Unionized bricklayers across North America will soon learn the history behind contemporary challenges facing them as union members, craft workers, employees and citizens, thanks in part to the West Virginia University Institute for Labor Studies and Research.

Sam White, Ph.D., and Jessica Ice, Ph.D., of the Institute were awarded a contract from the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, known as the BAC, to help develop the project — an educational film series rooted in labor history — to encourage the union members to become involved in present-day affairs.

“This project is an opportunity to hold true to our mission of strengthening labor-management relations at the local, state, national and international levels,” said Ice. “We have a unique position to educate tens of thousands of union members through innovative use of film, which is far more interesting, engaging and relatable than traditional methods.”

White and Ice will develop 12 film-based educational modules for local unions and apprentice programs to educate members about labor history and encourage them to think about their modern-day roles. The modules will address themes of union challenges, health and safety, labor-management cooperation and craftwork.

The educational modules will include a short film highlighting a historical subject along with a set of resources to help facilitators deliver the content during regular meetings.

“The research materials created from this innovative partnership will reach many of the journeymen and apprentices in the masonry trades, and will create a common departure point for discussions about the issues confronting all craft workers today,” said White.

White and Ice will present the first two modules to attendees at the BAC’s international convention to be held in Baltimore this September, an opportunity to reach unionized workers, union leaders and other stakeholders from across North America.

“Labor’s important history should not be the secret it is to most people,” said James Boland, general president of the BAC. “Without knowing both our successes and our failures, it is hard to understand our current challenges. We are pleased to be partnering with WVU in developing this series of educational modules for our locals, district councils and apprentices.”

The BAC is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has 77,000 members in 50 locals throughout the United States and Canada. Together with masonry contractors’ associations, the BAC operates the International Masonry institute in Bowie, Maryland, as well as local registered apprentice programs across North America.

WVU Extension’s Institute for Labor Studies and Research, located at WVU’s main Morgantown campus, provides teaching and research programs to improve labor-management relations.

Connecting the people of West Virginia to the University’s resources and programs is the primary goal of WVU Extension Service and its 55 offices throughout the state. Local experts, like WVU Extension’s agents and specialists, work to help improve the lifestyles and well-being of youths, workforces, communities, farms and businesses through trusted research in the counties in which they serve.

To learn more about WVU Extension programs, visit www.ext.wvu.edu, or contact your local office of the WVU Extension Service.

-WVU-

zl/07/14/15

CONTACT: Cassie Thomas, WVU Extension Service
304.293.8735, Cassie.Thomas@mail.wvu.edu

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