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JOHN
J. FLYNN
President
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
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August - September 2002
There are several important dates this fall for BAC members
and their families. On Labor Day, union-sponsored events
commemorate those who struggled and fought for the rights
we enjoy today — joining a union, working under safe
conditions, and receiving fair wages for a day’s
work. This year’s Labor Day should also serve as
a reminder that the struggle is not over. Within the Bush
Administration and Congress, there are many who would like
to rescind the very laws that protect working men and women,
and replace them with laws and policies that benefit the
types of corporate executives that we’ve heard so
much about in recent months. It is up to each of us to
use our political clout as voters on November 5th to replace
those “corporate friendly” politicians with “working
family friendly” leaders.
September 15 marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month,
which runs through mid-October. During this period, communities
and Hispanic-Americans, including many BAC members, will
celebrate their proud history and traditions.
Last, this is the one-year anniversary of the September
11th attacks that took the lives of thousands of innocent
people. We shouldn’t wait for an anniversary, however,
to remember those who lost their lives; the bravery of
those workers — many of them union members — who
rushed into the buildings to save others; those who helped
with the rescue, clean-up, and rebuilding effort; and our
military personnel who are willing to sacrifice their lives
to defend our freedom.
BAC members — American and Canadian — are
fortunate to live in free societies. We are fortunate to
have the right to join unions and bargain collectively.
These are freedoms worth remembering and defending not
just on special holidays and anniversaries — but
every day.
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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