One Member's Appreciation for the Union

Willie Howard, Local 35 Ohio, Campobello, SC

I received my Bricklayers publication this month and, as always, enjoyed the articles very much. I particularly took notice of the ad asking to hear from members on how the Union has affected our lives and families. I am hoping to tell you how much appreciation I have for all the many years that I have been associated with the BAC.

I first joined a union in 1954 while in Indiana. In 1959 I joined the Bricklayers Union, and I’ve been a member ever since. I was a pointer/ cleaner/caulker and cement mason until I retired in 1985.

Over the years I was fortunate enough to have been a foreman on most all jobs that I worked, and to have over 3,000 good men apprentice under my supervision, all becoming skilled in the trade of bricklaying and masonry.

I worked in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, and Florida. Because of the work made available to me through the BAC, I was able to bring into the Union two brothers, two sons, two nephews, cousins, in-laws and countless others. I say this because of the many people who found work through the efforts of the Union. This was a blessing for a lot of families, as well as helping me raise five children.

I worked for Everett S. Kirk, Detzel, Snook, Knolton, International Maintenance, General Maintenance & Engineering, then from 1962 to 1985 for V.O. Tilton.

Through the years I was in the Painters, the Laborers, Cement Masons, Electricians, and Roofers, but the BAC did more for me and taught me more than all the others put together. It has been a great pleasure and privilege to have been associated with the Bricklayers Union for more than 35 great years. I am 80 years young and still recruiting.

Thank you for standing beside my family and me for so many years. Keep up the good work.