TCAA and IUBAC Working Together
by: John Trendell
Each year TCAA contractors participate in the annual winter labor/management meetings hosted by the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC). We come together to gain information and updated knowledge on training programs, safety, new materials, unique ceramic tile installation projects, and national trends in construction. This year proved to be another successful collaboration of ideas and insights.
A case study of a massive tile project by Lifetime Fitness in Chicago showed how time constraints, craftsmanship challenges, and even COVID could not keep this project from being successfully completed by the TCAA contractors and the IUBAC craftworkers involved. The project has already become a downtown jewel of how city-living and personal well-being can go hand-in-hand.
The Pittsburgh IUBAC local gave a presentation on an extraordinary first of its kind continuing education program for ceramic tile craftworkers called Tile Expo. The presenter, Anthony Joseph, training director for Pittsburgh, not only provided great information, but also gave everyone a set of handouts that would give any local complete “cookbook” directions for putting on their own Tile Expo together.
SICIS, an Italian tile manufacturer with offices in the US, introduced a new Glass Tile Panel. The styles and designs are limitless with this product. But installation, like all of our ceramic/stone/glass materials, is key for any product. That’s why SICIS is working with TCAA and IUBAC to ensure their material becomes a great success.
Probably the most important national discussion for construction, and construction materials, is reducing embodied carbon (EC). The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) reported on their efforts to make sure that ceramic tile is shown to be an outstanding product that really does compete well with other building products. In fact, TCNA is gathering with all stakeholders in the flooring industry, nationwide, for a Sustainability Summit in Washington, DC July 17-18. TCAA, along with the IUBAC, will, of course, be attending this summit.
Like any successful partnership, we at TCAA and our partners, IUBAC, know that working together ensures success for all of us.
