[ En Español ]
[ En Français ]
 |
JOHN J. FLYNN
President
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
............................. |
Issue 3 - 2007
In 1932, an article ran in the Journal announcing the purchase of the “Magnificent Smith Building at Trustee Sale at Bargain Price” and well below the assessed value. At the time, the purchase was “rated among real estate men in Washington as one of the most advantageous in recent months…its ideal location and its unusual value make it a prize in every sense of the word.” This building, which was later renamed the “Bowen Building” after BAC President William J. Bowen, served as the Union’s headquarters until 2001 when the IU sold it for a profit and began the search for a new home.
Roughly 75 years later, we proudly opened the doors of our new headquarters, built by our members and signatory contractors from the finest masonry materials. Following the prudent tradition started by then President Bowen, our new building is considered prime Washington, D.C. real estate, and will be both a home and ongoing source of revenue for our Union. (See article).
The members that worked on the new headquarters produced the highest quality work and, in doing so, created the best advertisement for our members, the materials we work with, and our Union. I know that I speak on behalf of the Executive Board and all of our members in extending special thanks for the effort they put forth to once again prove that BAC members are the “Best Hands in the Business.”
Another group of members that deserve our thanks are those who, when called up for military service, put their tools aside and took up another cause to make us proud. These brave members are experiencing conditions that few of us can imagine. Until they all safely return, I’d ask that you keep them, as well as all service men and women, in your thoughts and prayers.
PA/DE 1’s Iannarelli – Serving the Union and Country
 BAC member Gregory M. Iannarelli, a 17-year member of Local 1 and
a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve returned home from duty in the mountains of Afghanistan in June. While in Afghanistan, Brother Iannarelli worked side-by-side with the Army’s 10th mountain division and the 82nd Airborne. During his deployment, he was involved with all air drop missions. For troops down range, he led a 12-man team on a tough 12- to 14-hour day schedule to ensure the troops were never short “on beans, Band-Aids and bullets.”
This was not the first time Brother Iannarelli responded to his country’s call to serve. In 2004, he was deployed to the border of Kuwait where he worked hand-in-hand with the U.S. Marines. A former Marine, Brother Iannarelli joined the Corps as an infantryman in 1980, and in 1986 was selected to join the elite Embassy Guard program. His first combat posts were in El Salvador and Honduras.
Brother Iannarelli says he is very proud to serve our great country and wants to thank BAC for its great support. “I know it’s a daily struggle in our business and we have a great bunch of hard working down and dirty guys just trying to get eight hours,” says Iannarelli. While he’s met many dedicated and “down right good military men,” he says that he has met equally good men in the trades and enjoys the camaraderie of his fellow stone masons. Local 1 and the rest of the Union are proud to welcome home this good Union member and serviceman. |
Reminder for members called up for service: In order to receive the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) credited service under the International Pension Fund, and to be exempted from paying IU dues while serving, please send a copy of your Orders and eventually, your Discharge Papers, to your Local.
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
|