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JOHN J. FLYNN
President
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
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Issue 5 - 2006
In the months leading up to the November election, the call went out to all U.S. members to become informed about the issues, talk to their friends and family, volunteer for get-out-the-vote efforts, and most importantly, to vote. In a confidential, independent, survey leading up to the election (but prior to the Foley scandal), BAC voters were asked to weigh-in on the issues and the election:
- 69% of the members surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the country.
- 62% said they disapprove of President Bush’s performance and 56% said they were less likely to vote for one of his supporters.
- Top election issues were the economy
and jobs, health care, the war in Iraq, and Social Security.
Members’ responses mirrored the discontent of the general electorate. This election demonstrated that each individual can make a difference by exercising their right to vote. Across the country, BAC apprentices, journey-level members, officers and retirees responded. As a result of their efforts, labor enjoyed a long-overdue win.
On the heels of Kentucky River (see article), the most anti-union decision in recent history, BAC members and working families in this country sent a message to the White House that they have had enough. With this election, we took a positive step toward narrowing the gap that has developed during the last six years between the very rich and the poor, restoring a strong middle class, and returning America to a society where the child of a waitress, a teacher, – or a bricklayer, a tilesetter, or any BAC member – could one day sit in the Oval Office. We took a positive step toward restoring the American dream and taking back our country for working families. This issue of the Journal showcases BAC’s election effort with pictures of members, officers, friends and family in the field campaigning for candidates who understand the issues of concern to working families (see article).
The mid-term election has not been the Union’s only area of focus. In October Local officers and benefit fund trustees attended meetings to learn more about protecting members’ records, using technology to improve Local Union operations, and improving member benefits. At the Trowel Trades Trust Fund Educational Conference co-sponsored by BAC and the International Council of Employers of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (ICE), attendees were introduced to the proposed BAC Health Care Purchasing Coalition designed to rein in health care costs without cutting benefits. They were also brought up to speed on the electronic system ‘ERTS’ that allows members traveling for work to receive credit for their contributions in a more timely manner, and were reminded of the many pension investment opportunities that not only produce solid returns but create jobs for BAC members (see article).
Members’ and officers’ involvement has made all of us on the Executive Board proud to be your representatives. Our thanks to all those members who volunteered in the months and weeks leading up to the election, to members and their families who made the effort to vote, and to our officers who each day do their part to make sure our members are represented and their concerns heard.
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
620 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
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