Local Leadership Conference Focuses on Growing BAC

BAC local union leaders from across the US and Canada gathered at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor from July 31–August 2 for the annual Local Leadership Conference. This year’s conference focused on the US presidential election, strategic approaches to organizing, and managing roles as union leaders, all with the goal of growing BAC.

“This isn’t the first time our union has been tested on multiple fronts, and it won’t be the last. Resiliency has defined our union over its history, and we have an obligation to adapt to changes in our world of work and in society overall. That is what BAC members expect — and deserve,” BAC President Tim Driscoll stated in his opening remarks.

During the three-day educational program, local leaders attended plenary sessions and workshops on topics including organizing, safety, communications, research, management, mental health, collective bargaining, and political action.

Political strategist and Purple Strategies Senior Advisor Donna Brazile; National Labor Relations Board Member David Prouty; NABTU President Sean McGarvey; and Vice President of Research, Advocacy and Outreach at the Center for American Progress Will Ragland addressed the conference on the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration and the potential consequences of the upcoming election, especially the threat that Project 2025 poses to workers.

“The Local Leaders Conference was enlightening, engaging, and informative,” shared Local 1 MN/ND/SD President Doug Schroeder. “The ability to take these lessons and apply them to our local is invaluable. I came back with a renewed enthusiasm of what it means to be a local leader.”

To kick off the get out the vote campaign, BAC hosted a welcome reception at Michigan Stadium, home of the Michigan Wolverines. BAC leaders gathered with brothers and sisters from North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) and the Michigan Building Trades to unite their efforts to elect Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz. US Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-6), US Representative Elissa Slotkin (MI-7), and MI State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks were amongst the evening’s speakers.