Masonry Magazine July 2005 Page. 48
News
Brazos Masonry President and Owner, says, "I can't say enough about the quality of their work and their work ethic."
When Brazos turned to BAC for help recruiting and training workers for a performing arts center in Amarillo and a Texas Tech residence hall in Lubbock, the union rode to the rescue - literally - by dispatching its new Mobile Training Units to those job sites. The mobile units "turned unskilled workers into well-trained, highly skilled bricklayers," Bounds says. They also brought invaluable training and job skills to area residents of Amarillo and Lubbock that will outlast the projects.
The mobile units allow for in-class, state-of-the-art instruction on a full range of topics, including new materials, job site safety and journey-level upgrade courses. They complement BAC's existing network of local, regional and national training centers and programs, operated in partnership with the International Masonry Institute (IMI), its labor/management training and marketing arm. BAC represents 100,000 skilled masonry workers in the United States and Canada.
After Amarillo and Lubbock, the mobile training units will move throughout the region. Due to their initial success, BAC plans to launch more training units in the coming months.
"They are creating new opportunities for our members not only in Texas, but around the country," says BAC President John J. Flynn, who notes that the cooperative partnership "will expand work opportunities for Brazos Masonry" as well.
Ed Navarro, President of BAC Local 5 Oklahoma/Arkansas/Texas, with whom Brazos signed the labor agreement, adds that such training innovations benefit masonry in general.
"Training is the way we can keep our members competitive, and ensure that the art of masonry survives in this age of automation and new materials," Navarro says. He credits the commitment of Brazos Masonry for making the project a success.
Says BAC President Flynn, "We welcome Brazos Masonry's commitment to the labor-management process."
BAC Irish Exchange program
"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends." - Pat Conroy
That is certainly true for a lucky group of apprentices from America and Ireland, who were chosen to launch the U.S.-Ireland masonry apprentice exchange program of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC).
In the summer of 2004, two American BAC apprentices, Brett Gierak from BAC Local 1 MI and Brian Karas from Local 21 IL, kicked off the program by spending three months in Dublin, under the auspices of the Building and Allied Trades Union (BATU), which is dominated by the masonry trade.
This spring brought two Irish apprentices, Brian Walsh from Dublin and David White from Kilkenny, to the U.S. Walsh is working with Leidal & Hart Masonry Contractors in Livonia, Mich, under the supervision of BAC/IMI Training Coordinator Jack Love. White is working for Szabo Masonry in Des Plains, III., under the supervision of Andy Gasca at the BAC/IMI District Council Training Center.
Save the Date:
2006 Masonry Showcase!
Colin Faul
Director of Marketing, Mason Contractors Association of America
After a very successful show in Chicago with its new partner the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) at Construct America", the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is very excited to return to Las Vegas for its 2006 Masonry Showcase.
MCAA saw a 45% increase in mason contractor attendance at this year's show in Chicago and, coupled with its new partnership, the Association is looking to push that percentage even further with solid education programs and over 70,000 square feet of exhibits.
The draw of Las Vegas as a #1 convention destination will prove that Masonry Showcase and Construct America will be a must-attend event for 2006. It will also be the only show in Las Vegas with the sole focus of supporting the masonry industry.
Programming is under way, and exhibit sales are off to a brisk start. Make sure to visit www.masonryshowcase.com for further information on schedules of events, hotel information and important education programs being held at the 2006 Masonry Showcase at Construct America.
MCAA looks forward to seeing you all March 28-31, 2006, in Vegas at the only show supporting the advancement of the masonry industry!