The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #3 and Hod Carriers Local 166
in conjunction with other Alameda County Building Trades will begin
picketing the construction of Wal-Mart in Oakland on Friday, February 4,
2005 from 6:00 am to 12:00 noon We would like to express our concerns that
Frazier Masonry does not meet area wage and benefit standards. The Wal-Mart
is located on Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA on the west side of 880 at the
Hegenberger exit. It would be appropriate for representatives of the
community to show their support by attending this job action.

Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #3 and Hod Carriers Local 166 are
committed to continue job actions until the issues of area wage and benefit
standards are appropriately addressed by Frazier Masonry and Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart only requires "contractors and subcontractors to follow all laws
... and do the right thing" (www.walmartfacts.com, January 24, 2005). 
Wal-Mart fails to address the issue of local community standards and the 
economic impact of allowing the use of a contractor that pays substandard 
wages and benefits and employs out of state workers. Currently, Frazier 
Masonry is paying below the area wage and benefit standard, which does not 
appear to be the "right thing" to do. By admission through Wal-Mart's policy 
regarding subcontractors, they (Wal-Mart) are supporting the degradation of 
the wage and benefit standards that the citizens of the community have spent 
years to establish. Frazier Masonry and Wal-Mart are not attempting to 
create jobs for local workers during construction.  The out of state workers 
are not spending money locally or paying taxes here. Local 3 has approximately 
200 members who live in the Oakland area who are professional masons that 
are more qualified to do this work.

Currently, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #3 health coverage is
more than $7.25 per hour (approx. $14,000 per year) and our retirees just
received a 40% increase in their premiums. Union workers are indirectly
subsidizing companies like Frazier and Wal-Mart who don't fully cover
insurance for their employees and dependents. Frazier Masonry only provides
partial coverage for its employees and no coverage for dependents.

As you know Wal-Mart is no friend to it's employees or the men and women who
build their facilities.  Their disregard for the local community seems to
contradict their latest public relations campaign and creates an environment
that will exploit the standards of wages and benefits of the people that
live in the community. Wal-Mart will move into the neighborhood, devour our
local businesses and lower community living standards.

Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers represents approximately 3,000
Bricklayers/Stonemasons, Tile Layers and Finishers, Pointer Cleaner
Caulkers, Marble Setters and Finishers, Terrazzo Mechanics and Finishers,
and Refractory Bricklayers who work various aspects of the industry in the
Northern 46 counties of California.

We ask you to attend our action on Friday, January 28, 2005 to show support
in defending the area wage and benefit standards that the citizens of this
community have established. Please contact our office as soon as possible so
that we may meet with you regarding this issue.

Sincerely,

James C. Bresnahan
BAC Local 3
8400 Enterprise Way, Room 103
Oakland, CA 94621
PH: 510-632-8781 x 11
FX: 510-632-8261
www.bac3-ca.org

Richard Plock
Compliance Officer
BAC Local 3
8400 Enterprise Way, Room 103
Oakland, CA 94621
PH: 510-632-8781 x 13
FX: 510-632-8261
www.bac3-ca.org