BAC LOCAL 8 SOUTHEAST

International Overdose Awareness Day

Drug overdose is a leading cause of death in the United States and Canada, and construction workers are affected at even higher rates than average. With the widespread circulation of fentanyl, a highly lethal synthetic opioid, the crisis has worsened and families and communities across North America have been left shattered. 

Public health initiatives to reduce drug overdose deaths (such as wider spread access to naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication) appear to have promising results given the recent drop in annual overdose fatalities, which means we must keep building momentum and advocating for efforts to help save lives. The BAC Member Assistance Program (MAP) is ready to support any member or their loved ones who may be at risk for an overdose. 

Whether you are experiencing substance use challenges and need information or help, are seeking grief counseling following a loss related to an overdose, are wanting to learn more about overdose death prevention pathways and harm reduction, or would like to further discuss any other aspect of substance use, overdose, or prevention, please contact the BAC Member Assistance Program by calling 1-833-MAP-TALK, M-F, 8am-7pm ET. 

Stronger Standards, Safer Workers: The Fight Against Silica Dust

Construction workers face various hazards from fall risks to heat illnesses, however, no hazard may be more difficult to spot than silica dust. Unlike more visible dangers on a jobsite, silica dust often lingers in the air unnoticed, making it particularly dangerous. Before the BAC and other unions helped to push the 2016 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) silica safety standard, around 2 million construction workers in the US alone were being exposed to crystalline silica annually. This widespread exposure meant that a significant portion of the workforce faced long-term health risks simply by performing everyday job tasks, often without realizing the severity of the danger.

Prevailing Wages: Myth vs. Fact

Prevailing wages on federally funded construction projects have not only stabilized local wage rates and labor standards for local wage earners and local contractors, but also prevented low-road contractors from bringing in low-rate workers from out of state. Even though the Davis-Bacon Act serves as a pillar holding up workers' rights, organizations like Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) have shared myths about the benefits of prevailing wages.