LOCAL #67 - History

LOCAL #67
FROM BEGINNING TO NOW

Ceramic tile in Chicago was installed in the late 1800's by local area tile shops. To the best of our knowledge there were no more than 6 tile contractors in Chicago at the turn of the century. In the early 1900's the Chicago ceramic tile setters formed a union. Initially, the Chicago tile setter's union was not affiliated with any International Union. Local area tile setters soon learned that they would be better served if they belonged to an International Union. On November 30, 1918, Local #67 was formed when they joined the BMPIU, Bricklayers, Masons & Plasterers International Union. We believe that there were about 40 to 50 members at that time.

It was about 20 years ago that the International Union changed it name to Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen and 5 years ago that the International Union changed it name to Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers to better reflect the times. In any event, Local #67 has been a chartered Local Union with the BAC for over 83 years. During that time Local #67 has played a positive supporting role with the International and has received many benefits and support from the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers.

The first Union office for Local #67 was at 906 W. Monroe Street just west of the Chicago Loop. That address remained the home of Local #67 from 1919 to 1969 when they moved to a building near the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Montrose on the Northwest side of Chicago. They stayed at that location for nearly 9 years, until they purchased a building at 2317 N. Western Avenue in 1978. In 1995 Local #67 moved to their current address at 6425 S. Central Avenue on the Southwest side of Chicago near Midway Airport. The building at 6425 S. Central is the largest building Local #67 has ever occupied. The Central Avenue location is also the home of Ceramic Tile Layer's Apprentice School and Annuity office.

Local #67 has had many great leaders and officers over the last 82 years, probably the most well known is Robert E. Shepherd, who served as Business Manager for over 20 years and culminated his career when he was selected as an International Union Vice-President. Following Robert Shepherd in 1952 was Herb Taylor, a large figure of a man, who ruled the Local with an "Iron Fist". In the 1960's John Tweedy was elected as Business Manager, John served until his death in 1983 and was a well respected leader. After John's death, Ken Bieschke was elected as Business Manager. Ken is best known for restoring Local #67's apprenticeship and for his excellent relationship with the Chicago and Cook County Building Trades. Ken remained Business Manager until 1992 when he retired. James F. Murray was elected as Business Manager in 1992 and continued as Business Manager until his retirement in October 1999. Jim will always be remembered as the leader who moved the Union to it's finest facility as well as the man who started our Kid's Christmas Party. In October 1999 Frank O'Lone was elected as Business Manager of Local #67. Frank became Business Manager after serving as Executive Board member, Business Agent and Secretary-Treasurer and resigned in March of 2004 to join the Chicago and Cook County Building Trades Council as Secretary-Treasurer.

In 1981 the International Union merged the Chicago Terrazzo Mechanics of Local #41 into Local #67 and the name was changed to reflect the merger, Ceramic Tile Layers and Terrazzo Workers Local #67. In July of 2000 the International Union once again merged another Chicago Local into Local #67. This time it was the Terrazzo Finishers and Granite Cutters of Local #89 BAC. The Ceramic Tile Finishers were merged into Local #67 in December 2001 and once again Local #67 underwent a name change to reflect the merger; Ceramic Tile Layers and Finishers, Terrazzo Workers and Finishers and Granite Cutters Local #67 BAC.

Local #67 has steadily grown over the years, we now have a membership of 1,560. We currently have four apprentice classes in session with 80 apprentices. We have three improver classes with close to 75 improvers. We are signatory to over 130 contractors from 11 different states. Local #67 provides college scholarships through the Robert E. Shepherd Fund. Local #67 donates time, money and energy to local charities. We are part of the CTI ( Chicago Tile Institute) pension, health & welfare plans which have been in existence for over 45 years as well as the TMT health care fund for Terrazzo members. We have been participants in the Bricklayers International Union pension plan for the past 30 years. We have had our own Annuity Pension plan for the last 13 years. We are proud members of the Chicago & Cook County Building Trades, DeKalb County Building Trades, DuPage County Building Trades, Lake County Building Trades, McHenry County Building Trades, Will County Building Trades, Fox Valley Building Trades, Chicago Federation of Labor, Illinois State AFL-CIO and last but not least the Illinois District Council 1, BAC. We have truly come a long way since the early 1900's.

As we look to the future, we realize that we cannot rest on our laurels. This year we plan to continue growing and organizing new members. We will start new apprentice classes for tile & terrazzo. We will hold journey person upgrade classes this summer covering several different topics. This year we plan to continue improving benefits for our members as we did with our last contract. At the same time we will continue to modernize and upgrade our building and apprenticeship facility. We vow to never lose sight of providing full employment, fair wages and good benefits for each and every member. We think our forefathers who worked for those original 6 shops in the late 1800's would be proud of what our members and our leaders have accomplished and we plan to make our future members equally proud.