How IMI Influences Use of BAC Labor: A Year in Review of Key Programs

IMI works on behalf of BAC craftworkers and signatory contractors to educate and empower the design and construction community to build with union masonry and tile. Here’s a look at some of IMI’s activities in 2024 that influence the use of BAC-installed materials on projects.

EDUCATING DESIGNERS AND PROVIDING PROJECT SUPPORT

IMI delivered over 200 webinars and seminars this year, reaching over 7,000 designers working for top architecture and engineering firms who set design trends. Firms included Gensler; Perkins and Will; HDR; AECOM; HOK; Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill; Stantec, and countless others.

Attendees ranged from principals and presidents to architects and engineers, representing key players across the design and construction process. Many reach out for support following an IMI educational event, providing the opportunity to recommend BAC signatory contractors and craftworkers for their projects.

INFLUENCING SPECIFICATIONS TO ENCOURAGE USE OF BAC CRAFTWORKERS

Another way IMI influences designers to use BAC labor on projects is by encouraging them to adopt model specification language. This year, over 1,200 project specifications included IMI certificate and certification language as a project requirement, with 200 of those projects valued over $20 million.

These training programs — ranging from Supervisor Certification, to Flashing, Grouting and Reinforcing, and Historic Masonry Preservation, among others — are only offered to BAC craftworkers, which gives BAC contractors a leg up in bidding and winning the work.

SHAPING CODES AND STANDARDS

IMI also participates in over 45 building codes and standards committees and subcommittees across the trowel trades. These efforts help to safeguard our materials and ensure masonry and tile remain favorable materials. This year, critical code initiatives revolved around masonry’s role in fire safety and mitigating extreme temperatures in cities, known as the “urban heat island effect.”

WORKING WITH GENERAL CONTRACTORS AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS

IMI is increasingly working with project decision makers, including major general contractors and construction managers like Turner, Walsh Group, Holt Construction, DPR, Gilbane, LF Driscoll, Suffolk Construction, Triton Construction, and many more.

Outreach this year included both IMI educational events in major metropolitan areas, individualized support, and participation in industry events, like the Construction Management Association of America’s conferences. This relationship building is key to persuading GCs and CMs that union labor is critical to delivering projects efficiently and effectively.

REACHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DESIGNERS: UNIVERSITY OUTREACH

IMI also helps to inspire and inform the next generation of design professionals by hosting workshops and semester-long seminars at leading universities across the country. This year, IMI provided education to both undergraduate and graduate level students in architecture, engineering, and preservation programs.

IMI’s influence across the architecture, engineering, and construction community ensures the creation of more work opportunities for BAC craftworkers and contractors. For more information about IMI and our activities, follow IMI on social media or on the web at imiweb.org.