BAC - Key Persons
Harry Bates became president of the union in 1935. He served until 1960, and was instrumental in expanding the Union's participation in the creation of national policy. Bates helped to pass the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, a nationwide program to develop low-cost housing for workers. He worked to make fair labor standards a part of defense policy, and negotiated to ensure that 95 percent of defense construction would be performed with union members. Bates also participated in the development of the Seabees, the Construction Battalion of the U.S. Navy, and chaired the convention that voted to merge the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Unions to form the AFL-CIO.
Brick, Block and Stone Mason. BAC member since 1996. Became a Field Representative in 2020. Covers most of the 20 northern counties of California from Sacramento to the Oregon border and the Coast to Nevada.
Job Titles:
- Secretary - Treasurer / BAC Member since 2005. Graduated from Bricklayer Apprenticeship in 2009. Organizer for BAC since 2019. Trustee on Brick Pension, Vacation and Apprenticeship Trust Funds
BAC Member since 1990, Secretary Treasurer 2015 - 2021, Elected to Management Committee 2007, (PCC) Pointer, Cleaner, Caulker - Masonry Restoration Journeyman. Graduated from bricklayer apprenticeship program in 1994. Apprenticeship instructor for 11 years. Trustee on Tile & Brick Pension, Health & Welfare and Apprenticeship Funds.
William J. Bowen was elected BAC president in 1904. Under his leadership BAC's craft jurisdiction expanded. In 1917, for example, tilelayers became part of the Union. By 1928, when he left office, BAC's membership had grown to roughly 130,000 members. But the Great Depression took its toll. By 1933, the Union's membership dropped to 35,000.