PAGE 14 | October 5, 2018 | NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
Members of Bricklayers Local 1 at work in the early 1900s.
Bricklayers Local 1 celebrates 125 years
If it was the brick house that
stood strong against the big bad
wolf, that’s because brick is
built to last. So are the local
unions of Bricklayers and Al-
lied Crafts (BAC). This year
marks the 125th anniversary of
BAC Local 1 of Oregon and
Southwest Washington.
BAC Local 1 began on May
22, 1893, when 56 members of
an existing organization — the
Bricklayers Benevolent and
Protective Union — got a char-
ter from a 28-year-old national
union then known as the Brick-
layers and Masons Union of
America.
Most U.S.-based trade
unions give each local affiliate
a unique number. Bricklayers
designates the first local in each
area as Local 1, so there’s a
Bricklayers Local 1 of Min-
nesota/North Dakota, a Local 1
of Philadelphia, and so on.
At the time, they worked 60
hour weeks for $6 a day. The
union allowed them to $8 a
week if they became sick or
disabled (unless the condition
was caused by drunkenness or
other immoral conduct.”
For the local that began as
ONLINE EXTRA
More images from the BAC Local 1
celebration and pin dinner are on-
line at https://bit.ly/2ImRaYV
Local 1 Portland, it was a tough
first year. A financial collapse
known as the Panic of
1893 produced a severe na-
tional depression that lasted un-
til 1897. By 1894, Local 1 had
116 members, and 100 of them
were officially out of work
(Actually, to the consternation
of their fellow members, 23 of
them were scabbing, working
non-union.)
Business cycles have always
been a hazard for the local, as
with every construction union.
But when there was work to
be had, the local set out to make
it good work, at good pay.
Turn to Page 18
FORTY YEARS OF DEFENDING UNION WAGES AND BENEFITS. Local 1 business managers going back to
1977 were there for the union’s 125th birthday. From left: John Mohlis (1994-2001), Keith Wright (2001-2011),
Jim McNanny (1977-1993) and Matt Eleazer (2011 to date).
PORTLAND’S LIVING ROOM: Pioneer Courthouse Square was
laid by, you guessed it, union bricklayers. Above, Friends of Pioneer
Square president Philip Bogue accepts a ceremonial brick Septem-
ber 1981 from Local 1, contractors, and the masonry training cen-
ter. From left: Tilesetter apprentice coordinator Chuck Phelps,
William Billings, Bogue, Bill Belanger
THREE GENERATIONS OF BRICKLAYERS? Brad Crom and his son Zach
are members of Bricklayers Local 1. Will Zach’s son follow them into the
trade?
