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Local Apprentice Contest
BAC Local 3 JATEC held their Bricklaying Contest on Saturday, April 14 at the training center in Fresno.
Twenty one contestants competed in this year’s event with a good turn out of supporters looking on, in spite
of the cool damp weather.
The brick project, which was built ten courses high, consisted of one hundred, ninety bricks, with six outside
corners and two inside corners. The apprentices were allowed five hours to complete the project. The judges
this year were Justin Bertrand, Randy Arnold, and Ernest Adame. At the conclusion of the contest, lunch was
served to the apprentices and guests who attended the event. Thanks a lot to Bob Keeles and Gary Peifer who
managed the lunch crew.
The first place winner this year was Justin Jones. Justin works for The Henson Company. He was followed by Joel
Lopez who works for Cornerstone Masonry, and Daniel Voolstra, with Stoney Masonry, in second and third place.
Others rounding out the top twelve were Jose Perez, Joshua Height, Ryan Green, Allan Walls, Daniel Gonzalez,
Kenneth Jones, Kristian Trotter, Chris Garcia and Joshua Woodard. Good luck to them as they advance to the next
level of competition.
As with any successful event, there are quite a few people working behind the scenes. The efforts of Fran
Bergman, the school principal, and instructors, Gary Peifer, Brent Kirkes and Larry Buranen, are always appreciatd,
along with Ray Smith who donated bricks for our contest this year.
Thank you all.
Federal Registration
On March 1 the apprenticeship office sent out a letter, to our registered apprentices and the contractors
who employ them, stating that the U. S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship (DOL OA) has revoked
the authority of the California Department of Industrial Relations and the California Apprenticeship Council
to register programs and apprentices for federal purposes.
Several of our contractors perform work on federally funded projects, and would have been affected by the
DOL OA decision. Our local apprenticeship committee decided that we should register our training program
with the DOL OA. Our current apprentices, originally registered with the State of California Division of
Apprenticeship Standards (DAS), have now been registered also with the DOL OA. We have been granted
conditional approval and continue to work with the DOL OA for final approval. Our incoming apprentices
are being registered with both, the state and federal programs.
The fact that we are registering with DOL OA does not diminish the validity of our program in view of the
State of California. We are continuing to work with both agencies for the benefit of our apprenticeship
program.
Our signatory contractors can contact the apprenticeship office to confirm that their apprentices are
properly registered.
New Policy
We are asking that the apprentice inform us of the county they are working in at the time of their
Re-Rate Request.
The JATEC has adopted new policy with regards to apprentice’s pay increases. BAC Local 3 will be issuing a
“dispatch” to the employer of the apprentice at the time of a pay increase. Realizing that local 3
bricklayers geographic jurisdiction encompasses five different wage scales, we are asking that the
apprentice inform us of the county they are working in at the time of their Re-Rate Request.
We are still using the same evaluation form. When the evaluation form has been completed by the employer,
and received by the apprentice office, the union will be notified and a “dispatch” will be sent to the
employer. The “dispatch”, or Introduction Slip, will show the name, address, and craft of the apprentice,
as well as the new level or percentage. It will also show the wage per hour, vacation and dues check-off,
and the applicable fringe benefits.
Should you detect an error due to an incorrect geographic area, please contact the apprenticeship office,
510-553-0991, and we will work with the union to resolve the matter.
News Worth Sharing
I received a very interesting essay
in the mail recently from fellow union member, Greg Lawrence. I found it to be a very thought
provoking read.
Recently Certified Journeymen
Bricklayers
Jimmy King
David Calderon
Local 3 Bricklayers along with Stoney Masonry donated labor and materials for a community service project
recently. Brian Cogburn, Timofey Ostapenko, Stoney Berna, Daniel Voolstra, Nick Voolstra, Federico
Contreras, and Bruce Gilmore spent a day doing what they do best, building. With materials donated by
Stoney Masonry, these bricklayers and apprentices built the walls for a concession stand and storage
room for Ranchos Babe Ruth Baseball in Madera. The fans, players and coaches will enjoy the new concession
stand for years to come . Thank you, to these fine craftsmen for showing their community spirit.
A group of apprentices and former apprentices met after work at the corner of 7th and Mission in San
Francisco recently to tour the historic United States Court of Appeals Building. The courthouse, built
as a landmark, displays an abundance of art and craftsmanship designed and built into the building.
Construction began in 1897 and was completed, at a cost of $2.5 million, in 1905. The building survived the
1906 earthquake with relatively minor damage. Years later in 1989, damage from the Loma Prieta earthquake
was more extensive and the building was closed. Congress authorized $91 million for a seismic retrofit and
historic rehabilitation. Marc Canaya, who toured the building with us, worked on the renovation along with
a number of other BAC Local 3 members. During the renovation the marble was removed from the walls to allow
access to the plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilation, and computer wiring systems which were all brought
up to today’s standards. The marble was then reinstalled, maintaining the historical character. The building
reopened in 1997.
The building is impressive the minute you enter through the ornamental bronze doors. The floors feature mosaic
floor tiles in repeating intricate patterns. The walls and columns are finished with marble and the
groin-vaulted ceilings display rough-cut marble mosaic tiles. Numerous varicolored glass skylights are
seen throughout the building. The courtrooms and hallways display unique artistic features such as carved
mahogany false doors, large mosaic murals, intricate inlays, ornate light fixtures, large arched transom
windows, 45 fireplaces, and much more. We were told, there are no records documenting the craftsmen who
worked on the building, but it is thought, that once the courthouse was completed, they went on to San Simeon
to work on the Hearst Castle.
Apprentices who toured the building were Kris Trotter, Josh Height, Marcellino Haley, Arnel Garay, Mason Coit,
Bryan Pritchett, and Dossy Monroe. Also joining us were journeymen, Al Knauer and his son, Mike Mendoza and
his wife, Mark Canaya, and contractor John Wait and his wife and son.
If you are impressed by art, craftsmanship and the stories that go along with it, you will
enjoy this tour. It takes about an hour and a half.
For tour information call 415-556-9945
Mentor -A faithful and wise advisor
As we look around the apprenticeship program, we are able to see the effects of mentoring on the overall
concept of apprenticeship. Productive mentoring relationships involve two willing participants. You have
probably heard the phrase “when the student is ready, the master will appear”.
In the case of our trades, some qualities of a mentor would be, an accomplished craftsman, good interpersonal
skills, particularly listening, able to encourage and motivate others, a desire to be part of the training
process and is able to maintain confidentiality. A mentor should be able to offer support and be a role model
for the apprentice by demonstrating high standards of performance on the job as well as a high degree of ethical
conduct. To be effective, mentors must form a relationship of trust with the apprentice that is open, frank,
direct, and at the same time supportive and encouraging.
One way a successful mentor is able to provide guidance is by asking questions. Questions can help the apprentice
relax, think, and reflect on their own experiences. This can help the apprentice realize the value of their
thoughts. The apprentice also bears some responsibility in a mentoring relationship. They should meet
regularly with their mentor, maintain confidentiality, and act on the advice of the mentor. They should
also show appreciation for the mentor offering his time and experience.
Mentors can broaden their scope by discussing their experiences with other mentors.
Zack Lambert
News from the Apprenticeship Office
Thanks Greg.
Aaron Moe
Orlando Ortiz
Timophey Ostapenko
Mahmoudou Kande
Joe Porto Jr.
PCC
Juan Cornejo-Alcibar
Louis Garcia
Congratulations for choosing a respected and rewarding craft.
Community Service Project
Historical Building Tour
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Zack Lambert