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News in Brief
BAC Joins Other Unions to Build the Movement to Meet the Moment at the AFL-CIO Convention
President Joe Biden addresses the delegation
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Labor leaders from across the country met in Philadelphia June 12–15 for the AFL-CIO 29th Constitutional Convention. The BAC delegation included the International Executive Board — President Tim Driscoll, Secretary-Treasurer Bob Arnold, and Executive Vice President Jerry Sullivan — and a number of BAC local leaders.
Attendees were honored to hear from President Joe Biden, whose inspiring and encouraging speech focused on the rise of labor and the importance of investing in our country’s infrastructure. “The infrastructure law is about more than rebuilding. It’s about rebuilding the middle class. That’s why we made sure that infrastructure law included significant labor protections,” President Biden said. “For example, I insisted that the overwhelming majority of the funds included in the law are subject to Davis Bacon requirements.”
US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh highlighted the importance of organizing workers during his address to the delegation. “My message to everyone in this room is, in the labor movement across the country, to recognize the opportunity this moment presents,” he said. “Everyone in this room needs to make the most of this opportunity to work together and get out there to organize.”
BAC DELEGATION TAKES PART
On June 13, President Tim Driscoll co-introduced the resolution Winning Guaranteed Health Care for All. “Unions have a proud history of negotiating with employers to win good, comprehensive health care coverage for our members. We established the core principle that a good job must come with health care benefits,” he said. The resolution was unanimously adopted.
On June 15, BAC Local 8 Southeast Glenn Kelly introduced and moderated a panel for the AFLCIO Young Workers Advisory Council. “There are young people in every community who don’t have the benefit of a union job but want one. And they are organizing every
BAC President Tim Driscoll introducing the resolution Winning Guaranteed Health Care for All at the AFL-CIO Convention.
BAC delegates, alternates, and support staff with newly elected AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond.
Liliana Calderon, the IU’s Health and Safety Manager, spoke on a Women in the Trades panel on the first day of the AFL-CIO Convention.
which way — online, at work, and in their communities,” Kelly said. “We have the opportunity, and responsibility, to amplify our investments and reach young people everywhere they are.”
International Union Health and Safety Manager Liliana Calderon was a participant on a Women in the Trades panel on Sunday, June 12. “I have had people who have supported me… I have had mentors at the training center and officers at the local and International… That support pushed me forward,” she said. “I was able to learn my trade, respect my trade and love my trade.”
On Sunday, June 12, the delegates voted unanimously for Elizabeth ‘Liz’ H. Shuler and Fredrick ‘Fred’ D. Redmond to continue serving as AFL-CIO President and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively.
“BAC is proud to congratulate Liz and Fred,” said President Driscoll. “Looking at President Shuler’s career, especially since taking office in August 2021, her
Elected AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond.
DISPLAYED THE FUTURE OF MASONRY
BAC had a booth in a key location near the convention hall. At the booth, visitors were able to see a demonstration of the MULE, take pictures with different trowels, and talk to BAC organizers and members about who we are and what the future of masonry looks like.
Brianna Coffer, member of BAC Local 1 PA/DE, demonstrating the MULE to convention attendees.
dedication to working families is clear. She is putting the wheels in motion so we can capitalize on the growing support of unions, especially with younger workers.”
“Brother Redmond is a strong champion for the rights of working men and women — committed to building our movement,” President Driscoll continued. “These labor leaders know how to motivate and unify workers from many different backgrounds. We will continue to organize and rise with them.” //
IU Regional Meetings: A Forum for Local and IU Leaders to Discuss Plans
This summer, the International Executive Board met separately with principal officers and staff from the five BAC regions at the annual Regional Meetings to report on the status of the union and to get feedback from the local/ADCs.
The Executive Board updated Local and ADC officers and their selected staff about multiple topics including organizing, safety, and the union’s financials. Participants were also briefed about political races and legislation, learned about new digital organizing and communication tools, and heard from the heads of IMI/IMTEF, IPF, and IHF.
“It was a pleasure to conduct this important business of the union in person again after three long years,” said President Driscoll. “Thank you to the principal officers in all the hosting cities for their hospitality.” //
BAC Local 3 New York Dedicates its Buffalo Training Center in Honor of Brother Donald Zimmer
On May 19, BAC Local 3 NY and its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee dedicated the local’s Buffalo training center as the Donald “Donnie” Zimmer Buffalo Chapter Training Center, in honor of the late Donald R. Zimmer. Brother Zimmer, a 64-year Gold Card member who passed away in October 2021, was a highly-regarded instructor and craftworker.
After graduating from McKinley Vocational High School in 1957, Brother Zimmer joined then-Local 45 NY at the age of 17 as an apprentice bricklayer. His talents and professionalism were quickly recognized; in short time, he was working as a foreman while still an apprentice. In 1959, he participated in the National Bricklayer Apprentice Championship competition in San Francisco, and was crowned National Champion.
From left: BAC Local 3 NY Southern Tier Chapter Apprentice Coordinator Karl Colburn, Local 3 Organizer Robert Sotir, Local 3 Secretary-Treasurer Jason ReQua, Buffalo Chapter Apprentice Coordinator Todd Flynn, Local 3 President Rick Williamson, CEO and President of IMI/IMTEF Caryn Halifax, BAC President Tim Driscoll, Northeast Regional Director Al Catalano, Rochester Chapter Apprentice Coordinator Rob Miller, Local 3 Vice President Frank Pietrowski, IMTEF National Director of Apprenticeship and Training Tony DiPerna, BAC Director of Collective Bargaining Mike Di Virgilio, IMI/IMTEF Iroquois Job Corp Instructor Robert Kelichner.
Back in Buffalo, he continued to develop his expertise – including taking engineering courses at the Erie Technical Institute. He became highly proficient with blueprints and laying out. During his career he became a skilled bricklayer, cement mason, stone mason, and marble mason. He worked on and supervised countless notable projects throughout the greater Western New York area and in Washington, DC, while also serving the union’s JATC for many years as a brick and blueprint instructor. Brother Zimmer was a highly respected and admired mentor to numerous BAC members, and his wisdom and guidance had a lasting effect. Many of his students went on to become foremen, instructors, and representatives for the union.
BAC Local 3 NY President Rick Williamson hosted the ceremony, and speakers included Andrew Hanrahan and Mike Di Virgilio,
Donald Zimmer being crowned as National Bricklayer Apprentice Champion by IU First Vice President William R. Connors. IU Secretary John Murphy and Daniel J. Higgins, Zimmer’s sponsor and chairman of the Buffalo apprenticeship committee, look on. (Higgins’ son, Brian Higgins, is currently US Representative for New York’s 26th congressional district.) Donald Zimmer in 1959 during the semi-finals of the national competition. both former students of Brother Zimmer; son-in-law Sean Bulger; BAC President Tim Driscoll; and a representative of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, who declared May 19, 2022 “Donald R. Zimmer Day” in the City of Buffalo.
“It was an honor to name the Buffalo Chapter Training Center in Donnie Zimmer’s memory,” said Rick Williamson. “He was the consummate bricklayer and union member. He was respected by all who worked with him and for him, apprentices and journeypersons alike. My hope is that his skillset and proficiency in the trade, his passion for teaching others, and his leadership amongst the membership will be instilled in all who pass through these doors.” //
BAC Blitzes J. Ginger
From August 9–12, International and West Region BAC organizers came together in the Los Angeles area for an organizing blitz targeting J. Ginger Masonry, one of the largest non-union mason contractors in the West. The years-long organizing drive is a multi-jurisdictional effort by Local 4 California, Local 3 California, and Local 3 Arizona (part of Mountain West ADC).
“Working as a team, from the top-down and bottom up, is how we are going to be successful at J. Ginger,” said Local 4 California President Lupe Aldaco, who hosted the blitz. “We are building relationships with the company executives as well as with the workers on the ground. We are showing both sides how the union works
BAC organizers in front of J. Ginger offices
to provide a good quality of life for the workers and help streamline operations and open doors for new work so the company prospers. Those relationships take time and perseverance. We just have to stick with it.”
During the blitz, organizers and members went to multiple locations with high intensity job actions and
personnel at job sites. Organizers reviewed tactics, spoke with workers, and came up with new campaign plans of action. They also put-up signs and inflatables, including Scabby, in front of J. Ginger and other subcontractor offices to alert the areas of their current anti-worker practices.
“During the blitz, we went to multiple J. Ginger projects throughout Southern California and made it clear to the contractor we are not going away,” said International Union Organizing Director Lou Padilla. “It is going to take all of us working together and supporting each other to convince J. Ginger that signing with the BAC is the right move for them.” //
BAC Organizers with two J. Ginger workers illegally fired for supporting the union
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US BATES SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Thanks to the 2022 US Bates Scholarship program, three college-bound students from BAC families will be receiving some financial assistance. Each year, BAC awards three scholarships to graduating seniors of parents or step-parents who are BAC members in the US. The stipends are $5,000 per year for up to four years — up to $20,000 total.
RACHAEL LALLY
Attending: Butler University Major: Pharmacy BAC parent: Thomas Lally, BAC Local 21 Illinois Q1: What does this recognition mean to you? To me, this recognition illustrates not only how much the BAC cares about its mem- BAC 2022 Bates Scholarship winner bers, but also how all my hard Rachael Lally and her father, BAC work throughout school has Local 21 IL member Thomas Lally. immensely paid off. Q2: What does the union mean to you and your family? The union is a blessing to me and my family. It gives my dad a sense of unity as well as security in the workplace. My family reaps the benefit of financial security, and my younger sister and I have been able to see what a good occupation looks like. Q3: What advice would you offer your peers and younger students? The best advice from me to peers and younger students is to find genuine enjoyment in whatever you’re doing. Having a sense of optimism makes activities that are seemingly difficult or tedious more meaningful; the result of this is better quality projects and overall mental health. Q4: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? The best piece of advice I have ever received is that everything happens for a reason. To most this sounds rather clichéd, but this advice has gotten me through a lot of tough times. Every experience has a lesson that can be utilized in the future. Q5: Who would you like to give a shout-out to? I would like to give a shout-out to my parents. My mom and dad have not only been role models to me, but also my friends. I owe much of my work ethic and sense of responsibility to them. They are my biggest supporters, and I don’t know where I would be without them.
IAN HARRINGTON
Attending: Denison University Major: Environmental Science BAC parent: Daniel Harrington, BAC Local 5 Ohio Q1: What does this recognition mean to you? This recognition is a culmination of all my hard work in high school. From taking IB to BAC 2022 Bates Scholarship winner Ian Harrington and his diversifying my college search father, BAC Local 5 Ohio member process, I was constantly stayDaniel Harrington. ing up late and waking up early to attain my goals. My top priority for choosing a college was to alleviate the financial burden from my parents’ shoulders — something that is not easily attained. For me, it was all about finding the balance of academic rigor and financial
security, which thankfully happened at Denison. Thus, this recognition is extremely significant to both me and my family. Q2: What does the union mean to you and your family? The union has been a significant factor in my family’s lives. The union gave my dad the opportunity to spend more time with his family, which is something every parent cherishes. I understand the weight my father had to carry being a bricklayer, and how his family could help relieve him of this weight. The union always supported my dad and us as a family, and that ultimately created a happy and loving household. Q3: What advice would you offer your peers and younger students? I always tell my younger sister to widen her horizons and to never give up on anything in life - from running cross country to completing a late-night project. I always struggled with this concept in high school. I was rejected from colleges, rejected from scholarships, but continued to work with as much heart and happiness as possible. After receiving this scholarship, I knew that the dedication paid off. If there was advice to give, I would say “embrace the struggle.” Q4: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? The best piece of advice I have ever received came from one of my high school teachers during my last semester. He told me to “live with love.” I was going through a rough patch, and I found that I was not giving love. However, after talking to my teacher about my struggles, he showed me that it does not take much to live with love, and now I do it every day. I remind my family and friends that I love them every single day, I give hugs when I can, and I am always open to having a conversation. Q5: Who would you like to give a shout-out to? I would like to give a shout-out my parents for pushing me to apply for this scholarship after I’ve already applied for so many others. I was not too confident in myself at the time. I would also like to thank my girlfriend Kerry who never stopped believing in me.
AVA MURRAY
Attending: Illinois State University Major: Business Administration Family/IU Info: Timothy Murray, Local 21 IL Q1: What does this recognition mean to you? This recognition means so much to me. I always knew continuing my education was in my future, but the cost of it scared me. Knowing that I have resources to support my future endeavors has greatly eased my worries, and I am so grateful it came from an organization that means so much to my family. Q2: What does the union mean to you and your family? The union has always been an important part of my family. We have generations of union workers who have helped my family grow to who we are now. They serve as a constant reminder to me that hard work truly pays off. Q3: What advice would you offer your peers and younger students? One piece of advice I would offer my peers is not to worry so much about what others think of you, as long as you’re happy and healthy you are doing the right thing. Q4: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? The best piece of advice I have ever received was that you create your own happiness. No matter my situation, this advice has reminded me to stay optimistic. Q5: Who would you like to give a shout-out to? I would like to give a shoutout to my parents for helping me become the person I am today and always showing me endless love. //
BAC 2022 Bates Scholarship winner Ava Murray with her parents.
