Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Add New Labor Management Consultant
In addition to what the International Masonry Institute (IMI) provides to support the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers (BAC) contractors and installers, The BAC New Jersey Labor Management Committee recently hired consultant Jim Rizzo to bolster efforts toward building relationships and touting the benefits of union labor and contractors. The Trustees of the fund felt more could be done promoting the unionized masonry industry than in years past utilizing the unique relationship of union labor and contractors in New Jersey.
Mr. Rizzo brings with him over 40 years of experience within the construction industry. Starting off working for a mason contractor during his high school years, Jim went on to work full time with Local 472 while earning two college degrees in criminal justice and labor relations. Later joining an asphalt company, Jim collected account receivables, as well as operating in sales and management. He also spent 20 years as a business development executive with various concrete companies throughout the state of New Jersey.
Acting as a conduit between the union, signatory contractors, associations, and representatives, Jim seeks to increase the awareness of the skills that union-trained masonry and labor bring to the table. His role as a consultant is not that of a labor organizer, but as an advocate for all relevant stakeholders. One of Mr. Rizzo’s many roles, is to track masonry/construction trends, identifying opportunities and the changes in the economy that may impact the unionized masonry industry.
Jim has hit the ground running, meeting with key decision makers, conveying the benefits to teaming up with the BAC, union labor and the professionalism of their signatory General and Sub contractors. A big message to those decision makers: level the playing field. “When we speak of a level playing field, there is a common theme. A shortage of skilled labor needed to meet current construction demand and the use of an underground labor pool relentlessly putting wages, safety, skill, labor, and our finished product in a downward direction.” Jim also preaches the disadvantage union signatory contractors are put in when competing against the “underground” construction economy.
Mr. Rizzo has already sat down with IMI’s Dan Siteman here in NJ to discuss ways to highlight and promote the high-level training programs for BAC craftworkers, as well as contractor groups who require specialized skillsets in niche markets.
In his spare time, Jim also gives back to the community – working with several charities including the 200 Club which supports first responders and Shepherds of Youth that works with Newark students.