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JOHN
J. FLYNN
President
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
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December 2001
The start of a New Year is a good time to reflect on the
year ending and plan for the year ahead. None of us will
forget 2001. It was a defining year in world history. Ten,
fifteen, twenty years from now we will be telling the story
of where we were when the terrorists struck. But hopefully,
we will also recount the many good things that happened
for which we can be proud and thankful.
As we close out 2001, our membership strength is at its
highest level in years, work hours remain strong, and members
are earning well-deserved wage and benefit increases. During
the year, we welcomed many talented apprentices and other
established craftworkers into our Union.
In addition, we saw our members come together to help
their brothers and sisters in other unions.
In many respects, the geographic boundaries that separate our Locals came down
during the year. In the aftermath of September 11th, there was an outpouring
of support for the victims from our members and their families. BAC members
were among the first to offer on-site help at Ground Zero, and many members
have put in long hours helping with the recovery and rebuilding process. Still
more Locals and members in the U.S. and Canada offered financial and other
forms of support to the victims and their families. It is that sense of concern
for our fellow workers that has held the labor movement together for generations,
and makes us all proud to be "union." To all of our members that
responded to the calls for help, you have my deepest thanks.
This Journal showcases many others that represent the "best" of
BAC during 2001. On September 9th, the winners of the 2001
BAC Craft Awards were honored. In this last issue of the
year, we recognize the winners for their contributions
to our crafts, the Union, and communities during the year.
The New Year ahead will once again offer us many opportunities
and challenges. We're ready. Thanks to efforts by IMI and
our Locals, we have strong programs to actively promote
masonry work, and state-of-the-art training programs designed
to keep BAC members the "best hands" in the industry.
We have a solid membership, and knowledgeable and dedicated
officers. I can't think of a better position to be in as
we enter 2002.
Best of all, the year ahead offers us all the opportunity
to renew our commitment to friends, family, our country,
and our Union. On behalf of the IU Executive Board, I wish
you and your families peace, health, and happiness this
year.
If you have ideas for stories or issues of concern, let
us know by emailing us at askbac@bacweb.org or
writing to:
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied
Craftworkers
Attention: Communications Department
1776 Eye Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
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