Why It Matters

The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers wants to protect prevailing wage standards and worker organizing rights amid shifting federal policy and well-funded opposition. With the S.3092 – Affordable Housing Expansion Act threatening to weaken Davis-Bacon wage protections and the Associated Builders and Contractors actively opposing government-mandated Project Labor Agreements, the BAC must fight on multiple legislative fronts simultaneously.

The union’s strategy centers on positioning skilled trades as essential to solving the construction labor shortage while defending prevailing wages as necessary to attract domestic workers—a reframing that could open new coalition opportunities beyond traditional labor allies. At stake is whether the construction trades remain defined by union labor standards or shift toward a non-union, lower-wage model.

By the Numbers

The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers spent $120,000 on in-house lobbying in the final quarter of 2025, continuing a two-decade pattern of internal advocacy. The union has filed 81 disclosures since 2004, totaling $5.17 million in cumulative spending.

The BAC exclusively handles advocacy in-house, with one notable exception: a brief 2009 engagement with Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP for Affordable Care Act work. This heavy reliance on internal resources reflects deep institutional knowledge and singular focus on construction and labor issues.

Historically, the BAC’s advocacy concentrates on labor protections (88 mentions), immigration reform (50 mentions), taxation (28 mentions), education and school construction (26 mentions), and retirement security (21 mentions)—indicating a stable agenda rather than reactive strategy shifts.

The Agenda

The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) is actively lobbying on interconnected labor and construction policy issues. The union’s primary focus centers on protecting prevailing wages under the Davis-Bacon Act, particularly as Congress debates reforms like the S.3092 – Affordable Housing Expansion Act.

BAC is championing apprenticeship and workforce development through support for the bipartisan S.189 – CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 and its House companion H.R.1055, which would expand residential construction apprenticeship programs.

The union endorses broad pro-labor measures, including the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, Senator Adam Schiff’s Empowering Striking Workers Act, and Representative Seth Magaziner’s Don’t STEAL Act on wage theft.

Broader Context

The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) is navigating a construction industry facing unprecedented labor shortages intensified by immigration enforcement. NPR reported that ICE actions are "sending a chill through the construction industry," with estimates of a 500,000-worker shortage nationwide.

The political landscape presents mixed signals. While the Trump administration revoked Biden’s federal contractor minimum wage, it surprisingly continued backing Executive Order 14063 mandating Project Labor Agreements on large federal projects—a significant win for unions like BAC.

Federal prevailing wage standards face ongoing pressure. The S.3092 – Affordable Housing Expansion Act proposes significant changes to Davis-Bacon wage calculations for federally-funded housing projects. The nation’s housing affordability crisis creates new opportunities for construction unions to position themselves as partners in addressing shortages.

Between The Lines

Congress is actively debating issues central to BAC’s mission. The PRO Act has been reintroduced with 44 Senate cosponsors and strong House backing. The bipartisan CONSTRUCTS Act aims to expand residential construction apprenticeships—aligning with BAC’s workforce development priorities.

However, the union faces direct opposition on prevailing wages. Representative Lloyd Smucker has reintroduced legislation to repeal Biden-era prevailing wage regulations, while the Affordable Housing Expansion Act proposes revising Davis-Bacon wage calculations.

Competitive Landscape

The BAC operates within a fragmented construction industry where allied building trades unions and opposing contractor associations actively lobby on overlapping issues.

Allied organizations include the United Association of Plumbers, LIUNA, United Brotherhood of Carpenters, and NECA. These groups collectively advocate for Davis-Bacon protections, Project Labor Agreements, and registered apprenticeship standards.

The BAC’s primary opposition comes from the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC), which represents non-union contractors and explicitly opposes government-mandated PLAs.

The Bottom Line

The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) spent $120,000 on in-house lobbying in the fourth quarter continuing two decades of sustained advocacy. The union faces a complex legislative environment where its core priorities enjoy Democratic support but face organized opposition from non-union contractor groups.

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