International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC)

What It Is

The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers is North America's oldest continuously operating trade union. Founded in 1865 as the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers International Union of America, it changed its name several times as its membership grew and adopted its current name in 1995. It represents the full range of trowel trades in the United States and Canada: bricklayers, stone and marble masons, cement masons, plasterers, tile setters, terrazzo and mosaic workers, and the pointers, cleaners, and caulkers who restore old masonry. Through the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation and local joint apprenticeship committees, BAC runs apprenticeship and continuing training at more than 65 centers, including the John J. Flynn International Training Center outside Washington, D.C.

Why It Matters

For someone entering the trade, BAC is one of the main doors in. Its apprenticeships are the union-sponsored programs BLS describes, where an apprentice earns a wage while learning blueprint reading, math, codes, and safety, and comes out as a journey worker. The union also created credentials, such as its Historic Masonry Certificate and its work with the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation on advanced tile certifications, that let experienced craftworkers prove specialized skills. That masons and tile setters have belonged to the same organization for more than 160 years also reminds us that these are two branches of one craft.