Allied Craft Committees Report Work Outlook is Good

If projections hold, members of the Allied Craft Committees expect 2001 to be another good year. Reporting at a series of meeting in February, Committee members from the U.S. and Canada noted that 2000 was a great year, and there’s sufficient work on the books to keep BAC members working through 2001. Committee members also discussed innovations and new materials in their crafts, health and safety issues, and new challenges.

Plaster & Cement—New Challengesand Opportunities

Attacks on BAC’s work jurisdiction by the Operative Plasters & Cement Masons International (OP&CMIA) were a major focus of the joint meeting of the Plaster and Cement Committees. The Committees discussed how these regrettable actions by leaders of the OP&CMIA put at risk the very craftworkers and crafts they claim to protect. By refusing to honor their historic jurisdictional arrangements with BAC, the OP&CMIA leadership has opened its door to raids by other unions, and played into the hands of the non-union by pitting one international union against another.

The OP&CMIA’s actions have already resulted in work being lost to at least two International Unions—the Painters and the Laborers. Closer to home, Committee members reported instances where the OP&CMIA has cut wages to attract contractors, and tried to get BAC members to sign representation cards so they can petition for a representation election and take away our members and contractors.

These actions by OP&CMIA leaders have forced BAC to:

• expand jurisdiction for plastering and cement finishing in all BAC Locals;
• take pre-emptive steps to counter petitions for representation elections; and
• actively organize all plaster and cement contractors and their employees in all regions.

The Committees agreed with the IU’s actions, and encouraged the IU Executive Board to continue to take all necessary steps. In turn, Committee members were told their support, as well as that of all BAC Locals, would be needed for BAC to win this battle.

Members of the Plaster and Cement Committees, front row, from left: Bob Bonnani, IMI A & T; BAC Executive Vice Presidents Dominic Spano and Jerry O’Malley; Bill Leslie, BAC Craft Director, Cement/Plaster; Terry Mariacher, 9 PA; Charlie Colo, 1 MI; Steve Bolognese, IMI Marketing. Middle row, from left: Richie Forcione, 3 MA; Dick Howard, IU Organizer; Henry Kramer, 74 IL; Greg Lobodzinski, 9 MI; Thomas Rhoades, 2 DE/NJ; Al Catalano, 2 NY; Owen Jones, WI ADC; Tim Palmeri, 1 CT. Third row, from left: Al DiRienzo, retired IU staff; Ted Henderson, 2 DE/NJ; Anthony LaTorre, 2 DE/NJ; Jim Darcy, IMI Marketing; Andy Gallante, 5 NY; Greg Hartseil, IMI Training; Mike Canavan, 1 FL; Keith Brault, 1 FL. [Not pictured: Larry Correa, 1 HI; Steve Shively, N. OH ADC]

Tile, Marble, Terrazzo—A Bright Future

Tile consumption enjoyed another strong year in 2000, reaching an estimated 2.4 billion square feet—more than double the low point hit in 1991. If projections hold, 2001 will be equally strong, according to reports from members of BAC’s Tile, Marble, and Terrazzo Committee. As one member of the Committee noted, “the outlook is good…unless Bush pulls the plug and energy prices get further out of control.”

On a more serious note, Committee members told guest presenter Dr. Shiro Tanaka, of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), that new epoxies being introduced on the job site could be making members sick. They urged NIOSH to investigate the health risks of these materials.

Members of the Tile, Marble, Terrazzo Craft Committee, front row, from left: Ed Miller, 25 IL; John Mason, BAC Craft Director, Mechanics; Bob Douglas, BAC Craft Director, Finishers; John DiVincenzo, 36 OH; Tom Spear, 3 CA. Second row, left: Paul Nagel, 87 IL; Dennis Spidle, 5 PA; Robert Wilson, 32 MI; Greg Waltz, 4 IN/KY; Dennis Becker, 1 WA; Tom McQuaid, 1 MD-VA-DC; Bill Michael, BAC Job Information Center. Third row, left: Frank O’Lone, 67 IL; Gary Goblirsch, 1 MN; George Pell, I PA/DE; Vincent Convertito, 1 CT; Jim Hunnius, 18 MO; Bob Perry, IMI A & T. [Not pictured: Chad Boggio, 18 CA; Ray Keen, 3 NV; Zane Miskiewicz, 66 IL]

PCC—A Focus on Safety

The Pointing, Cleaning, and Caulking Committee heard a preliminary report on the study of commercial grinders conducted by NIOSH at IMI’s National Training Center. Dr. William Heitbrink, a NIOSH Research Engineer, told Committee members that the purpose of the study was to determine the degree to which built-in ventilation systems in grinders can cut down on silica dust exposures during tuck pointing. He noted that preliminary results show that engineering controls can significantly reduce the hazard. “Eliminating the silica hazard facing our members is our major focus,” Executive Vice President Jerry O’Malley told the Committee. But until engineering controls are broadly available and used, proper respiratory protection is critical. William Meyers, Business Manager of Local 52 Illinois, reported on an innovative respiratory protection program developed by Local 52 in cooperation with its contractors, and funded through the Local’s promotional fund. Through the program, all members have the opportunity to:

• receive a medical evaluation on their ability to use a respirator;
• be properly fit tested for a respirator; and
• receive a free respirator.

Aside from healthier lungs, Local 52 members are enjoying other benefits, including fewer eye injuries from flying particles, and contractors are saving on workers compensation claims. “Both sides benefit,” says Meyers.

Members of the PCC Craft Committee, front row, from left: Fred Hultquist, WI ADC; Gary Goblirsch, 1 MN; Joe Stewart, BAC PCC Craft Director; Bill Meyers, 52 IL; Sid Lanzafame, 1 NY. Second row, left: Scott Cromwell, IMI Marketing; Joe Schonlau, 1 MO; John Fisher, 1 WA; Tony Kassman, IMI Safety Training; John Wurtenberg, 1 PA/DE. [Not pictured: Troy Garland, 3 CA; Chuck Raso, 3 MA]

Stone Recruitment is Key

Natural stone contractor Brett Rugo, of Rugo & Carosi LLC and a major player in the booming Washington, D.C. stone market, expressed concern over the shortage of skilled stone masons to meet both the labor demands of a growing market, and the exacting craft demands of precision stone installation. As a result, he’s had to turn away substantial work. “The work is there,” Rugo said, “but my biggest problem, our biggest problem, is how do we deal with recruitment?” Although Rugo doesn’t hold BAC responsible for the current labor drain, he says Union leaders and contractors must work together to be part of the solution. Committee members discussed a number of ways to expand the labor pool, such as utilizing the BAC Job Information Center, ensuring that stone training classes at IMI’s National Training Center are filled to capacity, and organizing traveling, non-union mechanics in the southeast.

Rugo’s resolve to stay Union and support of strong apprenticeship and training programs are fueled in part by his understanding of the skills required for quality stone work, and by personal experience. He went to work in the trade at age 16 in Boston. Now, at 36, “I’m doing what I want to do,” Rugo says, and plans to work for another 30 years. His openness to working with Local officers to try new recruiting methods earned Rugo high marks from Committee members. One member was so impressed by Rugo’s pro-union stance and cooperative problem-solving, that he respectfully requested a DNA sample, “so we can clone you.”

Members of the Stone Craft Committee, front row, from left: Joe Ramagano, 1 PA/DE; BAC Executive Vice President Jerry O’Malley; Glenn (Deeter) Garmen, 5 PA; Butch Rovder, BAC Craft Director, Stone; John Bachenski, IMI Marketing. Second row, left, Dave Jackson, 3 CA; Ed Navarro, 5 OK/AR; Juan Sampedro, 1 MD-VA-DC; John Thompson, 21 IL; Sid Lanzafame, 1 NY; Matt Redabaugh, IMI A & T; Tim Driscoll, BAC Trade Jurisdiction Director. [Not pictured: Nelson McMath, 9 MI]