Executive Council Meets in Detroit

JOURNAL: ISSUE 4 - 2014

From left, BAC Secretary-Treasurer Henry Kramer, Local 3 MA/ME/NH/RI member Sean Barrett, whose career as a terrazzo mechanic was suspended due to the effects of silica exposure, and Local 2 MI Apprentice Coordinator Tom Ward, whose father died of silica disease at age 39.

On the precipice of an inspiring urban revival, the City of Detroit provided a historic backdrop for the fall meeting of the BAC Executive Council in September. Council members discussed a wide range of issues, including policies related to job creation and the impact of the upcoming midterm elections on jobs, the pending issuance by OSHA of a final rule on the proposed silica standard, how U.S. tax and fiscal policies entitle the wealthy while depressing wages for most Americans, IMI and International benefit fund updates, and advances in state responsible contracting laws.

Former New York Times reporter and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston signs his latest book, Divided: The Perils of Our Growing Inequality, for Local 3 MA/ME/NH/RI President Chuck Raso.

organizing challenges and opportunities in the South.

With respect to the pending silica standard (see “Silica Update,” page 22), a panel of BAC members that included Dale McNabb and Tom Ward of Local 2 MI, Tommy Todd of Local 5 OK/AK/TX, and Sean Barrett of Local 3 MA/ME/NH/RI offered highly personal accounts of the impact of silica exposure on their careers, family members and fellow members. In the Council audience were guests of the International who had been selected from among BAC members that signed BAC’s online petition in support of a stronger silica standard: Julius Krunszyinsky of Local 9 Pennsylvania and Joseph Matunas of Local 4 Indiana/Kentucky.

BAC Executive Vice President Gerard Scarano reported that BAC filed its post-hearing brief to OSHA on August 18th and looks forward to the final rule issuance in the coming months.

BAC Secretary-Treasurer Henry Kramer, center, receives his BAC 40-year service award at the Executive Council Meeting, courtesy of ADC 1 of IL President James Allen, left, and BAC Executive Vice President Gerard Scarano.

At the BIM for Masonry technology workshop, from left, BAC President James Boland, IMTEF National Apprenticeship and Training Director Bob Arnold, BAC Secretary- Treasurer Henry Kramer, and Collective Bargaining Services Director Michael Di Virgilio.	Retired Council Regional Vice President and Local 3 MA/ME/NH/RI Executive Vice President Richie Forcione, center, is presented with his distinguished service plaque. From left, BAC Executive Vice President Gerard Scarano, Brother Forcione, and BAC Secretary-Treasurer Henry Kramer.
Recently retired Council member and Local 1 NY Vice President Zacharias Winbush, second from left, was honored in Detroit. From left, BAC Executive Vice President Gerard Scarano, Brother Winbush, Local 1 NY President Jerry Sullivan, Jr. and Secretary-Treasurer Jack Argila.	Retired BAC Tile/Marble/Terrazzo Craft Director and previous Executive Council Tilesetters Craft Vice President John Mason, center, was also honored for his Council service and contributions to the tile industry. From left, BAC Executive Vice President Gerard Scarano, Brother Mason, and BAC Secretary-Treasurer Henry Kramer.