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News from the Apprentice Office
Apprentice school resumed on September 11. Several hours of the first class were dedicated to
orientation for all students. They completed the necessary registration forms and read and
discussed the rules, regulations and policies. They also received an in depth explanation of
how the pay increases work. The new students got a tour of the training facility and a safety
orientation on the mechanical equipment they will be using.
We bring in additional speakers as the year progresses to speak on topics of interest to the
apprentices. Stephanie from United Labor Bank conducted two Money Smart courses on September 25.
Hayward Adult School will be providing CPR/First Aid classes beginning in November.
On October 9, BAC Local 3 presented a Union Indoctrination for our brick, pcc, and marble apprentices
at Pleasanton. The morning began with opening remarks from President Bresnahan. Business agents,
Dave Jackson, Randy Smith, Troy Garland, Paul Sullivan, and Skip Gainer introduced themselves and
handed out pay scales for the different geographic jurisdictions. They also handed out the
respective collective bargaining agreements for bricklayers, pcc, and marble along with both the
I.U. and Local 3 constitutions. President Bresnahan explained the purpose of the union and the
apprentices responsibilities as members. Trust attorney, George Kraw made a presentation on the
various trust funds, followed by a question and answer session. President Bresnahan also invited
physical therapists, Michelle and Gary, who explained the benefits and demonstrated various
stretching exercises.
Lunch followed with J. J.’s famed barbeque. All and all it was a very informative day. Hopefully,
President Bresnahan will take this show on the road for the benefit of our apprentices in Fresno.
We have thirty nine new students this year, seventeen bricklayers, eleven marble finishers, one
marble mason, and ten pointer, cleaner, caulkers.
Instructors, Larry Buranen, Vincent Schneider and Troy Garland recently returned from the east
coast, where they attended the IMI Instructor Certification Program. Troy received his
certification. The program is structured to be completed in five years.
Jimmy Weiss became a business representative in September of 1996, primarily working the San Joaquin
Valley in and around Fresno. Jimmy has shown a sincere interest in apprenticeship and was
instrumental in setting up the training site in Fresno. On occasion when our regular instructor,
Larry Buranen, has been unavailable to teach, Jimmy always substituted for us. There have been few
school Saturdays that Jimmy did not show up at the school, since it opened in September, 1999. He
liked being involved but most of all, he cared about the apprentices.
Jimmy recently retired and will soon be moving to Texas. He is leaving big shoes to fill.
We wish him the best of luck, and will remember him as a good friend of apprenticeship.
The term of apprenticeship varies with each of our crafts. Bricklayers require four years to
complete the program, Marble Masons and PCC, three years and Marble Finishers, two years. Each
apprentice receives pay increases as they meet certain requirements.
For example a bricklayer apprentice, who begins work on September 4, 2004 with no previous
experience, will start at 40% of the journeyman rate. In order to receive his next increase,
which will place him at 45% the apprentice must meet certain requirements. He must work for
six months and accrue 750 hours of work experience, or “on the job training” (OJT). He must
also attend school on Saturdays and accrue 63 school hours, or “related supplemental instruction”
(RSI).
When the apprentice has met these requirements, it is his responsibility to notify the apprentice
office, with a “Re-Rate Request” form.
The apprentice office will approve or deny the request based on our computerized tracking system.
By using the sign-in sheets from school we are able to keep current RSI hours. OJT hours are
tracked using reports from Allied Administrators. There is generally a two month lapse between
hours worked and hours reported. We accept the apprentice’s Blue Books to credit OJT for the lag
months in order to assure timely pay increases, since for example hours worked in September will
not be reported until the end of November.
The Apprentice Office, upon approval of the “Re-Rate Request” will send an “Apprentice Performance
Appraisal” form to the contractor. The contractor should return the completed form to the
apprenticeship office, who in turn will send a copy to the apprentice, to be viewed by the
apprentice as constructive criticism.
If an apprentice does not receive the increase after following the previous steps, he should
contact the apprentice office, and we will research the matter.
For bricklayers each increase requires six months of work experience, 750 hours OJT and 63 hours
RSI. The apprentice must meet these requirements for each increase. To reach journeyman status
he must accrue 6000 hours OJT and 504 hours RSI. The program is typically completed in four years.
Recently Certified Journeypersons
Bricklayers
Marble Finisher
Marble Mason
Congratulations to each of you for choosing a respected and rewarding craft.
The national election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 2. John Kerry and George Bush have been
in an all out campaign for president for several months. They both have a strong following and a
tight race is expected. In addition to the Presidential Election, there are a number of state and
local races and initiatives on the ballot.
You have the right and responsibility to help select the people who write the laws and govern
your life. Consider how you will be affected by the outcome of this election, not only today,
consider the future also. Take the time to read about the candidates and initiatives so you can
be an informed voter.
A good many people either pretend to be, or are actually convinced that they are a little smarter
than the next guy. This is fine in and of itself, as it serves to improve a person’s sense of self
worth, which is important. This frame of mind can however be damaging if we act on what we think or
pretend we know, when the reality is we don’t know.
The masonry craft is so vast and diverse, it would be foolish for anyone to pretend to know it all.
It is however important that we learn as much as we can in order to maintain the high standards
of our craft. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know”. A lot of mistakes can be prevented by simply
asking more questions, be clear on what you are expected to do. It is much cheaper to prevent
problems than to have to go back and fix them.
It can be difficult to recognize things we don’t know, simply because most of us think we are
smarter than we are. When asked to perform a task, you should be able to ask specific questions
for clarification. If you can’t, you probably don’t know enough to complete the task in a craftsman
like manner. Ask for supervision but insist on performing the task yourself. Every lesson learned
is something you can build on and apply to other situations that are sure to occur in the future.
Stay observant and open minded. Be receptive to the advice of the accomplished craftsmen, and
learn to recognize your limitations.
Zack Lambert
Good Friend of Apprenticeship
News from the Apprenticeship Office
Pay Increases
Nicholas Thompson
Jason Mower
Jack Hunter
Serafin Garcia
John Keeling
Remember to Vote
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Zack Lambert
Recognize Your Limitations