The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) is a labor union in the United States and Canada which represents bricklayers, restoration specialists, pointers/cleaners/caulkers, stonemasons, marble masons, cement masons, plasterers, tile setters, terrazzo mechanics, and tile, marble and terrazzo finishers. The union is an affiliate of the AFL–CIO and its Building and Construction Trades Department. It is also affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress in Canada.

History The oldest continuously operating trade union in North America, BAC was founded in 1865 as the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers International Union of America (BMPIU). It was established during a great wave of blue-collar union formation in the 1860s. The organization has changed its name several times during its history to reflect its changing membership. In 1884 the name changed to Bricklayers and Masons International Union. In 1910 the name changed again to Bricklayers, Masons, and Plasterers International Union. In 1995 the union's name changed for the third and final time, renaming the union to International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC). This last change changed "craftsmen" to "craftworkers."

The Union's first Canadian unions were chartered in Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario in 1881, making the union truly international.

BAC President Harry Bates played a major role in the merger of AFL and CIO in 1955, serving as Chair of the Unity Committee.

In 2000, the BAC created its "Canadian Congress" to give Canadian members a powerful, greater voice in union affairs.

James Boland, the 25th President of the International Union, took office in February 2010.

During his tenure the International and its affiliates have focused on creating coalitions with management partners and community groups to expand work prospects for BAC members and signatory contractors. Some of those initiatives include gaining preeminence in green building, strengthening members’ benefits through job-creating capital strategies, and developing customized education and training programs for design professionals, signatory contractors and craftworkers.

Leadership Executive board BAC's Executive board is elected every five years by the delegates to the International Union's Convention.

President: Timothy J. Driscoll Secretary-Treasurer: Robert Arnold Executive Vice President: Jeremiah Sullivan, Jr.

Presidents 1865: John A. White 1867: John S. Frost 1869: Samuel Gaul 1870: John O'Keefe 1871: Meredith Moore 1872: James T. Kirby 1874: Stephen A. Carr 1875: Lewis Carpenter 1877: Charles H. Rihl 1878: Lewis Carpenter 1879: Thomas R. Gockel 1881: E. J. O'Rourk 1882: Henry O. Cole 1884: John Pearson 1885: Thomas R. Gockel 1886: Alex Darragh 1890: Alfred J. McDonald 1891: John Heartz 1894: William Klein 1901: George G. Gubbins 1904: William J. Bowen 1928: George T. Thornton 1935: Harry C. Bates 1960: John J. Murphy 1966: Thomas F. Murphy 1979: Jack Joyce 1999: John J. Flynn 2010: Jim Boland 2020: Timothy J. Driscoll

See also Bricklayers Hall

References

General References

International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen, Local 16 (Schenectady, N.Y.) Records, 1886-1930. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen, Local 16 Records).

External links

IMI Web site