Thank you, President Williams, for that very kind introduction.

I know it’s no secret to anyone here, but your International president isn’t only one of the most respected voices in the building trades, he is also recognized as one of the most innovative and progressive general presidents in the labor movement today.  I feel very fortunate that he’s on my Building Trades governing board of Presidents.

Of course, I know that part of the reason why he is so effective is that he’s surrounded by a tremendous team in Ken Rigmaiden, George Galis, and your general vice presidents.  Please join me in giving them a hand?

You know it seems like it was only yesterday that Jimmy called and told me about your convention.  “Mark,” he said, “I think it’s important to make sure that the delegates have a chance to hear from the leader of the Building and Construction Trades Department so they know that the Department is being guided by a man of intelligence and foresight.”  I was about to tell him how flattered I was, then he added:  “But we weren’t sure if we could get Sean McGarvey, so we thought maybe we’d invite you instead!” 

Well, brothers and sisters, I do have to tell you how privileged I am to work with a partner like Sean McGarvey.  There are always a lot of people who like to talk about where the labor movement has been.  Well, let me assure you that Sean McGarvey is where it’s going – and the American worker is better off for it!

Before I get into my remarks, let me address the proverbial “elephant in the room”: the issue of the two unaffiliated unions.  My sincere hope is that one day, the leaders of these two unions will realize that a “House divided against itself will not stand” and re-affiliate with the House of Labor.
 
Since my first day on the job as President of the Building Trades, I have worked non-stop to reunify the trades, and bring disaffiliated unions back into our house.  As Jimmy can tell you, I have tried to cast the Building Trades Department as the “voice of reason” to not only our entire industry, but to the two disaffiliated unions as well.  I regret to report that my efforts have not been 100% successful—at least not yet.

Meanwhile, like all of you, I am frustrated and deeply concerned about the behavior of one disaffiliated union in particular.  In its attempt to raid other unions, in its refusal to participate in our jurisdictional plan, and its disruption of the PLA negotiating process in numerous places.

In an unprecedented moment in time when we are surrounded by unparalleled opportunity, our adversaries are saying “look at them—they can’t get along and if you want trouble on your job use the building trades”.

This is not a pretty picture. I fully understand your patience is frayed.  So is mine.  I don’t have a crystal ball so I don’t know what the future holds as far as re-affiliation.  We were successful in bringing the Laborers back and I’m very happy about it because President O’Sullivan is a team player.

Nevertheless, despite two empty chairs at the table my job is to protect the affiliates of the Building Trades and to build unity within our movement.  I promise you this…I will not cease my efforts until that unity is achieved.

Now, I want to get to the point and tell you that today, you and I – all of us in the building trades – have what I think could be a once in a lifetime opportunity:  It’s an opportunity to build a new kind of labor movement – and a new kind of construction industry:  An industry where our members can be confident that their hard work and dedication to their craft is going to be respected and rewarded.  An industry where employers finally recognize that a union contract isn’t a straight jacket that will eat into their profits… a union contract can be their ticket to success.
 
In short, an industry where our members and their employers don’t battle each other as enemies; but work together as allies.  Now, I know that’s the kind of industry your union is committed to building.

Your LMCI ought to be a model for every trade unionist in the U.S. and Canada who believes in fundamentally redefining labor-management relations.  And it should be!!!!!  Because, brothers and sisters, there’s only one business model that can create the kind of construction industry our two countries desperately need:  It’s a business model based on cooperation and change, not confrontation.

And you know that cooperation and change is something our unions must do to survive!!!  Just look at the theme of this convention: “Change Makes Us Stronger.”  Change is something that the IUPAT understands.

Well, I’m here to tell you the Building and Construction Trades Department understands that, too.  Because Sean and I are challenging each of our state, local and provincial councils to change by making a conscious decision.  A decision to join with us, Jim Williams, and the other 12 Presidents of our national and international unions in an effort to systematically re-vitalize the union construction industry brand.

In short, we need to destroy those negative perceptions and stereotypes and commit ourselves to the only strategy that will allow us to reclaim market share—a strategy based on value!

There’s only one, winning strategy to beat the open shop: it’s with productivity and the quality of our work.  It’s by giving contractors the best value for their dollar.

Let me say it another way.  The only way we’re going to beat the open shop is to stop trying to beat the open shop and deliver what we are trained to deliver - pride, professionalism, productivity and value.  President Obama and Vice President Biden are giving us the opportunity to do just that.  But we can’t get caught up in the game we’ve been playing of “unions versus the open shop”.
 
Yes, in the short run, restoring PLAs and re-committing the federal government to Davis-Bacon creates jobs for our members.  But, more than that, it gives us what could be our last chance to demonstrate what union contractors and their employees can achieve.  It allows us to show owners and contractors and community leaders and government officials alike that working together, labor and management can deliver unmatched quality work on time and below budget.

And, I’ll tell you something that I’ve come to believe—we don’t have any other choice if we are going to remain relevant in a world of constant change. We have to change because on Capitol Hill the ABC is looking for any example they can find to make the case that PLAs and Davis-Bacon may be good for the Building Trades, but they’re a disaster for the American taxpayer.

They know that every time we deliver as promised and expected their case against us is going to be exposed for what it is—unsubstantiated continuous rhetoric.

No one can argue against the facts Brothers and Sisters and that is why we have to make every job a model job.  That’s why I tell people that while Barack Obama may be providing us a jump start with some jobs, he’s really offering us is a chance:  a chance to demonstrate to our members that value isn’t just some slogan – it’s the principle that must guide us every single day!

And that’s where you come in.  Because while Jim Williams, Sean McGarvey and I can talk about the need to change you’re the people on the front lines who can make change happen where it counts the most:  On the job site.

So, in that respect, I didn’t come here to praise you; I’ve come to challenge you.  Because it’s within your power to decide whether we’re going to continue to be undermined by all the damaging stereotypes and misperceptions that a lot of people have about us and our unions.
 
It’s within your power to see to it that the media and the public understand that our members are the best-trained and most productive skilled craftspeople in the U.S. and Canada.

It’s within your power to decide whether we take advantage of the unique opportunity we have before us, or whether we continue down the path we’re on.  A path that can only lead to less market share for union contractors and fewer jobs for union members.

I don’t have to tell you about the kinds of challenges your members and all construction workers in North America are facing today.  In the United States thousands can’t find work.  The unemployment rate in our industry is the highest in the nation. 

The economic hardships faced by construction workers are at a level that hasn’t been seen since the Great Depression…and those who are working are exposed to dangers no man or woman should ever have to face on-the-job.  Silica exposure, lead exposure, safety hazards and a laundry list of threats that are costing all construction workers their good health – and even their lives.  In the United States alone, four construction workers lose their lives every day. And death doesn’t differentiate between union and non-union.

And don’t lose sight of the fact that this was all a gift to you from the failed policies of George W. Bush.  Thank God the SOB is gone.

180 – focus on this number for a moment.  That’s how long President Obama has been in office and he’s gone a long way toward turning the United States back around in six short months despite what the conservatives are saying.

The indisputable truth is that workers in this industry have never needed unions more than they need them right now.  That’s why all of us have been working so hard to pass the Employee Free Choice Act…and why we’re going to continue to do whatever it takes to make it the law of this land.
 
We cannot accept some watered down legislation that some of the people we helped get into office are suggesting.  But it’s going to take more than changing the law to rebuild the labor movement – we also have to change ourselves to keep pace with the needs of this industry.

Brothers and sisters, the Painters and Allied Trades are truly at a historic juncture.  A juncture where you have the opportunity to embrace great change and unprecedented opportunity...or a juncture, where if you do nothing, you will emerge weaker and marginalized.

It’s your choice.  Don’t look at Jim, Ken or George to make the changes.  Don’t look to your brother on your right or your sister on the left to make the changes.  The future of the Painters and Allied Trades rests with you.  It’s in your hands as one member, one individual, to demonstrate to every owner and every contractor…that you are the most highly skilled, productive and professional craft person in North America and that your mission is Value on Display.  Every day.

Jim Williams can tell you that I’m not generally given to slinging around Latin sayings, (and neither is he!) but there is one I’ve always liked.  Now, I won’t even attempt to pronounce it in Latin—but it translates as:  “All things are subject to change, and we change with them.”

Brother and sisters, our economy has changed, our industry has changed, and our members have changed—and it’s up to us to change with them.  Because, in this day and age if we are not changing, if we are not innovating, if we are standing still—then we are moving backwards! And that’s not what we’re about!!!

Change!  As the theme of this convention suggests that’s what the Painters are all about!  That’s what the Building Trades are all about!  And, in 2009, that’s what this country is all about!  “Change you can believe in.”
 
I know that the members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Crafts are up to the task.  I know that it will be your members leading the way providing the leadership to all crafts that will result in union market share growing exponentially.

Brothers and sisters, we finally have the football and its 4th and goal.  Fumbling the ball is not an option so let’s drive it right into the end zone.  Leave this convention with a “YES WE CAN” spirit.

May God bless America and Canada and may God bless this great union!