Brazos Masonry Signs With Bricklayers' Union

In signing an agreement with the BAC, Mackie Bounds, CEO and

Owner of Waco-based Brazos Masonry, cited growing demand for skilled masonry workers in Texas and Okalahoma.

Brazos Masonry Partners With Local BAC

Mackie Bounds, CEO and owner of Brazos Masonry of Waco, recently signed an agreement with Local 5 Oklahoma/Arkansas/ Texas of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers after 15 years of operating without a collective bargaining agreement.

"We welcome Brazos Masonry's commitment to the labor-management process and are confident that this cooperative partnership will expand work opportunities for Brazos Masonry and for BAC members," said BAC president John J. Flynn.

"This was the best business decision I've ever made," Bounds said. "Brazos had two high-profile projects in the Panhandle - the Globe-News Center of Performing Arts in Amarillo and the Texas Tech residence hall in Lubbock - but there weren't enough skilled masonry workers in those areas. So we went to the BAC for recruitment and training.

"I can't say enough about the quality of their work and their work ethic - as far as I'm concerned, I want Brazos to be union shop on all of our projects," he said.

A key factor was the use of BAC's Mobile Training Units, which went to Brazos job sites in Amarillo and Lubbock, "and turned unskilled workers into well-trained, highly skilled bricklayers," Bounds added. BAC president Flynn said that the mobile units are creating new opportunities "for our members not only in Texas, but around the country."

The Mobile Training Units allow art instruction on topics ranging from the installation of new materials to jobsite safety and journey-level upgrade courses.

The BAC says the units are helping the organization meet many of its goals including providing access to good jobs that provide quality benefits and safe work environments. "Training is the way we can keep our members competitive and ensure that the art of masonry survives in this age of automation and new materials," said Ed Navarro, president of the BAC Local 5 Oklahoma/Arkansas/Texas. "The success of this project is demonstrated by the commitment of Brazos Masonry, a company with which we are proud to work and with whom we look forward to building a long-lasting relationship."

The Mobile Training Units, which are currently deployed in Amarillo and Lubbock, will continue to move throughout the region to host programs and provide training to Local Union members, with plans to launch more units during the next several months.

Volvo Opens New Center in Austin

Volvo Construction Equipment Rents Inc. has announced the opening of a new independently owned Volvo Rents equipment rental center in Austin.

The ToolBelt LP has opened its first metropolitan Austin Volvo Rents center at 1910 West Pecan in Pflugerville. The new rental center will carry, in addition to Volvo construction equipment, a comprehensive line of essential equipment and tools for the construction, commercial, industrial and homeowner markets.

Principal Volvo products for its franchised rental centers include its extensive line of compact excavators and wheel loaders and the company's backhoe and skid steer loader.

McCarthy, Green Mountain Partner

Green Mountain Energy Co., Gatehouse Capital Corp., McCarthy Building Cos. Inc. and Victory have joined forces to build Dallas' first landmark hotel using cleaner electricity. By purchasing Green Mountain Energy electricity, the W Dallas Victory Hotel & Residences project could help reduce its share of carbon dioxide pollution during the construction process. This is the first time a major building in the city has been built using cleaner electricity.

The electricity being purchased for the construction of the W Dallas project is cleaner than typical system power in Texas.