President's Message
“Power Concedes Nothing Without a Demand.”
These words ring as true today as they did when first delivered in 1857 by American abolitionist and social justice leader Frederick Douglass. Generation upon generation since then has recognized this enduring truth: without struggle there is no progress. This adage captures a founding principle for BAC and is central to our ongoing efforts to improve the lives of BAC members and their families.
Justice in the workplace is earned, not granted. There are those that actively seek to reverse our gains on the jobsite. Whether it is the non-union contractor that seeks to undermine the wages and conditions that our local unions have struggled to establish, or politicians that attack the rights of unions to effectively represent workers, we must meet these foes head-on.
Most recently, we did just that when the members and officers of Local 1 OR/WA/ID/MT along with the affiliates of the AFL-CIO defeated the misguided efforts of the GOP-controlled Montana legislature to enact so called “Right to Work” (RTW) legislation. BAC Local 1 members knew RTW was wrong and let their state legislators know that in no uncertain terms. But as we celebrate this victory, we must also recognize that anti-union forces will not rest.
Indeed, the struggle to suppress the rights of workers to have a say in the workplace is on prominent display as Amazon, the world’s largest company, vehemently fights the right of its warehouse workers in Alabama to organize a union. These workers know the benefits that unions bring to the workplace. Let’s face it if unions didn’t work, Amazon wouldn’t be fighting so hard to prevent its workers from unionizing. This much is clear though, whatever the outcome of this election, the demand for justice in the workplace remains constant.
In the US the Biden Administration and the Democratically-controlled House and Senate passed the American Rescue Plan Act (without a single GOP vote) which provides funding for vaccine distribution, much-needed unemployment assistance, healthcare subsidies for impacted workers, stimulus checks for working families, financial support for pension plans, and fiscal aid to states and cities that will support construction.
2021 is a year of promise and challenge for BAC members across the United States and Canada. The roll out of vaccines across our two countries is progressing well, although we must continue to maintain our best virus prevention practices (Mask-Distance-Wash) over the coming months to maximize the effectiveness of the vaccination process. An improving health crisis will lead to improved work prospects. Infact, this past month saw the first rise in architectural billings since the onset of the pandemic which bodes well for future construction activity.
Commitment to craft and union is what distinguishes BAC members -- the recognition that jointly our skills and solidarity are the foundation of our voice in the workplace and our communities.
Stay healthy and stay safe brothers and sisters!