Apprenticeship Today

Local 3 Apprentices Compete in Western States Bricklaying Contest

The Western States Apprentice Contest was held on May 31 in San Diego. The event was hosted by Local 4 and Local 18 of So. California. Twenty six contestants, from California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico, competed in the annual event.

Jacob Amos of Local 1 Oregon was the first place winner this year. Congratulations also to, Kristian Trotter, the top contestant from Local 3 CA, who placed eighth overall. Other contestants from Local 3 were Kenneth Jones, Joel Lopez, Marcelo Lopez, Sean Pengilly, Jacob Cobb, and Daniel Gonzalez.

Next year the Western States Contest will be hosted by Local 1 Oregon. The 2009 contest will include a Marble Mason project, in addition to the Bricklayer and Tile Layer competitions. The 2009 Western States Contest will serve as the mechanism for selecting contestants for the next International Contest which is scheduled for the fall of 2009.

News from the Apprentice Office

Travel Reimbursements

Travel reimbursement checks were mailed on June 25. The JATEC has authorized travel reimbursements for apprentices who live distant from the training center. Distances are measured by crow, with the per class rates listed below;

Milage Chart
35 to 50 miles	$10
50 to 75 miles	$25
75 to 100 miles	$30
100 + miles	$40

In addition to the mileage chart, apprentices must receive full credit for the class dates to receive reimbursement. Apprentices should make every effort to be at school on time.

The travel reimbursement checks mailed on June 25 are for the last nine classes of the 2007-2008 school year. Reimbursements for the first half of the 2008-2009 school year will be mailed on January 28, 2009.

If you have any questions pertaining to travel reimbursement contact the Apprenticeship Office.

Local Contest

We will hold our Local 3 Apprentice Bricklaying Contest in Fresno this year. The contest is scheduled for April 18, 2009 at our Fresno training facility, located at 2698 North Brawley Avenue. The local contest typically consists of twenty to twenty five contestants competing for a chance to advance to the Western States Contest.

First Aid / CPR, Fresno

We have scheduled a First Aid / CPR class for Bricklayer apprentices at the Fresno school. The class will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2008.

Applications

We take applications at the apprentice Office in Oakland each week day between the hours of 8:30 am and 11:30 am. Applicants for apprenticeship should bring their High School Diploma or equivalent. If you know of someone interested in joining one of our training programs, ask them to contact the Apprenticeship Office, 510-553-0991.

If you see a new apprentice on your jobsite, ask if he or she has registered with the Apprenticeship Office. If they have not, ask them to contact us.

Recently Certified Journeymen

PCC

Ricardo Brito

Congratulations for choosing a respected and rewarding craft.

Masonry Skills Challenge

The Masonry Skills Challenge for apprentices and the Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition for Journeymen will be held at the Basalite Plant in Dixon on September 20. The Competition is open to both union and non union bricklayers. The apprentice contest is broken down into three levels of competition, based on length of time in the training program. Apprentices that are interested in competing should contact the Apprenticeship Office for registration. Apprentices who compete will receive school credit plus a chance to advance to the next level of competition in Las Vegas in February, 2009.

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Union Participation

There are numerous ways for apprentices and journeymen to participate in their union. One is by attending local union meetings. By doing this you will become somewhat familiar with the issues your union leaders are involved with, as well as hearing feedback from the membership. Union members, often, share thoughts and ideas that, in their view, would serve to benefit the union as a whole. Be reluctant to adopt the ideas of others as your own. Only after broad independent research and consideration, should you arrive at your own opinion. Your union will be better served by a member who thinks independently and brings up unique solutions, rather than someone who, easily, accepts the general consensus of others. The union leaders ultimately make the decisions, but those decisions are often reflective of the views and opinions voiced by the membership. Unfortunately a large portion of union members do not attend local union meetings. If you are in this group, you are in this “silent majority”. The majority, only in the fact that you are silent. Local 3 holds monthly meetings in Castroville, San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, San Francisco, Oakland, and Manteca. Check our web site for specific times and locations. Union Meetings

You and your union will be better served if you become more involved. The survival and strength of any union is dependent upon the motivation, ability, and opportunity of it’s members to participate in union activities and events.

Zack Lambert