BAC and Other Organizations Urge President Trump to Fulfill His Promise to Rebuild America’s Schools

[Washington, D.C.] September 12, 2019 – A coalition of 14 international and national organizations have signed a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to renew his commitment to rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, and in particular, rebuilding and modernizing the nation’s schools.

Spearheaded by the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), the letter emphasizes the critical importance of investing in our nation’s public school infrastructure. 

“Facilities that are in poor condition undermine student learning, yet we know that our country’s ability to compete in the global economy depends on the education and skills of the next generation of workers, innovators, and leaders. These young people deserve a high-quality education that inspires their curiosity, imagination, and desire to learn, provided in school buildings and facilities that are safe, up to date, and in good repair,” the letter states. 

BAC President James Boland commented, “It is critically important that we rebuild our crumbling school facilities now so that our students are able to attend schools that are conducive to learning and that our teachers can do their important work in a safe and healthy environment. The much-needed investment will stimulate the economy and create good-paying jobs.”

In addition to BAC, the undersigned organizations also include National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Council of the Great City Schools, National Association of Secondary School Principals, The School Superintendents Association, Association of Educational Services Agencies, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, National Rural Education Association, National Rural Education Advocacy Consortium, and Association of School Business Officials International, National Parent Teacher Association, and Public Advocacy for Kids.

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The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is the oldest continuous union in North America and represents roughly 75,000 skilled masonry-trowel trades craftworkers in the United States and Canada, including bricklayers, tile setters, cement masons, plasterers, stone masons, marble masons, restoration workers, PCC and finishers, and terrazzo and mosaic workers.