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JOHN J. FLYNN
President
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
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Issue 2 - 2007
In the spring and early summer, high schools hold their graduation ceremonies. It is an exciting time for the graduates as they look to the future and begin to map their paths to success. For some, college is the path they need to take to reach their goals. Others cannot wait to get their first job and learn more about life. For another group, their path is a BAC apprenticeship program.
Our apprenticeship programs offer these high school graduates a chance to have the best of both paths – a chance to learn, while they earn. A chance to learn and apply a set of skills that can be used anywhere in the world. A guarantee of a pay-scale that increases as their skill-level expands. An opportunity to receive training, which can lead to a successful career as a journey-level craftworker, foreman, instructor, union leader, or contractor depending on an individual’s goal.
"Anyone who has ever worked with a BAC member will tell you that we are a competitive bunch who take pride in our crafts to a whole new level. Our Local, Regional and International Apprentice Contests bring this competitive instinct and pride together in a celebration of our members and Union."
This spring and summer those individuals who chose a path with BAC will be gearing up for the 2007 International Apprentice Contest, scheduled for September. Throughout the U.S. and Canada, BAC apprentices will be competing in rigorous Local and Regional competitions to see who will make it to the final competition at the new BAC/IMI National Training Center (See article). This is an exciting time for everyone in the Union.
To allow more members, contractors and the public to share in the Contest, as well as the events leading up to it, we will be using the Journal and our website, www.bacweb.org, to showcase Local and Regional Contests, and finally the International Contest.
Anyone who has ever worked with a BAC member will tell you that we are a competitive bunch who take pride in our crafts to a whole new level. Our Local, Regional and International Apprentice Contests bring this competitive instinct and pride together in a celebration of our members and Union.
This is our time to pay tribute to all of those men and women who chose BAC as the path to their futures and success, and to support all of the apprentices competing for a spot in the International Contest. I tip my trowel to all of you. Good luck in the competitions!
Brother Hughes, a Gold Card member since 2001, recently wrote:
My home had a lot of damage from Hurricane Rita. The [BAC] Disaster Relief Fund set up by our International was truly a relief to my family. The money enabled us to finish our repairs before the Holidays [in] ’06.
We appreciate our union.
With thankful and personal regards,
Con Roy Hughes, Jr.
Local 5 Oklahoma/Arkansas/Texas
| Share Your Story with BAC |
Please send pictures about a past or present job you have worked on, and stories about how your BAC membership benefits you and your family, to:
BAC – Communications Department
620 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004 |
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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