The Best Endure
President
JOURNAL: ISSUE 4 - 2014
As unparalleled “keepers of the craft,” BAC members take enormous pride – and justifiably so – in the preservation and conservancy of the skilled trowel trades. That commitment and pride is at the very heart of why BAC is the oldest, continuously operating trade union in North America.
Chronicling that proud history every step of the way has been our official member publication, the Journal. From the founding of the International just months after the Civil War, through tough times and more prosperous ones, the Journal has traced our Union’s efforts to represent all craftworkers who ply the trowel and the industry trends that impact our work.
The Journal has also served as an important bridge to BAC’s ever-changing membership. Today, you’ll find a Spanish translation of this message on Page 2 and articles in French on Page 21 (and more online) for the benefit of Spanish-speaking and French-speaking members respectively. For decades beginning just before 1900, the printed Journal featured translations in Italian and German as well as French.
It is precisely the strong sense of Union solidarity and pride in craft shared by all members that has made our Union, and by extension, the Journal, so enduring.
More than a century ago, a December 1898 Journal message petitioned members to “Give to all, even though your gifts [may] be small, give to all. You will feel better and won’t regret it…let there be a spirit of charity prevail in your hearts… Prepare yourselves to enter into the spirit of the New Year with good resolutions and purposes.”
BAC members must have been paying close attention because over the years, you and our predecessors have created a culture of selfless civic service that is the equal of any organization inside or outside the house of labor. It is a particular pleasure to showcase our members’ contributions to their communities during this special season of giving (in “BAC Service”, page 16).
On behalf of the IU Executive Board, we thank you for all you have done to keep our Union strong and united and extend our fraternal best wishes to you and yours for a joyous holiday season and happy and healthy 2015.