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JOHN
J. FLYNN
President
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
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January 2005
The end of a year is a good time to reflect on the
many positive contributions of our members and Union
during the last twelve months. A quick review of past
Journals tells the story of members building some of
the most high profile projects in their communities
– the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.,
the Miami Performing Arts Center, and Bowery Professional
Building at the Children’s Hospital in Akron,
Ohio are just a few examples. In each issue, we learned
about the accomplishments of our apprentices and the
reflections of loyal retirees. IMI kept us updated on
new product trends and work opportunities, and our international
funds and programs alerted us to new rules, benefits,
and services. We learned what each of us could do on
an individual basis to help protect our jobs and way
of life, and we saw the largest level of member involvement
in the political process in many years. We were also
provided with a sobering reminder that many of our members
or their children are far from home in Iraq and Afghanistan
bravely protecting the freedoms we cherish. All in all,
a walk through our past issues underscores what we all
feel, “What a year!”
One of the most positive things that came out of 2004,
which will benefit us as we move forward into the New
Year, is a renewed sense of unity within our Union that
is carrying over to the jobsite, our organizing campaigns,
our union halls, and our daily lives. Instead of dwelling
on “what’s wrong with our Union,”
we are hearing more and more from members and their
families about “what’s right with our Union,”
and this positive feeling is attracting the attention
of non-union contractors and craftworkers, as well as
producers of new materials, builders and architects.
The strong response we’ve already had to a new
feature on our website, “Become a Member,”
is a prime example of interest in our Union. This feature
generated more than 200 requests from individuals interested
in joining BAC in its first two months live. In this
issue of the Journal, you’ll learn about two manufacturers
of masonry products that are partnering with IMI and
BAC because they view us as a union of the future.
As we move forward into 2005, we are well positioned
to seize new opportunities and meet any challenge head-on.
With our strategic plan, the Millennium Morning Project,
completed we know the path we need to follow to keep
our Union strong. Most importantly, we have learned
the importance of standing together as one Union of
skilled trowel trades craftworkers – together
there’s no challenge, big or small, that we can’t
meet.
On behalf of the IU Executive Board we wish all our
members and their families a safe, healthy and prosperous
New 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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