Building & Construction Trades Council of Alameda County's 51st Annual Holiday Luncheon Tribute Book

Friday, December 5, 2025

Oakland City Center Marriott

Welcome to our 51st Annual Holiday Luncheon!

It is with both joy and resolve that we greet you today, knowing that this year has too often left us feeling like balls in a pinball machine – whacked from one issue to the next and often without enough time for reflection and strategy. We are in the fight for our democracy and to keep our community members safe when authoritarianism gets a stronger grip on our nation’s leaders.

So, what do we celebrate today? First and again, we celebrate that we are in community with you. Our affiliates leaders, members, friends, allies, and partners. You are here from all sectors of the Alameda County – elected, government, private, individuals, and organizations. We may not always agree on how to get to the finish line, but our finish line is one that embraces inclusivity and the strength of diversity.

Twelve months ago, we could see the writing on the wall, the presidential administration held nothing back, we just may have hoped for a tempering of what we heard, as we had seen during Trump I. There have been no holds barred, however, and even with funding cuts for renewable energy projects and funding cuts for the infrastructure bill that promised many of good paying union jobs for many years, we are regrouping and looking at how we keep our members working. When our members work, communities thrive.

So, let’s pause and celebrate:

X – Action 1 (“passage of prop 50?!??!”)

Y – Action 2

Z – Action 3

And, let’s continue to learn the lessons of the 2024 election -that we cannot be complacent. That we must show people that MAGA does nothing for anyone but the 1% of the top 1% in our nation. What about the 99.9% of us? We want what was promised to us – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – not at the expense of others but in concert with and to benefit each and every one of us. It is not heresy, it is in our nation’s founding documents. We must reclaim that which is ours. All of ours.

So, today, enjoy our return to the lunch hour to start the holiday season together -with good food, friends, and conversation. The call to action will continue in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Democracy is not a given. It requires that each of stay engaged. You can count on our Council to be with you!

Thank you!

In solidarity,

Greg Bonato, President Andreas Cluver, Secretary-Treasurer

UNION REP

ORGANIZER

JOURNEYMAN

Local business partnerships

Bringing energy to our community

Partners energize each other’s efforts to achieve common goals. That’s why PG&E actively reaches out to local business in the community. We believe it’s just as important to bring energy to a community through our partnerships as it is through our power lines.