Our Economy Must Serve People
Work is more than a way to make a living, it is also our contribution to the communities we live in. That’s why delegates to the BAC 2022 Special Convention reaffirmed the principle that work must be honored and dignified. That requires that workers’ rights must be respected – from the right to decent wages and meaningful benefits, to those ensuring safe working conditions, a voice in how their jobs are performed, and the unhindered right to join a union. And for the skilled trades of BAC, who invest so much time, energy, and training towards the mastery of our crafts, it involves recognition and trust by employers in our ability to successfully complete their projects.
BAC’s apprenticeship and training programs are central to the value that BAC craftworkers provide, and those skill-building programs were front and center during our Convention. Over 70 apprentices, who advanced from local and regional contests across the US and Canada, competed for the title of “best in the business” (p.15–17). And while there could only be one winner named for each of the craft competitions, the preparation and passion of each apprentice made it clear that our industry’s future is in good hands.
Delegates to the Convention considered and adopted a diverse set of resolutions and initiatives to address organizing, recruitment, retention, labor law reform, health and safety, immigration, marketing and promotion of BAC building materials, and retirement security, amongst others (p. 3–10). Underlying all these actions was a recognition by delegates that growth of membership must be a central goal over the next three years because BAC’s market share in any given area determines our ability to deliver the wages, benefits, programs, and representation that BAC members expect and deserve.
The International Union has a central role to play in supporting efforts to expand membership and market share, but delegates were equally clear that it’s local BAC leaders — and just as importantly local union members — who are best positioned to identify the targets, develop the strategies, and execute the campaigns that bring new workers and contractors under the BAC banner.
That is why the 2022 Special Convention revised the IU Constitution to require that every Local Union and every District Council amend their Local Constitution and By-Laws to formally establish organizing committees. Each local organizing committee will include no fewer than two rank and file members and will prepare and present reports of their activities on a regular basis.
Spearheading organizing activities for the International Union will be IU Organizing Director Luciano Padilla (p. 12), Brother Padilla, a 25-year member, has served as an IU Organizer since 2016, and prior to that worked as an organizer with the BAC Administrative District Council No. 1 of Illinois for 14 years. His two decades of experience in organizing new members and contractors make him the ideal leader to assist local unions and ADCs coordinate organizing efforts across the International Union.
The upheaval of the pandemic has awoken workers’ collective sense of what’s possible. They know that joining together in a union is the best way to improve wages, benefits, safety, security and dignity in the workplace. Now it’s our job to make sure that all workers engaged in our trades enjoy the benefits of BAC membership.
Brothers and Sisters, wishing you a happy and safe holiday season!