Outstanding BAC Craftsmanship
Edward P. Barletta - Stone Mason
Local 5 Pennsylvania

Brother Ed Barletta joined former Local 18 Pennsylvania in 1988. By 1992, he was a journey-level member recognized for his skill and talent.

Today, this 19-year member of Local 5 Pennsylvania, employed by J.J. Palumbo Co., works as a mason as well as a foreman. Handling the extra responsibilities of foreman – such as directing manpower, scheduling work, ensuring quality control, and ordering supplies and materials – has not affected his personal performance on the job.

Recent examples of his fine craftsmanship can be seen at the 2006 award-winning Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, Pennsylvania, and at Wilkes Barre/Scranton International Airport in Avoca. Brother Barletta’s other projects include Sanofi Pastour Pharmaceutical in Swiftwater; Lackawanna County Courthouse and Marywood University in Scranton; Glen Oak Country Club in Clarks Summit; and the Hotel Fauchère in Milford.

The combination of his superior skill, leadership, and dedication has made Brother Barletta a true credit to Local 5.

Outstanding Public Service by an Individual
Brett Gierak - Bridges to Community, Nicaragua Trip
Local 1 Michigan

Public service can begin at any age as demonstrated by the work of Brother Brett Gierak. Joining Local 1 in July of 2001, Brother Gierak participated in the BAC Irish Exchange Program as an apprentice and achieved journey-level status in 2004. It didn’t take him long to realize that his bricklaying skills could help others. In February 2007, he became involved in Bridges to Community, a nonprofit group that places volunteers in developing countries to work and learn.

Along with other skilled volunteers, Gierak spent the week pouring foundations for homes, laying block at the local community center, and working on agricultural projects.

Brother Gierak returned from this trip with a profound understanding of the daily struggles facing third-world communities. Noting the lack of unions and limited electricity for labor-intensive tasks, he described his Nicaragua trip as “an eye-opening experience to see firsthand the benefits of BAC membership.”

Brother Gierak truly understands the necessity of giving one’s time and skill to make the world a better place. Not only does he make a difference in Michigan; he makes a difference around the world.

Outstanding Public Service by a Local Union
Local 1 Connecticut
North Haven High School Field House

Local 1 Connecticut and the International Masonry Institute (IMI)have a longstanding relationship with the City of New Haven. Many project labor agreements have been negotiated between the city and the Union, so it seemed only fitting that when North Haven High School was in need of a new field house, Local 1 and IMI stepped up to the plate.

Both Local 1 and IMI donated time and labor to the project’s planning and construction. Local 1 President Gerry Marotti, Vice Presidents Tim Palmeri, Todd Dexter, Ed Hackett and Ed Moavero, along with IMI Training Coordinator Tony Pacific, Instructor John Falkowski, Director of Market Development and Technical Services Richard Filloramo, and a team of apprentices all contributed to the project’s completion.

In five days, seven apprentices, working for Brayman Hollow Masonry, Inc. of Hartford, built the 818 square-foot facility, which houses a concession stand, a storage room, restrooms and a utility closet. The project called for 1,200 ground face CMU for the exterior and 1,100 interior CMU. A total of 197 hours and more than $16,000 in materials and labor were donated for the benefit of North Haven High School students.

Outstanding Union Service by an Individual
Robert Fozio, Director
Ohio Administrative District Council

Brother Robert Fozio has given much to making BAC a stronger, better Union. Joining Local 5 Ohio in 1963, he soon perfected his crafts as a bricklayer, cement mason, marble mason and plasterer. His leadership ability was recognized when he became the Director of the Northern Ohio Administrative District Council, now the Ohio Administrative District Council.

Throughout the years, Brother Fozio has provided an intense level of energy, creativity, and insight to the Union. Early on, he recognized the power of a unified approach to bargaining by negotiating a statewide commercial collective bargaining agreement, which allowed contractors greater mobility within the state. At the same time, he saw the residential market’s potential in Ohio and negotiated a statewide residential collective bargaining agreement for this untapped market. He also developed a Market Share Advancement Program to help Union contractors level the playing field when competing against cut-rate non-union contractors.

Understanding the importance of strict and even-handed enforcement of the collective bargaining agreements, Brother Fozio ensured these agreements would be implemented through arbitration and litigation, if necessary, increasing work opportunities for his members and signatory contractors.

Acknowledging that training is key to maintaining the BAC advantage, Brother Fozio developed a plan to centralize training by merging 10 separate Joint Apprenticeship and Training Programs throughout northern Ohio and creating a new state-of-the-art training center.

His Union service does not end at the ADC or Local level. Brother Fozio has a consistent record of helping officers in other Locals, and serves on numerous committees at the International level. He is a member of the IU Executive Council, and a member of several committees, including the Code of Conduct Committee and Health Care Task Force. He is also a trustee of the ADC’s health and welfare and pension funds, and serves as a first vice president on the Executive Board of the State of Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council.

Brother Fozio has passionately devoted himself to the masonry industry, the labor movement, the International, and most importantly, to his members.

Outstanding Union Service by a Local Union
Local 4 Indiana/Kentucky - Tile Partners for Humanity

Working with “Tile Partners for Humanity,” an affiliate of “Habitat for Humanity,” Local 4 has donated considerable time and effort to rebuild and restore homes in and around Indianapolis. In a single day, Local 4’s “Tile Partners” donated upwards of $5,000 in labor costs to the construction of a dozen homes.

Nineteen tile, marble, and terrazzo apprentices from the Local’s “Zone II” worked on the project under the guidance of Apprentice Coordinator Greg Waltz and Instructor Scott Woolridge. They were charged with installing 200 square feet of 18x18 ceramic tile within each home’s bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and entryway.

Everyone benefited from this endeavor.Participating Local 4 apprentices not only took great pride in their work, but came to recognize they were not simply helping to build a new home, they were helping to give a deserving family a new beginning. As Waltz observed, “Their contributions build relationships and let the community know that the Union cares about these homeowners.”

John B. Scola Outstanding Instructor Award
Mark Graf, IMI Instructor
Wisconsin Administrative District Council

Brother Mark Graf, a member of Local 13 Wisconsin, joined BAC in 1987, working as a bricklayer and foreman. In 1997, he became a masonry instructor for Southwest Technical College in Wisconsin, where he developed their masonry curriculum and taught for four years.
In 2001, when the Administrative District Council acquired new space for a training center, Brother Graf was selected for the teaching position from a pool of 20 applicants.

In quick order, he offered the International Masonry Institute’s (IMI) 12-week pre-job training courses and developed curriculums and training programs for all levels, from pre-job to 3rd year-apprentice programs to Advanced Masonry Training. As an instructor, Brother Graf consistently goes the extra mile for his students, taking a personal interest in their training. It is not uncommon to find Brother Graf at the Training Center by 6am and leaving as late as 9pm.

Brother Graf is a certified trowel trades instructor, an OSHA Outreach instructor, and a Red Cross First Aid instructor. Among his proudest accomplishments is completing the rigorous IMI Instructor Certification Program in 2005. He also developed an overall skills evaluation for non-union masons interested in joining BAC.

Brother Graf is a true asset to the Wisconsin Administrative District Council, BAC and IMI. Today, the training center and programs that benefit Wisconsin members reflect his responsiveness to the membership and the changing needs of the masonry industry.

Outstanding Local Union Officer
Terry Mariacher - Executive Vice President
Local 9 Pennsylvania

As Executive Vice President of Local 9, Brother Terry Mariacher exemplifies the qualities that make an outstanding Local Union Officer. A 39-year member, he completed his apprenticeship in 1968, and later was elected to the Apprenticeship Committee and served as an instructor. In addition to his current office, he has served in many other leadership positions, including treasurer, business manager, field representative, and as a trustee for the Local’s health and welfare and pension funds. An avid organizer, at last count he has personally brought 426 new members and contractors into the Union.

Brother Mariacher has played a role in the Local’s collective bargaining activities since becoming a journey-level member and, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in labor studies, added greater effectiveness to the Local’s Negotiating Committee. He assisted in the merger of five pension funds into two, helped two chapters without pension coverage to join an existing fund, and merged three welfare funds into one, which resulted in improved medical benefits, plan choices and prescription coverage for participants.

His strong focus on job safety included coordinating an early effort to offer asbestosis testing to Local members. When 50 percent tested positive, Brother Mariacher assisted in the class action lawsuit that won settlements for current and retired members.

Brother Mariacher also plays an important role in the community. He was instrumental in establishing the School Business Partnership, a program directed by school districts, local businesses and the building trades, which helps prepare students for the workforce. In addition, he has organized voter registration drives for union families and volunteered at polling places.

Brother Mariacher is known throughout Local 9 and BAC for his honesty and dedication, and has proven himself to be a pragmatic and influential leader of the labor movement.