Newsletter -Oct 2008
The Masonry Skills Challenge for apprentices and the Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition for Journeyman was held on September 20, 2008 at the Basalite Block Plant in Dixon. BAC 3 was well represented and both Apprentices and Journeyman performed well in their respective contests.

I would like to thank the following members who competed;
1st year Apprentices, 1st place, Tim Birmingham with John Jackson Masonry.
2nd year Apprentices, 1st place, Marcelo Lopez with Pengilly Masonry; 2nd place, Jose Robles with John Jackson Masonry; 3rd place, Daniel Gonzalez with Joseph J. Albanese Masonry; Dossy Monroe with Spencer Masonry.

Journeyman, 2nd place, Brian Cogburn with Stoney Masonry; 3rd place, Robert Jackson with J.D.Wait Masonry; 4th place, Brad Detar with O’Neal Masonry; Jose A. Lopez with John Jackson Masonry; David Jones Jr. with Masonry Design; Erik Zador with Pengilly Masonry; Richard Dayton with John Jackson Masonry; Sam Baeder with PTS Masonry.

Tim Birmingham and Marcelo Lopez will advance to the next level of competition in Las Vegas in February, 2009.

This year’s election for President of the United States is a very important one. I hope that all BAC members take the time to research where the candidates stand on critical issues that affect our lives. We cannot afford to let politicians and media take our attention away from how the candidates will deal with working family issues.

Barack Obama will back BAC members on these key issues; Obama supports Davis-Bacon and Prevailing Wages; Obama supports Project Labor Agreements; Obama supports stricter OSHA enforcement; Obama supports the Employee Free Choice Act to protect the rights of workers who are trying to join a union. John McCain opposes all of these key issues. Barack Obama will expand infrastructure funding to create up to two million new direct, indirect, and infrastructure jobs.

Local politics play a very important role in how the work of the Union and the Building Trade Councils succeed in City, County, School Board, Utility District, and State construction projects. The BAC 3 newsletter contains labor endorsements for candidates that are committed to Union Labor. Research local candidates and propositions, then let your voice be heard and vote.

The next General meeting will be held on November 8, 2008 in Sacramento, Chapter meetings will resume in December. We look forward to seeing you at meetings to share information and ideas.

Work Safe and Honor all Pickets, Dave Jackson