Our Mission
North America's Union Masonry Contractors is an association of contractors committed to the free collective bargaining process for the employment of superior craftworkers. These contractors engage in installation of brick and block, stone, tile, terrazzo, marble, refractory materials, acid brick, plaster, stucco, cement finishing, pointing, cleaning and caulking work. These contractors are located in the United States of America and Canada. UMC is resident in Washington, DC and organized under US law and recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service as a not for profit 501-C-6 organization. The primary purpose of UMC and its affiliated entities is to engage in labor management dialogues with the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers and its constituent local unions located in the United States and Canada. The contractor members and officers of UMC and the officers of the BAC are committed to working in harmonious fashion in the furtherance of the collective bargaining process; and to increase the opportunities for contractors to secure additional and profitable contracts and to enhance the work opportunities for members of the union. The union and UMC work together in the management of joint industry promotional activities, training activities and management of health, welfare and pension funds and savings funds.
Labor Relations
The primary purpose of UMC and its affiliate entities is to engage in labor relations matters with the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) and its constituent local unions. The contractor members and officers of UMC are committed to working in harmony with the BAC to further the collective bargaining process, to enhance work opportunities for members of the union and to increase business opportunities for union contractors. The union and UMC work together in the management of joint industry promotion, training, research and health, welfare, pension and savings funds.
Since its inception, UMC’s officers, Executive Director, and members of its Board of Directors have sat with officers of the BAC on the boards of the International Health and Pension Funds and the International Masonry Institute (IMI), as well as served on industry-wide joint committees.
In addition to making appointments, UMC has had a role in the development and administration of many of the national and international agreements with the BAC, including the Special International Masonry Industry Agreement (also known as the ICE Agreement) and the National Refractory Agreement, which have been effective means for our contractors to operate outside of local areas where they are currently signatory to a local BAC agreement.U MC’s CEO also serves as management-side representative on the IMI Dispute Settlement Plan.
UMC is recognized as an integral part of labor/management efforts in the unionized masonry industry. In 1998, the BAC Executive Council passed a resolution recognizing UMC as effective partners, supporting the development of UMC chapters, and urging all BAC Locals and affiliates to “be prepared to work with signatory contractors and UMC to make such new institutions successful and effective.”
UMC has been instrumental in the establishment of the Joint Refractory Industry Committee with the BAC to identify and address important issues in the refractory sector of our industry. UMC staff, board members and affiliates have been working with union representatives on an increasing number of BAC, Building Trades and joint task forces and committees to address the industry’s most critical needs, covering important subjects like Skills Shortages, Health and Safety, Reciprocity of Benefits and Apprenticeship and Training. A broader part of its membership has been given the opportunity to have their voices heard through the BAC Labor/Management Craft Committees, These labor/management committees, which began as labor only committees, guide the union and IMI on craft/market-specific efforts. In short, the management voice is now being heard more clearly than ever, and it is producing real and tangible results.
Legislative Advocacy
UMC represents its contractor members on state and federal legislative matters that concern signatory masonry contractors. UMC aims to encourage, stimulate and provide the opportunity for UMC Affiliates to take a more active role in political and government activities that affect the unionized masonry industry by:
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Monitoring the legislative environment for laws and regulations that will effect the unionized masonry industry and proactively seeking to influence legislation to the benefit of the industry and UMC membership;
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Providing support for candidates for office, political party committees and other organizations that support our issues;
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Educating UMC members on current legislative and political issues and providing them with guidance on actions they can take to help address the issues;
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Organizing meetings, forums and other political activities to give UMC membership the opportunity to communicate our issues directly to lawmakers
To that end, UMC is an active member of the Construction Employers of America, a coalition of seven premier national construction specialty contracting associations, working together to raise awareness among policymakers, opinion leaders, and the general public, about the value of high-quality American construction. CEA engages on national, state, and local public policy initiatives to strengthen the domestic construction industry and provide opportunities for top-quality construction workers to earn the skills they need to command high wages.
Collective Bargaining
In addition to it's role in developing and administering National and International Agreements, UMC's staff has significant experience and knowledge in collective bargaining in the Union masonry industry and can provide advice to associations and contractors regarding collective bargaining. If the staff can't answer a question, the question can be referred to the UMC Advisory Panel.
UMC Advisory Panel
UMC Affiliates with questions or concerns about the negotiating process or their specific negotiations can contact the UMC office and summarize the question. If UMC staff cannot answer the question, UMC will match the affiliate with UMC Board members with significant negotiations experience, knowledge and expertise who can answer the question.
Direct Assistance
UMC staff is available to travel to an affiliate’s area to assist in local negotiations upon request. The UMC staff member will also have access to the whole UMC Advisory Panel while providing direct assistance. Advisory Panel members may also be available to provide direct assistance.
Safety & Health
UMC has been representing the unionized masonry contractor in Safety & Health matters from its inception. UMC’s officers and staff have worked with the BAC and other industry Safety and Health Committees. UMC works with the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) to advocate for legislation, rules and standards that benefit union masonry contractors while protecting their workers.
On behalf of union masonry contractors, UMC:
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Monitors industry trends for potential safety implications that may effect the businesses of UMC members;
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Works with the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers to jointly address industry safety issues in a manner that protects workers while maintaining the competitiveness of unionized employers;
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Monitors the legislative environment for laws and regulations that will effect safety and health practices in the unionized masonry industry and proactively seeks to influence legislation, standards and processes;
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Keeps UMC members up to date on all OSHA requirements and fosters better safety environments for contractors and their employees;
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Identifies, prioritizes, develops, evaluates and supports the implementation and use of appropriate tools, models and Best Practices to address critical safety and health issues.
Established in November 2010, the Masonry Research to Practice (r2p) Partnership is a tri-partite coalition between UMC the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, and the International Masonry Institute to advance the use of evidence-based solutions for safety and health issues facing the masonry industry.
Education
UMC Annual Meeting
Each Fall, UMC gathers contractors and contractor reps from across the country to Washington, DC for its well-regarded Annual Meeting, which includes the Collective Bargaining Conference, market analyses, technology update, issue education, Capitol Hill meetings and the awarding of the Eugene George Dedication Award and the Industry Person of the Year Award.
Contractor College
UMC’s staff and board worked with the IMI staff to develop the education and certification program for the unionized mason contractor. Contractor College provides an on-going, coordinated curriculum of specialized courses to help contractors develop the skills they need to improve their business practices regardless of size, volume or the type of work they engage in.
Contractor College positions aspiring, new, and established union contractors to successfully start and grow their business. The program is suitable for company owners, staff, supervisors, and estimators.
Our programming is created to help you navigate increasingly complex projects while meeting the needs of all parties involved in designing and constructing them.
IMI Contractor Education
UMC also works with IMI to develop other eduction programs and webinars designed for UMC/IMI contractors. The IMI Portal provides exclusive access to webinars designed to help BAC signatory contractors advance their business.
Topics covered include new work opportunities, building science information and research, the latest materials and tools, updates on codes and standards, and construction project management.
Register for live sessions and access hours of on-demand education at your convenience. Contact IMI to request access to the Portal, or login with your account to start learning. TAKE ME TO THE PORTAL
