February - March 2005

International Reciprocal Agreements and the JIC Support Traveling Members

Construction work by its very nature is cyclical. When work is booming in one area of the country, it may be slow in another. When bad weather in one market brings work to a standstill, good weather in another market can contribute to a building boom.

As highly skilled masonry craftworkers, BAC members have the option to follow the work. In 2004, roughly 36 percent of the members surveyed took advantage of this option and traveled to another Local’s jurisdiction for work.

Two programs established by the International to help members interested in traveling for work are the Job Information Center (JIC) and the International Reciprocal Agreements.

JIC Connects Members with Work

The JIC was established to help out-of-work members and those who want to travel find work in areas where the demand for BAC craftworkers is greater than the Local in the area can meet. Through the JIC’s computerized job system, BAC members have access to information about job openings that are not available to non-union craftworkers. As a BAC member, you’re guaranteed union wages, benefits, protection and support when you work in another Local’s market area. All journey-level members, as well as apprentices or improvers with two or more years of experience, who are in good standing, may take advantage of this program. To learn more about the JIC visit www.bacweb.org, email jic@bacweb.org, or call 202-772-3830.

Reciprocity

When members decide to travel for work, they need to be sure that the pension and health and welfare contributions they earn while on the road will be credited to their home Locals’ benefit funds. The International Reciprocal Agreements, introduced in 2000, are helping to make sure this happens. So far, 153 funds have signed the International Reciprocal Agreements for Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Pension Plans, and 107 have signed the Health and Welfare Agreement. Their participation is already making a difference. According to the latest member survey of those who traveled for work during 2004, only 13 percent said they had a problem having their benefit contributions credited to their home Locals’ funds. This is an improvement from 22 percent who had experienced a problem in 1999, before the International Reciprocal Agreements were put in place.

To find out if your Local’s funds are signed to the International Reciprocal Agreements visit www.bacweb.org (click on Member Benefits, and click on Reciprocal Clearinghouse), or call 202-383-3985.