Home
Return to Archived Newsletters
This year the Western States Bricklaying Contest was held in Anaheim on 1 June. The first
place winner was Jose Cabrera, Local 3 CA. The competition was comprised of 27 apprentices
from the western U. S. Jose's outstanding performance qualified him to travel to Hawaii and
compete in the Hawaii Invitational Contest on 22 June where he placed 3rd. Jose has
approximately two years of apprenticeship remaining. He could be a strong candidate for
the International Contest slated for fall of 2003. He works for Cornerstone Masonry in the
Salinas and Monterey area. Congratulations to Jose, his employer and his coworkers who are
obviously setting a fine example.
In addition to tools, money, recognition and a personal First Place Trophy, Jose has the
distinguished honor of being the first recipient of the Donald A. Sullivan Commemorative
Trophy. The trophy was built to honor Don Sullivan for his dedication to the Masonry Industry.
It replaces the Lloyd Hall Trophy which was retired on 31 May 2002, after 29 contests. All are
invited to stop by the apprentice office and see this fine trophy which will be on display
until April next year. The trophy is also featured on our web page at
Western States Contest
Following Jose was his brother Miguel who finished in 4th place and then Calvin Chess in 8th.
Miguel works for Cornerstone Masonry and Calvin works for E & S Masonry. They will both be
eligible to compete again next year. No date has been set at this time but it is expected
to be held in Las Vegas in late April to early May, which will require us to have our local
contest earlier also.
I hope you all enjoy being out of school for the summer. We recognize and appreciate the
commitment of our apprentices and instructors.
Travel checks were mailed for the second half of 2001/02 on 26 June. If you did not receive
one and think you should have please contact the apprentice office. We pay travel to
apprentices living outside a 50 mile radius from their respective school.
School will resume on 7 September for all crafts. Be on time (8:00 am) and remember to
dress for work, bring the required tools and classroom materials (books, pens and pencils).
If you failed to receive a schedule, you can find one on this web site at Schedules
We continue to bring new apprentices into all of our crafts, with the greatest need being for
bricklayers. At the present time we have 81 Bricklayers, 68 Pointer, Cleaner, Caulkers,
45 Marble Finishers and 15 Marble Masons. We certified 30 journeymen this year but are still
coming up short regarding bricklayers. If we are to meet our future needs we must maintain
the growth we experienced last year. We also need to improve on our retention and selection of
apprentices. Thanks to all the contractors who are doing their part by employing and training
our apprentices.
Recently Certified Journeypersons
Marble Mason Marble Finisher PCC Congratulations to each of you for choosing a respected and rewarding craft.
Well you sure find out how time flies because as I write this letter our summer break
from school is soon to be over. I’m looking forward to another positive and productive
year assisting Michael at the Brick School. When you get your schedule, be sure to put
it on your refrigerator.
While you were on break I was asked to go to the Brick, Tile and Plaster Hawaii Invitational.
Jose Cabrera, Brick and Wah Keung Yiu, Tile; who both took first place at the Western States
Brick and Tile Contest, were chosen by their JATC’s to represent BAC Local 3. The contest was
held at the local Junior College on Saturday June 22nd. The weather was a little on the rainy
side in the morning. The contestants were under tents. In Hawaii they call the rain a blessing,
I told them that in California we go home.
Both projects for our crafts were challenging. Our apprentices went at it with every
intention to win. When the time limit was over, the apprentices put down their tools
and the judges came in to do their job. When the judging was over the apprentices, as
well as spectators who were left, jumped in and tore down the projects. No one went home
until it was cleaned up.
On Sunday we attended the awards banquet. Everyone had a great time. After dinner the
winners of the contest were announced. One thing that I thought was nice was that you
had a 1st and 2nd winner and everyone else took 3rd. I’m proud to say that Jose Cabrera
took 3rd in Brick and Wah Keung Yiu took 1st place in Tile. We should all commend them on
the great future they will have in our crafts. Great effort and see you in school.
The next subject that I would like to touch on is the need to, “Get Out To Vote.” If you’re
not registered to vote, please call the Oakland office and we will send you the voter
registration forms. I know that I can’t tell you how to vote. In America we have the right
to vote how we feel. The last election was one of the lowest for voter turnout in the
history of voting. The only way to make your voice heard is to vote.
This new Bush administration is not friendly to the workers of America. We saw tax cuts,
but the tax bracket for the average construction worker doesn’t seem to benefit, so who is
benefiting from these tax cuts?
In California we are going to think hard and remember how it was when Wilson was running this
state. Now we have Simon to think about and Simon says, “I’m a corporate CEO I know how to
run California!”
“I learned to balance a budget from my friends at Enron, Arthur Andersen, Tyco, IMClone,
Global Crossing, Xerox, World Com.” Don’t forget the the Savings and Loan in Los Angeles
that he personally ran into the ground, costing taxpayers over $170 million.
So let us as members of BAC Local 3, “Get out the Vote.” Please remember what it was like
with Clinton in office and how working families have seen the best economy in twenty-five
years. No matter what they say about Gray Davis, he too has done a lot for working families.
If all of us get out to vote, maybe working families will continue to prosper.
California’s General Elections will be held November 5, 2002. If you are not registered
to vote, please do so. You must also register when you move, change your name or change
your political party affiliation. In order to vote in this upcoming election you must
register by the Deadline October 21, 2002.
Each of us are faced with choices everyday;
“Do you want fries with that”? Should you take your child to the emergency room at 2:00 am?
Should you shoot the son of a bitch? Is that scaffold safe?
Often we make choices on impulse and things turn out fine, while other times more serious
implications may result. I believe many of us are born with a genetic or physiological makeup
which promotes us to express selfish or senseless behavior at times. This magnifies the
importance of thinking things through before we act.
There is no failure in most of life’s lessons, we simply get to do it again. There is an old
saying, “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you will keep getting what you’re getting”.
We are fortunate to live where we are free to make so many choices. If everything is perfect,
and I hope it is, you have mastered life, congratulations. If things could be better, ask
yourself, what could I be doing differently. Consider your personal goals, the welfare of your
family, your impact on those around you.
Whether you choose to measure your life by years, financial success, your contribution to
your craft or community, or simply by good friends and fond memories, it’s all a result of
your day to day choices. Think things through before you act, make the right choice and your
life will be better.
Zack Lambert
News From The Apprentice Office
Jeffrey Davis
Antonio Berber
Linda Hollingsworth
Moises Brambilo
Juan Carlos Alcocer
Wayne Sharp
Mike Danae
From the President’s Desk
Greg Miranda
Register to Vote
Register to Vote
Back Page
Zack Lambert
Choice