs that open onto the well-lit, spacious platform decorated with enhanced circulation kiosks in white and red herringbone tile. In addition, the original arches in the vaulted ceiling were exposed and made watertight. Red brick was installed above the thin herringbone pattern that was painted in many places with murals depicting historical figures and moments.

“BAC’s work on the project, including working on an active

Local 1 PA/DE members left to right Juston Buskirk, Scott Jackson, and Scott Lang.

MEMBERS AT WORK

HITTING THE CENTURY MARK

This year, D.M. Sabia celebrates 100 years of operation—a milestone that is epic in any industry. Current president Nick Sabia and his team are proud of the company’s humble beginnings. In his teens, Domenic Michael Sabia moved from New York to Philadelphia. In 1917, he took a job as a masonry apprentice. By 1923, he founded D.M. Sabia & Company Inc., with he and his wife, Elizabeth, and five children living atop his basement office.

A BAC signatory contractor from the beginning, over the last century, the D.M. Sabia team has worked on some of the most high-profile projects in the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey areas.

subway platform, was just tremendous,” Sabia said. “Thin tile, and thin and full body brick… inscribed lettering, granite, blue stone… Their expertise and craftsmanship can be seen in everything.”

“There were a lot of BAC members working there at some point in the project, including bricklayers, stone masons, and caulkers,” said Gibbons. “Local 1 has the best hands in the business in Philadelphia, and it was the experience and know-how that got this complex and involved job done.”

And all this work was done during the throes of COVID-19, where the logistics and compliance issues were, as Sabia expressed, tricky. “Pictures really only tell so much of the story when you see the final product. We had our share of hiccups, hassles and hurdles, but we got it done together.”

“The Independence Hall subway job is just one out of hundreds in this area showcasing what happens when the best hands in the business partner up with one of the best contractors,” said Pagliotti. //

“For us, it has always been about working with the best people,” said Nick Sabia. “It means a lot to our company that over the years every job has included masons who are dedicated to doing what they do best. There is comfort, like my father before me and his before him, to know that somewhere a mason is driving with his family and can say, ‘See that, I worked on that job.’ We have had generations of people sharing that story.”

“We have built a relationship with BAC over time that just keeps getting stronger,” Sabia continued. “Every job we have had masonry on in the Philadelphia and New Jersey areas have had BAC members on the wall… It is a group that is as progressive in their thinking as it is tough. They have been very proactive in keeping us involved in training and education, first aid and CPR, scaffolding training, the latest OSHA regulations, and much more. The collaboration is evident in every step we take together.”

“The success of D.M. Sabia shows what a partnership with the BAC brings: a trained and dedicated workforce who know how to work efficiently and safely. This ensures projects are done on time and on budget,” said BAC President Tim Driscoll. “We all here at BAC congratulate Nick and the rest of the Sabia team and family for this significant milestone, and look forward to continuing to work together for another 100 years.”

D.M. Sabia was a smaller local company until World War II, when the federal government contracted to them to build aircraft hangers at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia.

John Sabia, Sr. was the second President of D.M. Sabia. He expanded the company, taking on larger commercial and industrial projects.

New School, New Design, Still Built by the Best

BAC Members Continue to Construct America’s Centers for Learning

Although school designs have shifted away from traditional square red brick structures to new contemporary designs, they continue to utilize BAC materials and generate significant work hours. BAC members continue to build the

structures for 21st century learning — where digital and AI technologies rule the roost, and the new facilities are much more “modern.”

The new T.M. Peirce Elementary School, a K-6 campus in North Philadelphia, is no exception.

When completed this fall, the 77,000 square-foot building will feature three stories and a classroom wing.

The state-of-the-art campus will replace the former elementary school building, which was boarded

From background to foreground: Local 1 PA/DE Field Representative Steve Mokychic and members Brendan Ferry, Terry Clyde, Mark Weldon, and Scott Bender

Local 1 PA/DE member Scott Bender

Local 1 PA/DE member Terry Clyde

MEMBERS AT WORK

up in 2019 because of asbestos and flaking lead paint. T.M. Peirce teachers spoke out originally about exposed asbestos in the gymnasium. Parents were not notified until later in the year. Shortly after, the students were relocated. Fortunately, the school was set to be demolished and rebuilt before the asbestos was discovered.

Located in the inner city, the jobsite was not typical. The expansive job was confined to a ‘pretty tight’ space, which did not allow much room to maneuver. “Not only did the job not offer much room to work, but it was filled with a lot of other trades all working on top of one another to get what they needed to get done,” explained Butch Pacifico, Journeyworker Bricklayer, from Local 1 PA/DE.

If that wasn’t challenging enough, the 26-year BAC member says the aggressive construction schedule, compounded with a deadline in the sweltering summer heat, made things even trickier. “Working in the heat of summer can be dangerous, but being in the union, we are always told to take breaks and stay hydrated,” Pacifico said. “Everyone is told the signs of heat stress.” (See page 20 for steps to avoid heat-related illnesses.)

Al Vecchione, the Brick Foreman for Dooley & Kretschman, said that working to keep everything in check on what turned out to be a chaotic-at-times jobsite, is all

part of the job — that the union workers more than held their own in the pace to keep the project on schedule.

To make the construction even more challenging, there also was only one delivery spot on the site. “There were times that we had to

wait around for the trucks to give us what we needed,” Vecchione explained. “And then, when we did get what we needed, we had our bricklayers working in tight, cramped spaces, sometimes on high scaffolds. They would have to do one section at a time, and

Local 1 PA/DE member and project foreman Al Vecchione

then move everything over to the next section.

Without a doubt, it was one of the tightest, most demanding jobs Vecchione has ever worked on. “This does not happen often, so it was a testament to the BAC crew, which never complained about anything. They just did what needed to be done.”

Terry Clyde, bricklayer with Local 1 PA/DE, credits the teamwork and supervision provided by the Dooley & Kretschman team. “What really makes this project special or different from any job that I worked on was the foreman (Vecchione). He was not only very helpful in instructing us, but also keeping us informed on any changes — and there were plenty,” Clyde explained.

In total, BAC members worked with 66,000 utility bricks in four different colors, 41,000 CMU blocks and 220 yards of grout. Along with work on the exterior of the building, at least 8–12 BAC members at any given time worked on the stairwells, bathrooms and elevator shafts. Overall, BAC had 5,100 work hours on the job.

Joe Dooley, President of Dooley & Kretschman, said that the fact the job is even on course can be credited to the work of the BAC team. The Cinnaminson, New Jersey contractor has been a BAC signatory for the past 40-plus years.

“With jobs like this, you have to do a lot of different dances with different people,” Dooley said. “But the BAC members know how to do this. While we mostly brought on more experienced bricklayers to help out, we were able to give four to five apprentice bricklayers an opportunity to get their feet wet. It is reassuring knowing that the BAC is there when we need them.”

When Pacifico reflects on jobs like this, he knows he is working on something that will help future generations. “I’m proud to work on schools like this, being able to receive union pay and benefits, and, more importantly, helping build a new school that will help better the community.” //

Local 1 PA/DE member Bob Carango

Local 1 NL Members Test Equipment and Materials for West White Rose Project

the CGS will support a topside module to enable drilling and oil extraction 350km away from the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador in the Atlantic Ocean.

Members of BAC Local 1

Newfoundland and Labrador have been hard at work testing materials for the West White Rose Project (WWRP). The WWRP is an offshore oil field under development in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin, located 350 km east of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, in approximately 120 meters of water. Cenovus Energy, along with partners Suncor Energy Inc., and Nalcor Energy — Oil and Gas Inc., are leading the development of the project, which was suspended for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was about 65% completed when it was restarted in May 2022.

The WWRP will be developed through a fixed drilling platform consisting of a concrete gravity structure (CGS), built by the SNC-Lavalin-Dragados-Pennecon General Partnership (SDP), and an integrated topsides facility. SDP is constructing the CGS in the Argentia Graving Dock, located on the Argentia Peninsula, approximately 130 km from St. John’s, NL. The CSG, with an overall height of 145m and base diameter of 122m, will require 76,0003 of concrete in its construction, which will take place in a purpose-built dry dock. The CGS will weigh 210,000 tonnes. Once completed and installed in the White Rose Field,

Local 1 NL members are operating the Reed Shotcrete Concrete pump, using it to spray test panels in hopes of using this method to complete repairs to the CGS. “Local 1 members are productively using BAC equipment and materials to test their effectiveness to repair the CGS and ensure the West White Rose Project can be repaired and the investment can payoff for many years,” said BAC Local 1 NL Business Manager/Financial Secretary John Leonard. //

Local 1 NL members Kerry Reid and Craig Hayter spraying test panels at the West White Rose Project in Argentia, NL.

Local 1 NL members working at the West White Rose Project in Argentia, NL, with the Concrete Gravity Structure visible in the background. From left to right: Matthew Palmer, Jamie Slade, Corey Whalen, Kerry Reid, Craig Hayter, and Fred Tucker.

Local 2 British Columbia Welcomes Scorpio Masonry

Thanks to the dedicated organizing efforts of BAC Local 2 British Columbia & Yukon Territory members and union leadership, Scorpio Masonry, a large masonry contractor in western Canada, is a new BAC contractor.

The organizing “drive” was unique, in that it was a couple BAC members working at Scorpio who kept talking about how the contractor should be union, and all the benefits the other workers would receive, including increased safety and higher wages. These members, Roberto Buttazzoni and Ryan Gillespie, began talking about the benefits and opportunities that come with union membership. Buttazzoni especially was passionate about sharing the benefits of joining BAC as his father was a former business manager in Ontario.

Local leadership also focused on the top-down approach, conducting phone meetings with the

contractor and giving tours of the training facilities.

After generating a wave of interest in the union, the members began gathering signatures on union certification cards. Unfortunately, the “volunteer” organizers were wrongfully dismissed before the process could be completed. However, as a result of these members’ steadfast work, Scorpio Masonry was compelled to recognize the value of a partnership with BAC and signed a voluntary recognition agreement. Buttazzoni and Gillespie were also reinstated.

“This was a great example of how every member can be an organizer if they go work non-union for a time, for whatever reason,” said Local 2 British Columbia and Yukon Territory President Geoff Higginson.

INCLUSIVE CONTRACT

The new Local 2 British Columbia and Yukon Territory members

at Scorpio Masonry ratified their first collective bargaining agreement in April. The two-year agreement included an immediate 10 percent increase in wages retroactive to January 1, 2023 (with a $1 increase on the hourly wage next year), seniority clauses, and one hour of travel time to areas of Vancouver more difficult to access.

Local 2 gained 38 new members as a result of this organizing victory, and the agreement brings in temporary foreign workers acting as masonry support workers. “What we’ve done is integrated and unified the workplace in British Columbia. This is an all-employee agreement,” explained Higginson. “We’ve been able to integrate the employment classifications, the apprentices with the masonry support workers.

“Masonry support workers do everything — the material handling, forklifts, the set-up and

“This was a great example of how every member can be an organizer if they go work non-union for a time.”

— Local 2 British Columbia and Yukon Territory President Geoff Higginson.

scaffolding.” Higginson continued. Welcoming Scorpio Masonry as a union contractor also establishes a foothold into organizing other commercial, institutional contractors in British Columbia.

The partnership with BAC also includes a construction industry rehabilitation plan and provides

Scorpio with a specific training plan, as well as access to more training resources. Resources include Local 2’s training center and Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) In The Trades apprenticeship program, which provides union contractors financial support to hire and retain first-year apprentices.

“These nearly 40 new members are really going to help support our Local,” said Higginson. “This organizing victory shows the impact that engaging and educating local members on organizing has on a campaign. We wouldn’t have achieved this win without the help of our members.” //

The Right of Bricklayers in California to Organize is Upheld

On March 29, a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

judge ruled that J. Ginger Masonry, one of the larger masonry contractors in the Western United States, illegally fired workers because they wanted to organize with the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC). Five bricklayers were fired in November 2021 for meeting with representatives of BAC Local 4 and arranging another meeting where eleven more workers signed union authorization cards.

During the hearing, the company tried to argue that the reason the workers were fired was because of a violent altercation with a supervisor. However, an office employee’s video showed that it was the supervisor who initiated physical contact with one of the fired workers. NLRB Administrative Law Judge Gerald

Etchingham ruled that the workers be reinstated immediately and compensated for any lost pay or damages because of the unlawful firing.

“Justice prevailed in this case,” said BAC President Tim Driscoll. “Workers have the right to meet with and join a labor union. This ruling sent a message to J. Ginger and other unscrupulous employers that threating workers’ rights to a collective voice will not be tolerated.”

Over the past two years BAC local unions across the West have been helping the craftworkers at J. Ginger address unsafe work conditions, bad treatment, and low pay. These craftworkers know the surest way to address these concerns is through the collective power and unified voice that a union brings to the jobsite.

“This is a key victory for our J. Ginger campaign,” BAC Local 4 President Lupe Aldaco emphasized. “Too often companies fire workers to deter union organizing and to scare workers. This ruling will show others that there are legal protections, including backpay, when that happens. J. Ginger should think twice about whether they want to continue this unlawful activity moving forward.”

In April of last year, 122 employees of J Ginger Masonry in Northern California sought and won an election to be represented by BAC Local 3. The struggle for a first contract there continues, as BAC and the bricklayers of J. Ginger continue their fight for fair treatment of craftworkers.

The full decision can be read on bacweb.org. //

Western Region Apprentices Showcase Skills in Hawaii

On June 10, the Western Region held its annual Apprentice Contest. Dozens of BAC apprentices from across the western United States came to Honolulu, HI to compete. Winners were:

PCC

1st Timothy Smith – Local 1 OR/WA/ ID/MT

2nd Daniel Bojorquez – Local 3 CA

3rd Adan Arteaga – Local 4 CA

TILE

1st Armando Roman – Local 4 CA

2nd Juan Gonzalez – Mountain West ADC (Local 13 NV)

3rd Miguel Plancarte – Local 3 CA

BRICK

1st Alexander Gonzalez – Local 4 CA

2nd Syrus Sugihara – Local 1 HI

3rd David Kelly – Mountain West ADC (Local 7 CO)

MARBLE

1st Margarito Velazquez – Local 4 CA

2nd William Black – Local 3 CA

3rd Stephen Hannon – Local 1 WA/AK

Marble first-place winner Margarito Velazquez, Local 4 CA

Tile first-place winner Armando Roman, Local 4 CA

Brick first-place winner Alexander Gonzalez, Local 4 CA

PCC first-place winner Timothy Smith, Local 1 OR/WA/ID/MT

From Nursing to Bricklaying

Before joining BAC Local 1 Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota, Amanda McRae worked as a nursing assistant in an end-oflife care dementia behavioral unit for nearly a decade. She knew she needed a career that would support her family and provide opportunities for advancement.

Her friend, a BAC member, encouraged McRae to join. She met with Local President Doug Schroeder and jumped right into her apprenticeship. “Going through classes and the actual training center for the three years, all my peers were my biggest supporters,” Amanda reflected. “They always help me in class. If I didn’t understand something, each one of them would take the time out to show me their little tricks.”

McRae also appreciated the support and guidance from some of the foremen she works with now and others early in her career. “They’ve taken me under their wing,” she explained.

FINDING A WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Amanda recently completed her 3-year bricklaying apprenticeship. As a bricklayer who is also a single mom, her days begin early. The biggest challenge she faces is daycare, since she starts before any regular centers are open. She has relied on

family friends to help care get her kids to school and off the bus.

Despite the challenge, the union provides her with the work-life balance she didn’t have in her former career. “Before, working in nursing, I was always on. I was a day shift worker, but if the next employee didn’t show up for evening shift, I would be mandated to work another eight hours because I’m taking care of people,” she said.

“That was very challenging, trying to take care of my kids when you can’t find daycare for a 16-hour shift, hardly for an eight-hour shift,” McRae continued. “I’d miss a lot of time with my kids. I never would get to do sports, activities, school concerts, or choir concerts— any of those little things that a parent should be there for.”

“Now I do get to do those things,” McRae said. “Even if my kids have a day activity, if things are slower at work and I ask in advance, they’re always more than happy to help. ‘Of course you can attend that for your child,’ where before it wasn’t really an option. I enjoy that the most.”

MENTORSHIP MATTERS

Mentorship has played a significant role in McRae’s career in the trades. “I think, especially in this new day with younger generations, that taking the time to be a mentor is very important,” she stressed. “I

didn’t have any experience. It has been huge for my career to have people take the time to mentor me.”

McRae is a member of BAC R.I.S.E. (Resource, Inclusion, Success, and Empowerment). Now that she’s a journeyworker, she pays it forward, encouraging other women to get into the trades. “I tell them it’s a great career and that they should try it,” she said. “Whenever people say, ‘I’m not strong enough’ or ‘I’m not ‘manly’ enough,’ I say, ‘I am a huge girly girl.’ Try it, give it a shot because you’d be surprised if you push yourself how much you can do.”

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE

“I am excited about my future with the BAC and I can’t really see myself leaving,” McRae said.

Her kids are proud of their bricklayer mom. “My two daughters, they think it’s so cool what I do, when I show them pictures or if we drive by and I can point something out,” McRae shared. “My son says all the time, ‘I’m going to be a bricklayer like you.’ It would be kind of nice if my kids did grow up to be bricklayers and then they could say, ‘Yeah, my mom was a bricklayer.’” //

BAC Endorses President Biden for Second Term

wage coverage and promote the use of Project Labor Agreements.

“Union workers across the United States have a clear advocate in the White House with Joe Biden,” said BAC President Tim Driscoll. “He not only regularly meets with unions on a variety of issues, but actively supports and promotes worker organizing to strengthen the middle-class. In all his legislative efforts involving construction, he ensures workers will receive fair wages and benefits, with safe working conditions.”

In June, the BAC Executive Board endorsed Joseph R. Biden for his second term as President of the United States.

Since Joe Biden took office, workers have experienced unprecedented support from the White House. BAC members are directly benefiting from the enactment of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act, which all put BAC members to work and include language to give strong incentives to ensure future investments in American manufacturing will be built by skilled craftworkers and will support local communities.

Working families, including BAC members, also are benefiting

from the pension reforms President Biden ensured were in the American Rescue Plan. President Biden then protected that program during the recent GOP attempt to defund it during the debt ceiling debate. President Biden has also led the fight to strengthen Davis-Bacon prevailing

“President Biden has kept all his 2020 campaign promises and then some, making him the most pro-labor President of our lifetimes,” President Driscoll continued. “It is because of his proven track record as a friend of BAC members, and all working families, that we heartily endorse the Biden-Harris team for four more years.” //

BAC members and officers in Philadelphia before a Labor for Biden Harris rally on June 17.

SCOTUS Ruling Attacks Right to Strike

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) once again ruled against working families by siding with the employer in Glacier Northwest, Inc. v International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local No. 174. The ruling erodes the basic right of workers to withhold their labor and represents yet another assault on unions and working families.

While the majority opinion still affirms the lawful right to strike, it opens the door for state courts to determine what “reasonable precautions” workers need to take to prevent disruption to an employer’s

operations and any consequent losses. This flies in the face of 80 years of established precedent where such matters were properly resolved by an impartial, neutral federal labor board. The decision could have a chilling effect on union activity that is protected by the National Labor Relations Act.

BAC applauds Justice Jackson for her lone dissent, which rightfully noted that the majority opinion places “a significant burden on the employees’ exercise of their statutory right to strike, unjustifiably undermining Congress’s intent.”

“This decision is another example that elections have consequences, and of the conservative wing of the Supreme Court imposing its preferred policy outcomes in the guise of neutrally applying the law,” said BAC President Tim Driscoll. “It is a dangerous moment when workers and their unions are potentially liable for losses sustained by an employer when they lawfully withhold their labor. Strikes are only successful when there is an economic impact, or the threat of one, to the employer.”

“This decision is another example that elections have consequences...

It is a dangerous moment when workers and their unions are potentially liable for losses sustained by an employer when they lawfully withhold their labor.”

— President Driscoll

I-95 BRIDGE REOPENED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE THANKS TO UNION CRAFTWORKERS

Atanker truck exploded on June 11, destroying a section of Interstate 95 (I-95) outside of Philadelphia. President Biden surveyed the damage and met with labor leaders and local officials to stress the need for this major artery of East Coast traffic to reopen as soon as possible. On June 23, a temporary fix was completed, well ahead of schedule.

In his press release published after the opening, President Biden first thanked the union workers who completed the project. “Thanks to the grit and determination of operating engineers, laborers, cement finishers [BAC members], carpenters, teamsters, and so many other proud union workers doing shifts around

the clock, I-95 is reopening,” he said. “I am so proud of the hard-working men and women on site who put their heads down, stayed at it, and got I-95 reopened in record time.” //

BAC Delegates Join Brothers and Sisters of the North American Building Trades Union (NATBU) in Building the Infrastructure Generation

North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) convened its annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, on April 24-26. The Building the Infrastructure Generation-themed event brought together thousands of national, state and local building trades leaders, including dozens of BAC delegates from across the country. Conference attendees heard from prominent labor leaders and allies, including US President Biden; former US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh; Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D); Senate

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); US Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA); and many other labor leaders and allies.

BAC Local and ADC officers and representatives were joined by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), and Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) at a working luncheon hosted by BAC on April 24.

Granddaughter of a union painter and a public-school teacher, Congresswoman

Budzinski has worked directly with unions to protect workers. “I understand the importance of the union contract for working men and women, making sure they have the wages, benefits and safe working conditions,” Rep. Budzinski said. “Those are the issues that I feel very passionate about.”

An Iraq War veteran and voting rights attorney, Congressman Chris Deluzio underlined the importance of solidarity in the labor movement. He told the BAC delegates that he would be standing in solidarity with BAC members and make sure

President Biden meeting with Philadelphia labor leaders after surveying the damage to Interstate 95, including BAC Local 1 PA/DE President Dennis Pagliotti (third from left).

the jobs we have are good union jobs that pay prevailing wages.

A co-sponsor of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, Congresswoman Haley Stevens is a strong advocate for unions and workers’ rights. “We have pro-labor,

majority Democrats, in the [Michigan] state capitol for the first time in 40 years. Doing what in the first 100 days? Repealing Right-to-Work!” Stevens proudly said.

Stevens then focused on the federal legislation that was recently

‘FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT’ RAISES DEBT CEILING

On June 3, President Biden signed into law the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, averting a global economic disaster. The Act suspends the limit on federal debt through January 1, 2025, and makes a number of changes that affect federal spending and revenues. Though some sacrifices were made to reach a compromise, President Biden prioritized union workers by ensuring that the pension protections and job-creating

passed, including the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and CHIPS and Science Act. “We are building chip factories with bricklayers,” she explained. “We are building this country and we need to prioritize our labor and union jobs.” //

programs of the last Congress remained intact, while also improving the permitting process for future projects.

“We thank President Biden for his work to protect American workers from extreme attempts by MAGA politicians to destroy programs that allow Americans to prosper and that invest in our country’s future,” said BAC President Tim Driscoll. //

US SENATE HELP COMMITTEE MOVES PRO ACT TO SENATE FLOOR

In June, the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) marked up the most significant set of labor law reforms in modern American history.

Among the three bills the Committee voted on is S. 567, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize

Act of 2023 (PRO Act), which would make it easier for workers to join unions and successfully secure a first union contract.

The legislation passed the Committee without any amendments and moves to the full Senate for debate and voting. //

Left to right: Congressman Chris Deluzio, BAC President Tim Driscoll, Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, BAC Secretary-Treasurer Jerry Sullivan, and BAC Executive Vice President Keith Hocevar at the BAC Luncheon.

DID YOU KNOW?

Prevailing Wage: Get the Facts

Prevailing wage laws ensure that money spent by the government does not undercut established local wage and benefit standards, they also stop a race to the bottom for construction contracts, support good jobs, and provide strong value to taxpayers.

Enacted in 1931, the federal Davis Bacon Act sets prevailing wage rules for federal construction projects, such as federal courthouses, office buildings, and airports. Twenty-seven states have state prevailing wage laws (also known as “little Davis Bacon Acts”), which set a prevailing wage rate for most state-funded construction projects, such as schools, state police stations, and state office buildings. Both Members at Work stories in this Issue (pages 3–9) were public projects with prevailing wages paid to BAC members, supporting local contractors, workers, and the community.

Since prevailing wage sets the labor cost for public projects, contractors are able compete on a level playing field and bid based on skill, experience, and reputation. These laws are critical to maintaining a

middle-class life for construction workers, both union and non-union. Because of this, unscrupulous organizations, like Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), want to eliminate these protections by spreading lies about the effects.

FACTS:

+ Prevailing wage produces up to a 10% increase in hiring of local contractors and workers

+ On-the-job fatalities are 14% lower in states with prevailing wage.

+ Prevailing wage reduces construction worker poverty.

+ Workers earning prevailing wage have more disposable income to put back into the community on local businesses and services, which stimulates job creation across the entire local economy

+ 83% of peer-reviewed studies conducted since 2000 find that prevailing wage has no effect on total construction costs — the money goes to the workers and local employers instead of big business profit.

+ States with prevailing wage laws have up to 15% higher productivity on construction sites and spend less on fuels and materials as contractors utilize higher skilled local workers.

+ Prevailing wage boosts the economy by over $1 billion annually.

+ Prevailing wage reduces racial income inequality in construction by 7%-53% (depending on state).

Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses

Construction workers, who often work outdoors in direct sunlight or in hot, enclosed spaces, are at an increased risk for heat-related illnesses and even death. These illnesses and fatalities are preventable with an effective heat-related illness program in place on the jobsite. Prevention requires both employers and workers to recognize heat hazards and the symptoms of heat illness.

Job-related factors that increase the risk of heat-related illness and death include but are not limited to:

+ Machinery, power tools, and hot/ molten materials that radiate additional heat;

+ Working in direct sunlight;

+ Physical exertion and heavy workloads generate heat in the body and cause fluids to be lost more quickly through sweat;

+ Clothing and PPE that can trap heat and reduce air flow, making it harder for the body to cool itself;

+ Lack of acclimatization,

+ Working in enclosed spaces,

+ Some medications, and caffeine.

It is important to know the symptoms of both heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

+ Weakness and wet skin;

+ Headache, dizziness, or fainting;

+ Nausea or vomiting.

Symptoms of heat stroke include:

+ Excessive sweating or red, hot, dry skin;

+ Confusion or fainting; and

+ Convulsions or seizures.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate first aid.

HEAT-ILLNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM

Employers should develop a heat-illness prevention program

and train workers, including supervisors, so they understand heat exposure risks, preventative actions, and first aid. A crucial part of any plan is to have an Emergency Response Plan in the event workers develop heat illnesses.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) provide up-to-date resources on heat illness. OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Campaign educates employers and workers on the dangers of working in the heat.

Visit

to access the campaign resources, and also to subscribe to The Heat Source, OSHA’s newsletter on heat illness prevention.

To access CPWR’s resources in English and Spanish, visit https:// tinyurl.com/mwk5vbtx. CPWR also hosts regular webinars on a variety

of topics related to occupational health and safety. To view and register for upcoming webinars, visit https://tinyurl.com/4ke62n5m. //

IU Safety & Health Webinars Address Mast Climbing Safety and Fall Protections

The IU Safety and Health Department recently held webinars on mast climbing safety and fall protections.

In the Mast Climbers Safety webinar, IU Safety & Health Director Liliana Calderon, IMTEF Director of Safety Dave Wysocki, and IMTEF Regional Safety & Training Directors Dave Donkin and Dan Flores discussed how to stay safe while using mast climbers. The speakers reviewed the new American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) standard for mast-climbing work platforms, the advantages of

using mast climbers over traditional scaffolding, how to safely get on and off mast climbers, and how to avoid common hazards. Resources on the topic were provided at the end of the webinar.

The Fall Protections: ABCDEs webinar — led by BAC SecretaryTreasurer Jerry Sullivan, Calderon, Donkin and Flores — focused on the danger of falls and how to stay safe on the job.

“Since 2021, fatalities caused by falls and elevation continue to be the leading cause of death for construction employees, counting for 378 of the 986 construction

fatalities as recorded by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those deaths were preventable,” said SecretaryTreasurer Sullivan.

The speakers each highlighted one of the ABCDEs of fall protection:

+ The requirements of Anchorage/ Anchor points;

+ The types of full-Body harnesses and how to properly wear and care for them;

+ Types of Connectors;

+ The purpose of Deceleration devices and their proper inspection; and

+ The importance of Egress/ Rescue systems in the event of a fall.

Resources on the topic are provided at the end of the webinar. To watch the recorded webinar, visit: https://tinyurl.com/y7ezxdj6.

To view other recorded webinars and the schedule of upcoming webinars, visit: bacweb.org/safety. //

“Since 2021, fatalities caused by falls and elevation continue to be the leading cause of death for construction employees... Those deaths were preventable.”

— Secretary-Treasurer Jerry Sullivan

Young Architects and BAC Craftworkers Inspire One Another at Masonry Camp

During Masonry Camp 2023, 41 young architects and BAC craftworkers teamed up for a weeklong collaborative learning experience to deepen their understanding of how to design and build high-performing masonry and tile projects.

The program, held at the BAC/ IMI John J. Flynn International Training Center in Bowie, MD, provides an immersive look at materiality and constructability through classroom lectures, hands-on building exercises, and team-building activities.

The week culminated in a group challenge to design and build representative mock-ups of resilient, sustainable community and workforce development centers. Seven teams comprised of both architects and craftworkers worked to address extreme environmental events in different parts of the country. The solutions they developed reflect the local area’s existing architecture and show how masonry and tile structures serve climate-threatened communities.

A team of judges — BAC President and IMI Co-Chair Timothy Driscoll, IMTEF National Training Director Anthony DiPerna, Principal at Moto Designshop Eric Oskey, and Business Unit Leader at

DPR Construction Camilo Garcia — evaluated and inspected each team’s mock-up and presentation. Each judge brought with them their unique personal and professional perspective on the projects and provided insight to the teams after their presentations. They took into consideration the overall programmatic challenges of each project as well as the design intent. When it came to reviewing the mock-ups, the judges were amazed at the level of craftsmanship performed by both architect and craftworker participants in such a short period of time.

“This year’s program epitomizes the work we do to educate designers and craftworkers throughout their careers and to bring designers and builders together to create a better built environment,” said BAC President Driscoll. “Designers learned more about materiality, the

advantages of masonry and tile — particularly when they’re properly installed, and an appreciation for the craft of masonry and tile work. Masonry Camp also empowers craftworkers to share their own knowledge of our materials with the design community, both in the training center and on the job, because of the collaborative experience.”

2023 Masonry Camp cohort pictured with judges, BAC Executive Board members, and IMI and IMTEF staff.

Zachary Smith, pictured with microphone, showcases his team’s project, which addressed humidity in Maryland by mitigating moisture through measures like creating a cavity wall for drying and reducing the structure’s overall number of joints. Also pictured, from left: Arturo Flores, BAC Local 4 CA; Michael Fasulo, BAC ADC of NJ; Ruike Liu, HDR, Inc.; Elizabeth Posadas, Hasenstab Architects, Inc.; and Keaka Kuhaulua, BAC Local 1 HI.

The experience provided the architects and craftworkers with a newfound respect and appreciation for one another’s work. “It’s great to know there are artisans out there that care about the details as much as we do as designers,” said Zachary Smith, an architect from Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill.

The feeling was mutual for Keaka Kuhaulua, bricklayer from BAC Local 1 Hawaii. “It was eye-opening for me to see everything that goes into the design process. We’re craftworkers, but architects are craftspeople, too.”

That eye opening experience is a part of what makes Masonry Camp such a transformational experience for the young designers and builders who have the chance to participate. One that can influence how they practice their respective crafts in the future.

“We hope that as Masonry Campers advance in their careers, the collaboration and dialogue they engaged in during this program will help them cross professional boundaries to ensure successful masonry and tile projects,” explained Roy Ingraffia, IMI National Director of Industry Development.

Indeed, many Masonry Camp alumni go on to one day assume leadership positions in the industry, whether as principals of design firms, union officials, owners of signatory contracting companies, or otherwise. “The talented designers

and craftworkers at Camp represent the future leaders of our industry who have the power to influence both design and installation practices,” says Ingraffia.

In a design industry that is often digitally driven, the participants were able to step out of that realm at Camp and discover the value of early-project tactile-based collaboration. The exercise allowed the architect team members to appreciate the level of detail and information that installers need to accurately interpret design intent on a project.

“Just because you can draw it or model it doesn’t mean it can be built,” said Chad Clary of Studio A Architecture. He went on to encourage his colleagues at Camp to make a point to talk with contractors and craftworkers on jobsites when the

opportunity arises. “They have the construction knowledge and pride in their work. They love to share that information.”

The process of working with professional craftworkers and instructors to learn how to install materials gave many of the architects new insight on how to set construction teams up for success. “I know I’ll do a lot less hand-waving now that I’ve had the experience of actually building a wall,” said Paul Bestul of Bray Architects. “We may be at opposite ends of the industry, but ultimately, we all have the same goals. I came into this experience thinking that architects were artists, but now I realize craftspeople are the true artists. They make our designs come to life, and I have so much respect for the hard work they do every day.” //

Argenis Martinez, Local 4 CA, seated center, and Chad Clary, above him, showing off their team’s tile design, an homage to the California state flag. Also pictured are their fellow teammates, from left: Viki Kirsch, Local 3 NY; Mason Mingo, Local 3 IA; Carolina Downey, Francis Cauffman Architects; and Eric Pros, DS Architecture.

Keaka Kuhaulua, right, helping architect Carolina Downey, Francis Cauffman Architects, learn how to spread mortar and lay brick.

Paul Bestul presents his team’s project, which addressed Minnesota’s extreme cold and freezing temperatures by taking advantage of masonry’s thermal mass.

BAC Members in IMI’s Aspiring Contractor Course Share Big Dreams of Owning Their Own Businesses

There is a lot that goes into running your own business, but many entrepreneurial BAC members have big dreams of doing just that. To help them understand how to start and run a successful union contracting company, IMI offers the Aspiring Contractor Certificate Program.

This spring, over 20 BAC craftworkers from across the country signed on to participate in the 5-day virtual course. The program covers all the basics for getting started, from creating a business plan, to registering a company, securing financing, meeting legal requirements, obtaining licenses, and more. Beyond that, the course also explains BAC Collective Bargaining Agreements, and how multiemployer

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CONTRACTOR?

If you’re interested in signing up for future offerings of IMI’s Aspiring Contractor Program, get in touch at imiweb.org/ contact/. You can also view upcoming continuing education opportunities offered through the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation (IMTEF) at imtef.org/calendar/.

pension and healthcare plans work. Plus, it dives into the services and support union contractors receive from BAC, IMI, and the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation (IMTEF).

BAC Local 1 PA/DE member Joe Magazzeni wanted to start his own company not only to support his family, but to build something he can leave behind for his children. Having worked as a non-union bricklayer before joining Local 1, there was no doubt in his mind that opening a union shop was the best decision for his business.

“As a bricklayer in the field, the benefits and security for my future are what motivated me to join BAC,” Magazzeni said. “As a contractor, there’s no better way to build a quality, skilled workforce than with the union.”

The Aspiring Contractor Program helped build Magazzeni’s

confidence when it comes to the ins and outs of running a construction company, in particular payroll processes and bidding work. Just after the class concluded, Magazzeni was proud to land his first project — a quarter million-dollar contract for an addition on a car dealership. The project kicks off this summer and is expected to employ 4 bricklayers.

In Chicago, BAC ADC 1 of IL member Josue Cabrera was also signing on virtually each evening with IMI to attend the Aspiring Contractor Program. Cabrera, like Magazzeni, has spent the better part of his career working as a foreperson. “I’m starting to think about the next phase of my career,” he said. His goal is to transition his years of experience working as a tile setter and foreperson into an office role, helping with bidding, project management, and other management tasks.

“This class took me to another level, and I want to learn more,” said Cabrera, who frequently uses his downtime to take advantage of upgrade and certificate training offered through IMI and IMTEF.

As for starting his own company? “Maybe one day, I’ll be fortunate enough to have the

Local 1 PA/DE member Joe Magazzeni

opportunity to take over someone’s business as they look to retire.”

Regardless, Cabrera feels the insights he gained from the class will also help him in his current role. “I talk to a lot of architects, owners, and contractors on a dayto-day basis. I now have a better understanding of how to speak their language — and I think that’ll build their confidence in me and show that I know what I’m talking about.”

Similarly, Magazzeni said that having the union’s reputation for quality work behind him has helped as he’s establishing himself in the industry. “When I tell general contractors we’re a union company, they seem to be pleased with that.”

“Some of BAC’s most successful contractors started their careers as skilled craftworkers,” said Caryn Halifax, President of IMI and IMTEF. “We’re proud to continue

supporting that tradition through programs like the Aspiring Contractor course as we work together to grow and strengthen the union masonry and tile industry.” //

Job Corp Students Relocate to Work on BlueOval SK Battery Park

Two BAC bricklayer apprentices from the Job Corps program are learning the trade and gaining experience on one of the largest construction projects in the US right now – the BlueOval SK Battery Park in Glendale, KY.

BlueOval SK, a joint venture with SK On, is a $5.8 billion investment which consists of twin battery

manufacturing facilities that will produce batteries for the next generation of Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles. The Barton Malow Company, a BAC signatory contractor, is the general contractor on the job, subcontracting the masonry work to signatories Dodds Masonry and Leidal and Hart. As this issue goes to press, phase 1 of the project,

expected to last the next five and a half years, is underway.

BAC Local 4 IN/KY member Omar Rodriguez relocated from Chicago to the Elizabethtown, KY area in April for the opportunity to work on the project. Rodriguez learned about Job Corps a few years ago from a friend who completed the program.

ADC 1 of IL member Josue Cabrera

“This class took me to another level, and I want to learn more... I talk to a lot of architects, owners, and contractors on a day-to-day basis. I now have a better understanding of how to speak their language.”

— ADC 1 of IL member Josue Cabrera

He joined the Paul Simon Job Corps Center in September 2022 and out of 14 trades, chose to enter the IMI bricklaying program. He is grateful for the support he receives on the job to help apprentices like himself succeed.

Asked what he likes about this opportunity, Rodriguez shared “I like the fact you can move around, it’s hands on, you’re learning how to use the tools, how to read the blueprints, what the journeyworker needs to lay their block or lay whatever’s being built.”

BAC Local 4 IN/KY member Lance House also relocated from Chicago in April for the opportunity to work on the BlueOval SK Battery Park. Before joining Job Corps at Paul Simon, House worked in welding with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 in IL for a year. He enjoyed the work but saw an ad on TikTok for Job Corps that caught his attention. He joined Job Corps in August 2022.

“We’re proud to have these talented, dedicated Job Corps graduates working on such a monumental project,” IMI National Job Corps Director Jonas Elmore said. “Omar and Lance may both have the unique opportunity to start and finish their apprenticeship working for a single employer on this plant.”

“Everyone has been welcoming and instructors teach critical skills for adult life, like the importance of paying bills and showing up on time,” House said. “A lot of people are in home situations where they don’t learn important skills like that.”

When asked what he enjoys about being a bricklayer, House shared, “I fell in love with it. It’s a skill. I love everything about bricklaying. In the future I can say, ‘I built downtown.’ I can actually say ‘I built that battery plant.’ I was on the wall building it, real mortar and everything.”

The future is bright for Omar and Lance as they take advantage of

this opportunity to learn and gain experience working on a project of the magnitude that is the BlueOval SK Battery Park. To learn more about BAC’s and IMI’s involvement in Job Corps, visit: https://www. imtef.org/job-corps-program/. //

(l-r) Local 4 IN/KY members Lance House and Omar Rodriguez in front of the BlueOval SK Battery Park construction site.

Lance House

BUDGET 2023 DELIVERS STRONG WINS FOR BUILDING TRADES WORKERS

The Government of Canada released the 2023 Federal Budget in March. It includes strong investments to build Canada’s green economy, building on commitments announced in the Fall Economic Statement.

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) applauded the budget, which reflects the government’s commitment to growing the middle class and an economy that will help Canada meet its net-zero goals. Some highlights of the budget include:

+ The definition of “prevailing wage,” which is a win for all workers but especially building trades workers. Tying investment tax credits to projects using prevailing wages (normally set by the union scale) and benefits language raises the standard of living for all workers and strengthens the middle class.

+ The $4,000 CA mobility tax credit is an incentive for construction workers to travel the country to fill demand in provinces experiencing labour shortages.

+ There are numerous grants and loans available to apprentices that are designed to increase recruitment and retention on the road to becoming journey workers.

+ The Union Training and Innovation Program, which provides $25 million annually to support apprenticeship training in the Red Seal trades across Canada. BAC Locals apply for and access this funding, with the goal of improving their individual training centres with additional equipment or infrastructure, depending on the stream of funding they apply for.

“The 2023 budget shows the Trudeau government’s continued commitment to growing the middle class, strengthening unions, and moving Canada towards a net-zero economy while keeping workers at the forefront,” said Canada Regional Director Craig Strudwick. “As we move into another phase of energy production, it is valuable to have a government that prioritizes working people. //

LE BUDGET DE 2023 GÉNÈRE DES GAINS IMPORTANTS POUR LES TRAVAILLEURS DES MÉTIERS DE LA CONSTRUCTION

En mars dernier, le gouvernement du Canada a publié le budget fédéral de 2023. S’appuyant sur les engagements annoncés dans l’énoncé économique de l’automne, il comprend des investissements robustes visant à bâtir l’économie verte du Canada.

Les Syndicats des métiers de la construction du Canada (SMCC) ont applaudi le budget, qui reflète l’engagement du gouvernement à faire croître la classe moyenne et à stimuler une économie qui aidera le Canada à atteindre ses objectifs de carboneutralité. Voici quelques points forts du budget :

+ La définition du « salaire courant », qui représente une victoire pour tous les travailleurs, mais surtout pour ceux du bâtiment. Le fait de lier les crédits d’impôt à l’investissement à des projets utilisant le langage associé aux salaires courants (normalement fixés par le barème syndical) et aux avantages sociaux permettra d’améliorer le niveau de vie de tous les travailleurs et de renforcer la classe moyenne.

+ Le crédit d’impôt pour la mobilité de 4 000 $CA incitera les travailleurs du secteur de la construction à parcourir le pays pour répondre à la demande dans les provinces qui connaissent une pénurie de main-d’œuvre.

+ On y trouve bon nombre de subventions et de prêts destinés aux apprentis afin d’augmenter le recrutement et le maintien en poste sur le chemin pour devenir des travailleurs journaliers.

+ Le Programme pour la formation et l’innovation en milieu syndical, qui propose 25 millions de dollars par an pour soutenir la formation en apprentissage dans les métiers du Sceau rouge à travers le Canada. Les sections locales du BAC demandent ce financement et y accèdent, dans le but d’améliorer leurs centres de formation individuels en y ajoutant des équipements ou des infrastructures supplémentaires, en fonction du flux de financement qu’elles demandent.

«Le budget de 2023 montre l’engagement continu de le gouvernement Trudeau à faire croître la classe moyenne, à renforcer les syndicats et à faire progresser le Canada vers une économie carboneutre tout en maintenant les travailleurs au premier plan, » a affirmé le directeur régional pour le Canada, Craig Strudwick. « Alors que nous accédons à une nouvelle étape en matière de production d’énergie, il est important d’avoir un gouvernement qui donne la priorité aux travailleurs. » //

Local 2 Michigan Rebuilt Dugouts

The softball players of Essexville, MI have refurbished, beautiful dugouts to store their gear and cheer on their teams, thanks to BAC Local 2 Michigan members. Retired Local 2 MI member Dennis Kloha, Local 2 MI apprentices Kayle Wooten, Jack Pattison and Bret Payne, and Local 2 Business Agents Chad Morrison and Greg Lobodzinski volunteered their time and used their best hands in the business for bricklaying and cement finishing to refurbish the existing dugouts. //

International Union Marches for Babies

International Union staff participated in the March of Dimes’ March for Babies walk in April to raise funds to support healthy moms and babies. March of Dimes’ mission is to lead the fight for the health of all moms and babies, end preventable maternal health risks and deaths, end preventable preterm birth and infant death, and close the health equity gap.

BAC has been a proud Legacy Partner with March for Babies for over 20 years. This year BAC raised a total of $18,213, ranking 5th in the region for fundraising. //

Beautiful finish to the entry of the dugout

Retired Local 2 MI bricklayer Dennis Kloha laying block

Local 2 MI Cement mason apprentices, left to right: Jack Pattison, Kayle Wooten, and Bret Payne preparing to float the edges and prepare the straight line.

International Union staff and their families back row, left to right: Billy and Kim Ward with their children, Executive Vice President Keith Hocevar, Patrick Richards, Marcie McCarthy, Hannah McCarthy, and Michelle Upton. Front row, left to right: John Smith, Dorothy Norris with her grandchildren, and Roberta Haut.

Local 2 New York/Vermont Members Contribute to Capt. USMC David T. Wallingford Veteran’s Park

Local 2 NY/VT members have donated their time and skills over the last five years to the Capt. USMC David T. Wallingford Veteran’s Park in Malta, NY.

The park, formerly called Malta Veterans Memorial Park, was renamed in 2021 to Capt. USMC David T.

Wallingford Veteran’s Park in honor of Vietnam War Marines veteran and two-time Purple Heart recipient US Marine Corps Capt. David Wallingford.

Local 2 NY/VT Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Potter has been the point person on the project since its 2018 ground breaking and has given countless hours. //

Part of the finished memorial brick walkway, including engraved dedicated bricks, at the Capt. USMC David T.

Entrance to the Capt. USMC David T. Wallingford Veteran’s Park.

Local 2 NY/VT Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Potter lays brick for the memorial brick walkway at the Capt. USMC David T.

INTERNATIONAL PENSION FUND

International Pension Fund Progresses Towards Full Funding

Despite the historic COVID-19 pandemic, the International Pension Fund (IPF) continues on a trajectory to full funding.

How soon that goal is met continues to depend on several variables, including hours worked and investment returns on IPF assets. The second graph below shows the Projected Funding Ratio and PPA Status. IPF is projected to reach safe status in 2029.

The first graph below right shows the IPF annual hours dating back to the Great Recession, during which IPF lost 40 percent of its reported hours. This affected hourly contributions, the funding level of the plan and the investment returns.

The Trustees are committed to the sound administration of your plan to provide the pension benefits that you earned. The plan has always paid its benefit obligation on time and remains committed to doing so in the future. //

WAYS TO CONTACT THE INTERNATIONAL PENSION FUND OFFICE

To answer your question faster when contacting the International Pension Fund, please use the email addresses below, separated by topic:

IPFPensionapplicantinfo@ipfweb.org

+ File a pension application

+ Updates to the status of applications that have been filed

+ Provide information/documentation that is required to complete the processing of the application

PensionEstimate@ipfweb.org

+ Request a formal estimate of IPF retirement benefits

+ Request a list of hours reported on their behalf by participating employers

+ Request an application for retirement

+ Pre-retirement death/survivor benefits inquiries

+ Any pre-retirement inquiries

PensionPayroll@ipfweb.org

+ Request pension verification or award letter

+ Request or submit a direct deposit form

+ Report the death of a pensioner

+ Request a copy of a 1099-R form or T-4A form (Canada)

+ Inquire regarding the option chosen at retirement and benefit amount

To contact the BACSave International Retirement Savings Plan (Annuity) or 401k Plan email RSPwithdrawal applicantinfo@ipfweb.org

+ Request an application for withdrawal

+ File an application for withdrawal

+ Provide information to complete the application process

You can also contact the International Pension Fund office via the toll-free number at 1-888-880-8222.

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH FUND

Personal Health Support Program

The International Health Fund’s benefit package includes a personalized, member-focused program through its medical carrier, United Healthcare (UHC), called Personal Health Support (PHS). Personal Health Support gives members access to services and clinical support across a range of health and wellness goals, from staying healthy and getting healthy, to managing a chronic condition. The program is staffed by nurses that center their efforts on prevention, education, and closing gaps in care. PHS nurses are notified when a member or provider contacts UHC regarding upcoming treatment, which initiates outreach regarding the program.

Members who are living with a chronic condition or dealing with complex health care needs may be assigned to a primary nurse, who answers questions, explains options, identifies needs, and may make referrals to specialized care programs. Members who participate in the program are provided with contact information for their primary nurse so they can contact them with questions about their condition and overall health.

Personal Health Support Nurses provide a variety of services to help members receive appropriate medical care. These program components include:

+ Admission Counseling — Nurse Advocates help members prepare for successful surgical admission and recovery.

+ Inpatient Care Management — If hospitalized, a nurse works with the member’s physician to ensure the member receives the care needed while

hospitalized and that the physician’s treatment plan is being carried out effectively.

+ Readmission Management — This program serves as a bridge between the hospital and home if there is a high risk of readmission. Upon discharge, members with chronic conditions may be contacted by a PHS Nurse to confirm that medications, needed equipment, or follow-up services are in place. The PHS Nurse will also share important health care information, reiterate and reinforce discharge instructions, and support a safe transition home.

+ Risk Management — Designed for participants with certain chronic or complex conditions, this program component addresses such health care needs as access to medical specialists, medication information, and coordination of equipment and supplies.

+ Cancer Management — With this component of PHS, members can engage with a nurse that specializes in cancer, education and guidance throughout their care path.

+ Kidney Management — Members with CKD stage 4/5 or end-stage renal disease can engage with a nurse that specializes in kidney disease, education and guidance throughout their care path.

This program is one of the many programs provided at no-cost to members covered through the IHF. With the Personal Health Support Program, the IHF aims to ensure members receive the most appropriate and cost-effective services available.

Members of IHF participating locals can contact the Fund Office at 1-888-880-8222 with any questions regarding this program. //

Summertime Sadness

Major Depressive Disorder with a seasonal (spring, summer, fall, winter) pattern — often known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD — is commonly associated with the concept of ‘wintertime blues.’ However, SAD is a diagnosable clinical condition that can occur with any seasonal change, including summer.

An adverse summertime mood change can be especially shame-inducing, and worsen symptoms of depression, for individuals who are repeatedly exposed to the message that they should be happier during the summer, not sadder. This is often the message from social media (viewing another’s post of a seemingly enjoyable beach vacation); from family and friends (being told that you shouldn’t stay inside while the sun is shining); or cultural norms which hold that summer is the season of fun.

Even if you are not experiencing symptoms severe enough to warrant a diagnosis of SAD, significant mood changes are important to note, since doing so can lead to relief by seeking help. Signs of significant mood changes include:

+ Feeling depressed most days

+ Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities

+ Appetite, sleep, and energy level changes

+ Agitation

+ Difficulty concentrating

+ Feelings of despair or hopelessness.

Although not universally applicable, notable symptoms of summer-pattern SAD may include insomnia, poor appetite, restlessness, anxiety, poor anger management, and even episodes of violent behavior.

On top of changes in a brain’s chemistry that may lead to the onset of summer-pattern SAD, environmental factors can contribute as well. These could

include disrupted family schedules due to children being out of school, triggers related to poor body image, and financial expectations or obligations, such as summer vacations or costs of childcare that may not be incurred during other seasons.

The most notable summertime environmental condition that may negatively impact construction workers is heat. Aside from the significant risk of medical illness due to heat exposure, there are mental and cognitive health risks as well (for information on how to prevent heat-related illnesses, please see pages 20–21). Research also links heat exposure to problems with memory, attention, and reaction time. One study showed that hotter days were associated with a higher risk of emergency room visits for substance use, mood and anxiety disorders and several other mental illnesses.

If you are finding it hard to “enjoy life” this summer, you are not alone. MAP encourages you to respond proactively and seek support. Whether your symptoms are mild or more severe, there are paths forward. If you or a loved one needs support, or would like more information about this topic, please call MAP for free, confidential help at 1-833-MAP-TALK, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. //

LOCAL Compass

ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT COUNCIL 1 OF ILLINOIS

ADC 1 of IL (Local 21) member Chris Vandenberg was recognized for his 40 years of service.

Left to right: ADC 1 of IL Business Representative Michael Szelag, Brother Vandenberg, and ADC 1 of IL PCC Director Hector Arellano.

ADC 1 of IL (Local 21) member Nick Coglianese receiving his Gold Card, watch, and mug in recognition of his 50 years of service.

ADC 1 of IL (Local 56) 51-year member Pasquale Ungaro receiving his Gold Card and watch from Local 56 IL President Doug Johnston.

ADC 1 of IL (Local 21) member Will Williams receiving his Gold Card in recognition of his 50 years of service.

LOCAL 2 MICHIGAN

Local 2 MI honored several 50-year members from the metro Detroit and Upper Peninsula areas in May.

left to right: Local 2 MI Secretary-Treasurer Brett Gierak, Local 2 MI members Lawrence Leshan, John Stupar, and Richard LeMarbe Jr., and Local 2 MI President Paul Dunford.

LOCAL 3 IOWA

LOCAL 4 CALIFORNIA

Local 3 IA member Josh Wignall receives his 25-year pin and Cutco knife from Local 3 IA President Ray Lemke.

BAC Local 4 CA 25-year member Rito Alvarado receives his certificate and pin from Local 4 CA President Lupe Aldaco.

BAC Local 4 CA 25-year member Robert DeLeon receives his certificate and pin from Local 4 CA President Lupe Aldaco.

BAC Local 4 CA member Dung Ngo receives his certificate and pin in recognition of his 25 years of service.

From

Local 2 MI 50-year member Alex Sovey receives his Gold Card from, left to right, Local 2 MI Field Representative Adam Saari and Local 2 MI President Paul Dunford.

IN MEMORIAM — JANUARY

Death Benefit Claims for January 2023

IN MEMORIAM — FEBRUARY

Death Benefit Claims for February 2023

XIX OF THE IU CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THAT DEATH BENEFIT CLAIMS MUST BE

MONTHS OF A MEMBER'S DEATH. MEMBERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THEY SHOULD UPDATE THEIR BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FOLLOWING ANY MAJOR

IN MEMORIAM — MARCH

IN MEMORIAM — APRIL

Allan - 05, ON

Daniel L. - 04, IN/KY

David N. - 21, IL