IUPAT DC 6 members elect new BM/ST
Members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6 overwhelmingly elected Jim Black Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer on June 13.
Black took roughly 77 percent of the votes, as he defeated John Kintyhtt, according to results provided by DC 6.
District Council 6 is made up of 19 IUPAT Local Unions, including drywall finishing, painting, glazing and sign and display. Its jurisdiction covers nearly all of Ohio, with the exception of the southeast area of the state. It also includes a handful of counties in Indiana and more than 30 Kentucky counties.
The election began at 6 a.m. and ended at 12:30 p.m., with the results announced around 5 p.m. the same day.
During the day, Black, along with his slate of candidates, were camped out in the DC 6 Union Hall parking in Strongsville waiting for the Election Committee to announce the results.
Immediately following the announcement, all candidates were sworn in.
For Black, it was a mix of emotions as he heard the results.
“I felt relief, jubilation and excitement,” he said. “It was a long campaign, and it was very gratifying and humbling knowing that nearly 80 percent of the voters chose me and
my team.”
Black was quick to point out that winning by a large margin means the members have high expectations.
“With this big win comes responsibility, and as I told the members while campaigning, I work for them,” he added.
On April 1, DC 6 BM/ST Jim Sherwood retired after more than a decade at the helm. Days later, DC 6 Delegates voted Black the interim BM/ST.
Now, following the General Election, members have removed the interim title, Black now has more freedom than he did prior to the election to put his stamp on the future direction of the District Council.
At the top of his list is modernizing the way the DC 6 operates.
Black likened the payment options for member dues or contractor remittance to being stuck in the Stone Age.
“Online payment options are needed,” he said. “A lot of our members travel and the only way they can pay their dues is by a check or money order.”
Online transactions are not only more convenient for the members, but they can help DC 6 signatory contractors become more efficient in their administrative processes.
It also impacts recruitment.
“Our goal is to decrease the average age of our members, which is 43,” said Black. “The younger generation doesn’t know what a money order is, and some of them don’t have checking accounts.”
When it comes to recruitment, Black is pushing ahead on an initiative began by Sherwood - expanding the DC 6 presence in Lexington, Ky.
“It’s a big task,” said Black. “We have to have contractors in the area, so we approached the traveling contractors who were working at the University of Kentucky and told them of our plan.
“We hired a great organizer, just opened an office and now have local, Lexington members whom the contractors can hire,” he added.
Black, who previously served as the District Council’s North Field Director and Business Representative for Glaziers Local 181, also credited the contractors for having the understanding that there needs to be a big push to attract new apprentices.
“We adjusted the first-year apprentice wage rate to 65 percent of the journeyman rate,” he said. “The younger members don’t care much about the pension or health insurance. They want more on the paycheck, and I credit our contractors for recognizing this.”
There will be a greater emphasis on targeting high school students to educate them about the career opportunities that begin with an apprenticeship in the finishing trades, he added.
Other goals include increasing the number of contractors, growing the membership, expanding market share and creating a steward’s program.
Compared to his prior positions within DC 6, there are more duties and responsibilities on his plate, but Black credited his mentor, Sherwood, for helping him prepare for the role.
A 28-year member of Glaziers Local 181, Black topped out and became a leader in the Local at age of 25. He started by serving on the Executive Board as Warden and worked his way up to Local Union President.
Early in his career, he did not plan on being a Business Representative or BM/ST, but that is where his career took him.
He went from working with the tools to dealing with day-to-day member issues as the Business Representative to dealing with more administrative issues as the Director of Service – North.
As his career progressed, Sherwood helped him navigate the roles.
As Service Director – North, Black said he often worked hand-in-hand with Sherwood. Without that guidance, Black felt it could have been an overwhelming task to step into the top leadership position.
Black also credited the DC 6 staff for rallying around him when he was elected Interim BM/ST. Combined, the Business Representatives have over 550 years of industry experience in the various trades represented by the District Council and their support was huge.
At a time when most areas within the DC 6 jurisdiction are busy, Black is glad members are flourishing with work opportunities. He said he would much rather start his new role needing to find manpower for contractors rather than having a large number of members on the bench
looking for work.
A handful of weeks after being elected BM/ST, Black was able to reflect on the path that brought him to his new role.
“It was a long journey, with a lot of hard work, but the results were surreal,” he said. “Right after we were sworn in, I turned to the team and told them, ‘There’s work to do, so let’s get started.’”
For Black, the next four years are about showing the membership they elected the right person who will keep the momentum going, grow the District Council and come up with ideas and solutions to help grow the DC 6 finances, increase the number of contractors and grow the union finishing trades industry.
“The election results say it all,” he said. “The members have faith in the team and trust me. Having their trust means that we have to prove they made the right decision.”