Silica, Diversity, Emerging Job Creation Patterns on Tap in Philadelphia

JOURNAL: ISSUE 3 - 2013

Speaking on September 23rd at the BAC Executive Council, OSHA chief Dr. David Michaels emphasized the number of lives that would be saved once the Agency's proposed silica rule goes into effect. Michaels also noted "It's very important that we level the playing field… If we have a stronger rule we can make sure that low-road employers aren't exposing their workers to silica and other dangerous conditions,,, that's important to all of us."

The BAC Executive Council concluded a jam-packed three-day meeting in Philadelphia on September 24th  that included a mix of guest speakers, BAC program updates, Council members' reports on the work outlook for their respective Locals and ADCs, along with time spent shining the spotlight on the some of the Union's highest achievers – the winners of the 2013 BAC Craft Awards.

Epidemiologist and top OSHA official Dr. David Michaels made the trip from Washington, D.C. for the sole purpose of talking with Council members about the Agency's commitment to working with worker advocates like BAC to shepherd the Agency's newly proposed silica rule through the public process to final implementation (see page 14 for more on the silica standard).

Another meeting high point, the presentation of the Craft Awards, paid homage to excellence in union masonry construction and outstanding union and community service (look for detailed coverage of the 2013 Craft Awards in the next Journal).

In photo at left, BAC President James Boland, right, talks with guest speaker PA State Representative Brendan Boyle (D-170th Dist.), who is seeking election to the U.S. House seat that covers portions of northern Philadelphia and Montgomery County in 2014. That seat's current occupant, Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), pictured at right, addressed the Council the day after Boyle. Earlier this year Schwartz announced her candidacy for the office of Governor in 2014. She is shown here with Local 5 President Lester Kauffman, left, and Local 1 PA/DE President Dennis Pagliotti. Local 9 PA Field Representative Bill Greer is behind the group.

The Council heard from two of Pennsylvania's top contenders for higher office as well as from newly elected AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Terfere Gebre, Ana Avendaño, labor's foremost immigration reform analyst, and workforce diversity and inclusion authority Susan Woods. Economic development expert Jennifer Bradley was also on hand to discuss the recently published book, "Metropolitan Revolution", in which she and co-author Bruce Katz examine emerging post-recession job creation patterns in select mid-size metropolitan areas. 

Interspersed throughout the meeting were Council members' firsthand accounts on work trends in their areas. Giving their reports are Local 1 NY President Jeremiah Sullivan, Jr., above, and OH-KY ADC Director Ken Kudela.

Three retired members of the Council were recognized for their service to the Union's highest advisory body – Regional Vice President Steve Mullen of Local 15 Missouri/Kansas, Plaster Craft Vice President Keith Brault of Local 1 Florida, and BAC Canadian Director Fred Vautour of Local 8 New Brunswick.

Rounding out the program were seven educational workshops. Topics ranged from IMI strategies for BAC Locals and ADCs to position themselves for growth to improved communication techniques for Local leaders to best bargaining and organizing practices related to contractor retention, and traveling.

In his state of the Union remarks, BAC President Boland told the Council that while it appears BAC has made it through the worst of the Great Recession, he cautioned, "Now is not the time to kick-back and relax. We must continue to find ways to adapt and capitalize on any opportunity to put our members to work and sign up more contractors."