FAQ | Contractors
Q. Why team up with BAC Local 1 of MD, VA & DC?
A. With a skilled union crew, you get a safer more productive and a higher quality outcome.
Q. As a contractor, am I assigned the task of onboarding?
A. No, we handle the recruitment, vetting & training. You get experienced workers without the headache of managing turnover or onboarding.
Q. Are union workers trained and certified?
A. Yes. Our members go through rigorous apprenticeship programs and ongoing journeyperson training. Safety, technical skills, and certifications (like OSHA, scaffold, etc.) are part of our standard.
Q. What’s involved in becoming a signatory contractor?
A. Becoming signatory involves signing a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the union. It outlines terms related to wages, benefits, hiring practices, and working conditions. The process is straightforward, and we’ll guide you step by step — from paperwork to your first union dispatch.
Q. Can I still use my current crew or workforce?
A. Yes. We will work together to integrate your workforce with ours and they can continue working under the new agreement. We’ll help transition them smoothly and offer training to get them up to speed if needed.
Q. How quickly can I get workers on site?
A. Very quickly. Once you're signed on, we can dispatch qualified tradespeople — often within 48 hours depending on availability and the type of workers you need (bricklayers, stone masons, tile setters, etc.).
Q. How do union labor costs compare to non-union labor?
A. On prevailing wage jobs they might be the same. While base wages and benefit contributions may appear higher, union labor delivers greater productivity, fewer errors, and reduced rework. Our contractors find projects are completed faster and more efficiently, ultimately saving time and money.
Q. Which benefits do I have to provide?
A. Wages and fringe benefits are outlined in the CBA. These include health insurance, pensions, training funds, and more — all managed by a joint labor management board of trustees. You make one simple contribution per worker per hour, and we take care of the rest.
If you are interested in becoming a signatory contractor, please fill out the form. For further questions contact President Scott Garvin by phone at(240) 695-9463