BAC Administrative District Council Officials

Director's Report Richard E. Tolson Director Brothers and Sisters, I have never been one to wish my life away but I must say I am glad to see 2012 come to an end. The challenges we have faced, both personally and professionally, have been tremendous. The resolve we muster to overcome these challenges in 2013 is what will determine our future. Throughout the course of 2012 unemployment was the greatest challenge we faced on a professional level. With limited private investment in our state, those who are investing constantly asking for concessions, and employers utilizing an ever increasing undocumented workforce, our ability to create opportunity for our members has been difficult, at best. And during these most difficult of economic times we all face personal challenges of mortgage payments, educational commitments, sickness, and even death, of loved ones. Your Union officers and representatives hear your stories every day. We not only understand and try to offer solutions; we have the same experiences in our lives as well. We are no different. We are not excluded from personal tragedy. And we move forward. Most recently, our state and so many of us have been affected by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. From inconvenience to total displacement and loss, either directly or through a family member or friend, we all felt the effects of this storm. Your Union stands ready to assist in any way possible as does your International and the surrounding Locals. That is who we are. That is what we have always done. And yes, we vowed to rebuild our great state. With the help of so many from organized labor, President Barack Obama has been reelected for a second term. During the course of the election, we gave all the information on why we supported President Obama, and not his opponent. We trust he will now deliver on the issues that are key to this Union and our members. So now we face a new year and are faced with decisions to make. How will we move forward? Will we accept the changes we must make to compete in today’s economy? Will you become more involved in your Union and will ALL of us be more accountable for this Union and its’ success? Will we all recognize our responsibility in overcoming todays challenges and live up to that responsibility? Will we stand united in a statewide effort to prove once again that we are “the best hands in the business”? I want to share with all of you how your Union plans on approaching this year and the initiatives we will be taking to overcome our challenges. Some of the issues have been insinuated already in this message. First, our elected officials, especially the ones we support, must address the issues that are important to you. The state of New Jersey must enact legislation that protects workers’ rights and holds accountable employers who are taking advantage of undocumented workers. To require all employers to use the federal E-Verify system is not too much to ask. This legislation would go a long way in leveling the playing field in our industry. I am certain that with a level playing field, our members and contractors can compete with anyone, regardless of where they are from. Please, contact your state legislator and tell them we need A-189 and S-2733 brought out of committee and passed by the full legislature. Your Union will continue to try and get the inspection of facades requirement passed. In addition, what we have learned from Hurricane Sandy is there is a better way to build. That way is with MASONRY! With the support of our International Union, we will be working on improving building codes that encourage the benefits of building with the best materials known to man, masonry. With so many wooden boardwalks being destroyed, we believe it is time for municipalities to consider the benefit of concrete promenades along our beachfront. Next. The marketing initiative we started a year and a half ago has now developed into a comprehensive statewide database. For those of you who attend the monthly meetings, you have heard us talk about this as well as make presentations. Currently there are over 600 owners, developers, general contractors, agencies, and others whose information is available to every representative in the state. The personal contacts we have made through the meetings we have scheduled have provided an increase in man-hours that we previously did not have. Coupled with this effort is the daily interaction with our IMI architects who work with architects and engineers throughout our region promoting the use of the products we install. We have also moved forward through a labor/management cooperative to promote the use of structural masonry. Using a structural engineer to deliver our message to the design community presents us with greater opportunity to put our member’s to work. We continue to try and work with the other Building Trades Unions to approach jobs in the formative stages to convince owners that we offer competitive solutions for their construction projects. Your Union leads the way in the effort to do this jointly so no one trade is taken advantage of for the benefit of another. We all need to share in any sacrifice as well as any benefit. We will move toward the expiration of our current Collective Bargaining Agreement by the end of April 2013. We encourage your input on issues that you believe need to be addressed. We all must recognize the economic conditions we are under and what our competition does not provide and the cost of those differences. We must identify and understand how we need to adapt to an industry that is changing by methods, materials, and technology. We will continue to work with our employers to expand their comfort zone and go after non-traditional work they have not previously done. We must recapture the markets we have not participated in for far too long. Our membership must be multi-crafted to make themselves more employable. In an effort to maintain the level of benefits we have enjoyed, change must take place there as well. For the past 8 months we have discussed at membership meetings what changes may need to take place regarding how we deliver health care. We will continue to keep you informed as the year progresses. One thing we will be doing that our members must be part of is shutting down jobs when necessary. We cannot allow employers to get too extended in delinquencies. with draw of manpower is the greatest leverage we have. It is your contributions we are protecting. As I have stated countless times, an increase in man-hours goes a long way in resolving our fund issues. As I have previously described, we have a plan in place to do just that. Earlier in this report I presented some questions. I have also offered some insight in to how we believe we can overcome our challenges. These efforts will continue to be a work in progress. But without our member’s involvement, commitment, and support, none of our anticipated success can be realized. You have suffered through the worst economy since the great depression and you keep going. We have all suffered through personal tragedies in our private lives, yet our families survive. Our state was devastated by a horrific storm and we vowed to rebuild. We debated through the first statewide Union election in our history as well as a presidential election and have committed to move forward. One of the foundational principles of this International Union since 1865 has been of commitment to the common good. The question cannot be “what does the Union do for me” but rather “what do we do as a Union”! Our future relies solely on our ability to recognize, adapt, and resolve. TOGETHER.

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Office Administrator Report Nicholas D'Orazio Office Administrator Brothers and Sisters: The BAC Disaster Relief Fund Since it was established in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina, the BAC Disaster Relief Fund has been a welcome source of sustenance for members affected by natural or other disasters. The program is funded through the personal contributions of the IU Executive Board, Local Union/ADC officers, members, signatory contractors, and through IU and Local Union grants. In light of the damage caused by Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone Sandy, IU President James Boland wants to remind members that the Fund exists “to lend a helping hand to our Brothers and Sisters in need, so please be sure to alert your Local or ADC if you have suffered as a result of the recent storm.” Please contact me with your name, IU member number, a cell phone or email address, and your circumstances, and we’ll do everything possible to relay that information to the International Union. I can be reached at 609-324-9681. Your Administrative District Council is pleased to announce that we will match the money you receive from the Disaster Relief Fund. Additionally, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO has posted a Hurricane Sandy Recovery Tool Kit. The tool includes information and telephone numbers for FEMA and other government agencies. Please visit their web site at; www.njaflcio.org