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San Francisco School |
From the President's Desk |
News from the Apprentice Office
The marble apprentices hold their classes inside a warehouse type building at 186 Potrero in
San Francisco. With all the drilling, grinding, sawing, mixing mud, and sweeping up, it becomes
quite dusty. Since we are not allowed to discharge the dust to the outside air the apprentice
committee decided to buy three portable hepa filtration units. The units use a series of
filters, each trapping smaller particles. In general they draw in the dirty air, trap the dust
and contaminants and discharge clean, breathable air. This should help to make classes more
enjoyable for the apprentices and instructors as well.
We also felt that a tool room would be a benefit. With the help of some of our committee
members, instructors and apprentices we were able to build the tool room at minimal expense.
Ron Bennett arranged for blocks, mortar and rebar to be donated and delivered. Al Knauer was
able to make a good deal on a steel door and frame. Al also gave us a door , which we used as
a shelf inside the tool room. Doug Pritchett Coordinated the delivery of the cement and gravel,
which would be used to mix the grout and delivered the materials to build the roof. Dave
Jackson, whose insight and advice are always welcome helped decide on the location, size and
design of the tool room. Eleven Bricklayer apprentices volunteered to do the actual building
of the tool room. The room was built on March 31, thanks to Jack Baxter, Calvin Chess, Matt
Colvard, Tony Franchi, Chris Lancaster, Ariel Melero, Arthur Oceguera, Jeff Tarpley, Justin
Thayne, Doug Thompson, and Jeff Woodard. This is a fine example of the willingness of our
apprentices to work together for the betterment of all.
When growing up I was always led to believe that it was only the mailman that would fulfill
his duties during Rain, Sleet or Snow. Well on Saturday April 7, 2001 I was very impressed to
see that all (25) Brick contestants kept their noses to the grindstone and under adverse
conditions just kept on building their projects.
I want to congratulate all these apprentices for coming from near and far, for some of them
Fresno is not a short commute. I also want to say great job again to Michael Height for a great
project, the work it takes to set up a local contest is extremely time consuming. Also thanks
to Larry Buranen for all his hard work teaching and keeping the training program of the Fresno
brick apprentices going. Let’s not forget the judges Dennis Ward, Curtis Bertrand and Gary
Peifer, And let us not forget the ever-diligent Jimmy Weiss who helped set up and BBQ.
It looks like (12) of the skilled contestants will go to Portland Oregon to represent Local 3
at this years Western States Brick and Tile Contest. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend
for I have a family commitment that has been a Memorial weekend Tradition For (30) years.
Tom Spear, who is your newly elected Sec/Treas. will be there to take care of all the
apprentices and I hope that you remember that it’s not so much winning as much as it is to do
your best, Because that’s all anyone can ask.
In closing my thoughts and best wishes will be with all of you so give it your best and bring
back the trophy, and try to get to bed early, get plenty of rest, and don’t drink so much the
night before for the early bird catches the worm/trophy.
School to Careers
Our bricklaying instructor, Larry Buranen and two apprentices, Justin Bertrand and Ron
deGallery along with the apprentice coordinator provided instruction for the classroom and
hands-on activities. The students were told some of the benefits of being a skilled union
craftsperson. We also accented the importance of education to our crafts, with special emphasis
on math, shop classes, drafting and business courses. Students were also told what our
craftspeople do, what wages they earn and some of the rewards of belonging to a craft that has
endured for thousands of years. During the hands on portion the students saw demonstrations and
had a chance to lay some bricks and blocks. The students were very attentive and asked some
good questions.
On March 27th we participated in an event in Richmond. The event was held at the Rosie the
Riveter Memorial, which is dedicated to the women who worked in the shipyard during the second
World War.
In order to attract young people we will continue to participate in these types of events.
We also attend high schools on an individual basis. If you know of a school that would like to
know more about our programs, please contact the apprentice office. We need everyone's
participation in order to attract young men, women and minorities into our crafts. We have to
promote an awareness to the young people, but more importantly, the parents, teachers and
counselors must be brought to realize that apprenticeship is a worthwhile endeavor.
Recently Certified Journeypersons
Marble Finishers
Bricklayers
PCC
Congratulations to each of you for choosing a respected and rewarding craft.
On April 7, we held our local bricklaying contest in Fresno. Each year we have a local
contest which allows us to select our top apprentices, who will represent Local 3 at the Western
States Contest.
This year our first place winner is Miguel Cabrera. Miguel, who entered our program in
November of 1999 works for Cornerstone Masonry. He received a check for one hundred dollars
from the Don Sullivan Endowment Fund. Second place went to Calvin Chess of E & S
Masonry and third place was Tony Franchi, who works for Sacramento Masonry. Others who qualified
for the Western States Contest are; Jason Mower, Justin Thayne, Jeff Tarpley, Ariel Melero,
Brian Richey, Aaron Dorfmeier, Jerry Turley, Jack Pimentel, and Matt Kirkes. Congratulations
to each of you.
All the apprentices who participated deserve a special “thank you” for their diligent
efforts. Thanks also to the apprentices who tended the contestants and others who worked
behind the scenes to make the contest a success.
The three men with the toughest jobs were Dennis Ward, Curtis Bertrand and Gary Peifer,
who served as our judges this year. The bricks for the contest were furnished through the
combined efforts of Bratton Masonry and H. C. Muddox. Fran Bergman, Principal at Central
Learning Adult School Site (CLASS) provided us with the facility as well as tables and chairs.
Fran also coordinated the T. V. coverage. Greg Miranda along with Tom Spear, Dave Jackson,
Randy Smith and Jimmy Weiss provided lunch. Thanks to Larry Buranen, our instructor, whose
immeasurable dedication and commitment is always appreciated. Thanks to all who attended this
event, we have another fond memory of apprenticeship.
The word apprentice comes from the French word “apprendre” which means “to learn.” Our modern
apprenticeship is a training system in which a person learns a skilled trade on the job under
an experienced, competent craftsperson and in related classroom instruction. The ancient
civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all had apprentice systems. A method
by which young persons became skilled and proficient craftspersons. These systems became the
guild systems which flourished in the middle ages. These procedures that we utilize do work,
but it is up to all of us to improve and continue the system.
A part of our craft that has been neglected in our training procedures in the past is terrazzo
work. In comparison to other facets of our industry there has not been a great demand for this
craft. Yet, if we neglect to train mechanics to do this work; we will lose it altogether. It
is up to us to see that this does not happen. We must protect our industry and all of it’s
facets. It might be that cross training is the answer. In this procedure our apprentices would
at least have a rudimentary knowledge of terrazzo work.
I have just heard that Spiro (Bud) Papadakis has passed away. He was a stalwart supporter of
the Tile Apprentice Program. I served with Bud for many years on the California State Brick
and Tile Apprentice Committee. He will be missed and I would ask all of you to remember him
in your prayers. Our condolences to his family.
In the days ahead you will be hearing of the possibility of the Local #3 Trusts merging with
the former Local #7 Trusts. Such a merger would make for a more efficient, economic system
and should be of great benefit to the participants. In the past few years I was involved in
the merger of the Trusts of Local 8 & 10, 9 & 12 and then all four into Local #3. I feel that
this has been a win/win situation for all of the participants of all the Trusts. As each plan
was merged, the best parts of each were adhered to by the Trustees. This is your future,
investigate and let your wishes be known.
Don Sullivan
From the President’s Desk
Greg Miranda
News from the Apprentice Office
In an effort to recruit more young men and women into our crafts we meet with high school
students, teachers and counselors. On March 7th and 8th we participated in an event in Fresno.
Students from various high schools were brought to the plumbers and electricians training
facilities. They were then divided into groups of about ten students and directed to visit the
various trades for classroom and hands-on Instruction.
This event focused on women in non traditional roles. Students were bussed to the site.
They watched a video of the Rosie the Riveters. There were several Rosies attending who met
with the students. They also heard an inspiring story from a woman who went through the
carpenters apprentice program years ago and is now working as a surveyor.
There were a large number of women attending who now work in non traditional jobs. We had
four women from Local 3 who received letters of commendation from Governor Gray Davis. They are
Laurel Harris, Linda Hollingsworth, Taula Seals and Andrea Bohannon.
We set up a booth to hand out literature to all who seemed to have an interest in our
crafts.
Quinn Medeiros
Martin O’Leary, Cody Reynolds, Jesse Richards
Scott Aragon, Matthew Gonzales,Ricardo Gutierrez, Daniel Jimenez Jr.,
Ed Kendall, Ben Scott, Mark Souza,Michael Spears, Craig Greenmeyer
2001 Local Contest held in Fresno
Words of Wisdom
Don Sullivan