10 minute read
News in Brief
The 2021 US Bates Scholarship program awarded each of six college-bound students from BAC families with a stipend of $5,000 per year for up to four years — up to $20,000 total. Three winners were featured in the last BAC Journal, and the other three are featured below.
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ISABELLA KRAMER
Father: John Kramer, Local 5 Pennsylvania Attending: Pennsylvania State University Major: Political Science
What does this recognition mean to you?
Personally, this recognition means everything to me. It is allowing me to pursue an education at my dream school and become one step closer to accomplishing my goals. This recognition also means that there are people who believe in me. Everything I have done up until this point in my life was significant and meaningful and being granted this award truly reinforces that. Being awarded with this scholarship proves to me that kindness is everything, and without it, I would be nothing.
What does the union mean to you and your family?
My father being a part of this union keeps my mind at ease. Just knowing that there is an organization that will support my father and have his best interest in my mind, keeps me sane especially after such trying times this past year. The union allows myself and my father to live comfortably without worry which is not always a given to some folks. I will forever be grateful for such an amazing union continuously being there for my family.
Who would you like to give a shout-out to?
I would like to give a shout-out to my family, especially my dad. Without their support and motivation behind the scenes, I have no clue where I would be. Thank you for teaching me the values of hard work and dedication and for never giving up on me.
SOPHIA CIVITELLA
Father: David Civitella, Local 4 New Jersey Attending: Montclair State University Majoring: Earth and Environmental Science
What does this recognition mean to you?
It obviously means the world to not only me but to my dad because it’s nice to see my work in high school go towards something like this and also see my dad recognized for his work in the union and it takes a big financial burden off of us for college, which is really good.
What does the union mean to you and your family?
My dad has been part of the union for quite a long time, I want to say over 30 years. And it means we’ve been able to have good health insurance, dental, vision, all that stuff. Because I went to the doctors a lot as a kid. It meant I never had to worry about paying for that.
CALLEN HALDORSEN
Father: Kurt Haldorsen, Local 8 Illinois Attending: Lake Land College Major: Psychology
What does this recognition mean to you?
Well, to me the only way that I got this scholarship was because my dad was a member of the Union so it was sort of a tribute to him and all his hard work that he had done and then it benefited me and all my hard work I had put into my schooling and everything.
What does the union mean to you and your family?
The union has provided a lot of benefits and opportunities for my dad. It has provided him with his trade, and with jobs that he loves, and with wages that ensure our financial stability in our family. And then in return it has also given me a great opportunity by awarding me this scholarship that I received.
Who would you like to give a shout-out to?
I would probably just give a shout out to my entire family, my parents and sibling who have been my rock through all of school and my entire life. They are my best friends. And they have pushed me as hard as I could be pushed so I can be amazing in every area of life. //
BAC Congratulates New AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Her Leadership Team
On August 20, the Executive Board of the AFL-CIO unanimously elected Liz Shuler as President of the federation, filling the vacancy left by the death of President Richard Trumka. Shuler, an IBEW member who was elected AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer in 2009, is the first woman to serve as President of the organization.
Fred Redmond, previously the International Vice President of the United Steelworkers, was elected to succeed Shuler as Secretary-Treasurer of the federation, and became the first African American to hold the AFL-CIO’s second-highest office.
BAC President Tim Driscoll congratulated AFL-CIO’s newly elected officers, and said that BAC looks forward to working with the new leadership team.
“Sister Shuler’s commitment to strengthening the voice of union labor — from the workplace to the halls of Congress — is second to none. Her passion and work ethic have been rewarded by her peers in electing her as the sixth President of the AFL-CIO, and the first woman to hold that position,” President Driscoll said. “On behalf of our Union, I want to congratulate Liz, Fred, and Executive Vice President Tefere Gebre. They are a diverse and dynamic leadership team that will work tirelessly to provide a brighter future for all working families.” //
BAC Delegates Attend LCLAA 23rd Convention
Led by BAC Executive Vice President Carlos Aquin, a group of delegates representing BAC attended the 23rd convention of Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) held in Las Vegas, August 4–6.
The convention outlined the issues most important to Latino workers, including an equitable pandemic recovery, sweeping and fair immigration reform, solidarity with brothers and sisters in Latin America, and the importance of organizing to grow the labor movement. Delegates approved resolutions supporting “a fair and just Puerto Rico,” the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Restoration Act.
“Working together with LCLAA, we champion better policies for all working families,” Aquin said. “Like LCLAA, our members at BAC come from every walk of life. Our diversity makes our Union stronger. We will continue to deepen our commitment to building and retaining a diverse and inclusive membership with world-class training and skills to succeed.” //
BAC delegates to the 23rd convention of LCLAA. From left, Raul Zamarron of Local 2 Michigan, BAC Executive Vice President Carlos Aquin, Eduardo Zavala, Jacob Gonzalez, and Richard Crawford of Mountain West ADC, Juan Tapia of Local 1 Washington/Alaska, Karina Jaramillo of Local 5 Oklahoma/Arkansas/Texas, Hector Arellano of ADC 1 of Illinois, Cesar Torres of Local 15 Missouri/Kansas/Nebraska, Juan Cuellar of ADC 1 of Illinois, Jairo Cabrera of Ohio-Kentucky ADC, BAC Field Representative Mark Davis, Arnaldo Martinez and Esteban Carrion of Local 1 New York, and BAC Political Director Jean-Paul Itz. From left, BAC Local 4 NJ President Ken Simone, ADC of NJ Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Duncan, BAC President Tim Driscoll, Director of ADC of NJ John Capo, and Local 5 NJ President Leon Jones.
On August 5th, BAC President Tim Driscoll visited Local 1 Connecticut training center and met with apprentices, training coordinators, instructors, and officers.
“Apprentices are the lifeblood of our Union and the industry,” BAC President Driscoll said. “For decades, BAC has been focusing on the value of developing a skilled workforce for tomorrow through its quality training programs.”
Steve Carney, Apprentice Coordinator of Local 1 CT, said, “Our staff and students at the training
BAC President Tim Driscoll, right, and Director of NJADC John Capo standing in front of a 3.5-yard ready-mix concrete truck used by NJADC for training cement masons. BAC President Tim Driscoll, left, speaking with Apprentice Coordinator Tom Doherty at the NJADC training facility.
facility were excited and grateful for the visit of President Driscoll. It’s a wonderful morale booster for us all.”
President Driscoll also visited BAC Local 4 New Jersey’s union hall and the Administrative District Council of New Jersey’s training facility on August 24th in Fairfield, NJ, where he met with apprentices, training coordinators, instructors, and officers.
“On behalf of officers and staff of NJADC and staff of apprenticeship and training program, we thank President Driscoll for his visit and time. In addition to a tour of our training facility, union hall, and benefits fund offices, we had productive conversations discussing issues that matter the most to our members.” //
From left, Local 4 NJ Instructor Eric Doherty, BAC President Tim Driscoll, apprentices Wesam Shaabna, Marin Aguilera-Ramirez, Joseph Hnatko, and Chris Garcia, and Director of NJADC John Capo. Local 1 CT President Gerald Marotti, right, presents BAC President Tim Driscoll with a trowel dated 1894 and a delegate pin dated 1912.
Standing from left, BAC Local 1 CT Apprentice Coordinator Steve Carney, apprentices Brandon Boyea, Travis Connetti, Jose Cartagena, and Richard Bias, BAC Northeast Regional Director Al Catalano, Local 1 CT President Gerald Marotti, BAC President Tim Driscoll, apprentices Fernando Godinez, Alex Hernandez, Dylan Morton, Eric Benites, and instructor Vinny Rayn. Sitting from left, apprentices Jorge Godinez, Alex Davis, Trent Menard, Shavon Morgan, Hector Gonzalez, and Albert Pimpinella.
BAC LOCAL 5 PENNSYLVANIA HOSTS ORIENTATION FOR NEW APPRENTICES
BAC Local 5 Pennsylvania held an apprentice orientation class on August 7th to familiarize new apprentices with member benefits and opportunities.
“Our new members learned the history of BAC, their healthcare coverage, a variety of pension plans, as well as training and work opportunities,” said Local 5 PA President Lester Kauffman. “We explained to them the structure of our Union, and how we represent our members and promote our industry.”
Kauffman underlined the importance of hosting orientation classes for apprentices who are new to the industry and the Union. “Through these classes, we are able to answer their questions, start a dialogue, and build a relationship with each apprentice.” //
Officers of BAC Local 5 PA welcoming new apprentices at the Local’s recent apprentice orientation class.
Stay Active with Union Sportsmen’s Alliance
Your BAC Membership Entitles You to Free USA Membership
For the past decade, BAC has been partnering with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) to support and reward your passion for outdoor activities, community service, conservation of America’s outdoor heritage through a variety of programs.
A longtime supporter of USA’s mission to expand and improve access to wildlife habitats, BAC became a USA Charter Union in August 2012, entitling all BAC members to a complimentary USA membership. Since then, BAC Locals and members have participated in many outdoor events that helped bring communities together.
Take BAC Ohio-Kentucky Administrative District Council (OH-KY ADC) as an example. Partnering with USA’s Boots on the Ground program, the ADC hosted multiple fishing and deer hunting events for special needs children, lighting up these kids’ lives with joy and hope. This year also marks the USA and OH-KY ADC’s 9th annual sporting clays shoot event, raising funds for conservation projects throughout the country.
BAC Executive Vice President Jerry Sullivan said, “We’re encouraging our members and families to stay active and uniting our communities through USA’s conservation programs, especially in the midst of the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic.”
With your complementary USA membership, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
+ 4 Issues per year of The Union Sportsmen’s
Journal (electronic)
+ 1-Year MyTopo.com online mapping subscription + E-newsletter with tips and special offers
+ Money-saving discounts on outdoor gear and services + Chances to win fantastic prizes and trips all year + Personalized USA membership card (electronic) + Access to “Members-Only” section of the USA website
You can also activate your free USA membership for your chance to win by visiting: bac.unionsweepstake.com. //
BAC is on TikTok
On September 1st , BAC (@bac_tok) joined 1.5 billion users on the social media platform TikTok.
Why TikTok? Simply put, it’s where a lot of our younger members — and future members — are spending their free time. TikTok videos are enormously popular with Zoomers, and as the platform has expanded beyond lip-synching and dancing videos to comedy and how-to tutorials, it’s gained plenty of older users, as well.
On TikTok, BAC will be sharing short videos demonstrating the best of BAC craftwork, looking at our history, and explaining why the union way of life is the best way for tradespeople everywhere. You can follow BAC @bac_tok, leave comments, and share them with family and friends. Please feel free to tag us in your TikTok videos as well.
