Brazos Masonry Signs with Bricklayers' Union - CEO Cites Growing Demand for Skilled Masonry Workers in Texas and Oklahoma

Large, highly respected Texas firm voluntarily enters collective bargaining agreement to get access to local labor union's skilled workers and training. Training is done using Mobile Training Units that go to the job sites where the labor shortage is.

Amarillo, TX (PRWEB) April 15, 2005 -- In a move thats captured the attention of construction industry observers across the Southwest, Mackie Bounds, CEO and Owner of Brazos Masonry in Waco recently signed an agreement with Local 5 Oklahoma/Arkansas/Texas of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) after 15 years of operating without a collective bargaining agreement.

We welcome Brazos Masonrys commitment to the labor-management process and are confident that this cooperative partnership will expand work opportunities for Brazos Masonry and for BAC members," said BAC president John J. Flynn.

This was the best business decision Ive ever made," said Mackie Bounds, CEO and Owner of Brazos Masonry of Waco. Brazos had two high-profile projects in the Panhandle -- the Globe-News Center of Performing Arts in Amarillo and the Texas Tech residence hall in Lubbock -- but there werent enough skilled masonry workers in those areas. So we went to the BAC for recruitment and training."

I cant say enough about the quality of their work and their work ethic -- as far as Im concerned, I want Brazos to be union shop on all of our projects," Mr. Bounds said.

A key factor was the use of BACs Mobile Training Units, which went to Brazos job sites in Amarillo and Lubbock, and turned unskilled workers into well-trained, highly skilled bricklayers," Bounds said. BAC President Flynn noted that the mobile units are creating new opportunities for our members not only in Texas, but around the country.

In response to the regions growing demand for skilled masonry workers, BAC recently launched an aggressive campaign to train bricklayers throughout the Southwest through the use of mobile classrooms. These Mobile Training Units compliment BACs existing network of local, regional, and national training centers and programs, which it operates in partnership with the International Masonry Institute (IMI), the training and marketing arm jointly controlled by labor and management. The BAC/IMI training system has turned heads in Texas and led more than one leading business, including Brazos Masonry, to become a union contractor.

The Mobile Training Units allow for in-class, state-of the art instruction on topics ranging from the installation of new materials to jobsite safety to journey-level upgrade courses Because training can be conducted right on the job site, local workers, such as those in Amarillo and Lubbock, gain skills and, then, are hired for projects in their communities.

The units help BAC meet many of its goals, including providing access to good jobs that provide quality benefits and safe work environments. Training is the way we can keep our members competitive and ensure that the art of masonry survives in this age of automation and new materials. The success of this project is demonstrated by the commitment of Brazos Masonry, a company with which we are proud to work and with whom we look forward to building a long-lasting relationship," said Ed Navarro President of the BAC Local 5 Oklahoma/Arkansas/Texas.

The Mobile Training Units, which are currently deployed in Amarillo and Lubbock, will continue to move throughout the region to host programs and provide training to Local Union members. Due to the initial success of the Units, BAC plans to launch more units during the next several months.

International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers represents 100,000 skilled masonry workers in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1865, it is the oldest continuous union in North America. For more information, visit www.bacweb.org.

International Masonry Institute is a joint labor-management cooperative program of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) and the contractors who employ its members. Its core programs are quality craft training, research and development, and technical assistance to the design and building communities. For more information, visit www.imiweb.org.

Brazos Masonry, Inc. Inc. of Waco, Texas, is one of Central Texas's most respected and successful masonry contractors. In 2002, the 16-year-old company ranked second among all masonry companies on the Texas Construction Top Specialty Contractors list. The company has received numerous Excellence in Masonry and Golden Trowel awards and completed many high profile projects, including Southwest Texas University at Georgetown, the student life and baseball facilities at Baylor University, upgrades to the football stadium at the University of Texas, and Baylors Humphrey Law Center, which won Best Masonry Project in the 2002 Best of Texas Awards. www.brazosmasonry.com.

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