I would like to begin by announcing my retirement on August 1^st 2008. The new Financial Recording Secretary will be Vice-President Paul Shymske. This was done according to IU and Local 5 Constitution which states when a officer leaves office with less then two years, an appointment to that office will be made by the Local 5 President and the Executive Board. Brother Shymske will retain the position till the next Local election. It’s hard to imagine that 43 years have passed since I began my apprenticeship with Local 5. I met a lot of fellow bricklayers and tradesmen along the way. By far the Union construction workers are always first to stand and help a fellow Brother. I wish I could thank each and every Brother that helped me along the way but I would run out of space. The best advice I can tell our young members is to get involved in the Union. Go to meetings, run for an elected office. I tried many times and came up just short.  But when the time came at a Union Meeting for a chance to run for the Secretary’s job, I was there to put my hat in the ring. In 1982 a Benevolent Board member was getting ready to retire. The other Board members looked for a young Brother that came to meetings and was interested in the Union.  They picked me and I have been active on the board and became the benevolent secretary. To our young members its not what can the Union do for me, its what I can do for the Union. I can’t thank the Union enough for the opportunity to make a decent wage while working at the trade and to be able to serve our members as the Secretary Treasurer. Hope to see a lot of our members and their families July 20th at the Bricklayers Picnic.     (By Tom Cowan)

To our members who do not have a current drug free card: We are receiving word from our contractors that they will not hire anyone that cannot produce a current card. If your card has lapsed call Dave Wondolowski (216-780-8645) to make arrangements to be tested. As workers comp costs soar, more and more contractors will want a complete compliance to reduce their insurance costs.