[ En Español ]

JOHN J. FLYNN President International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers .............................

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