Chicago, IL
The career of Vice President John T. Joyce in the labor movement has been distinguished by the depth and quality of his dedication of his talents, experience, creativity and skill to the best interests of the members of his union, the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, and to the freedom and well-being of working people everywhere.
Along with his intelligent and innovative leadership of his union, he has been recognized around the world as an eloquent spokesperson for the rights of all workers in all countries to enjoy freedom of association and the right to organize a democratic, free trade union so that they can achieve better lives for themselves and their families.
Vice President Joyce learned his bricklayers’ trade as a member of BAC Local 21 in Chicago, and, after college and military service, he returned to the local to become the administrator of its health, pension and apprenticeship plans. His coordination and management of these programs significantly enhanced the protections and benefits provided to the local’s membership.
Recognized for his ability, Joyce was elected as treasurer and later as secretary of his national union. He served as the Bricklayers’ national president from his first election in 1979 until his retirement in 1999. He has also been co-chair of the joint labor-management International Masonry Institute. In 1984, he was elected to the AFL-CIO Executive Council where he has helped to create and guide the federation’s policies in all of its activities including organizing, legislative and political education and economic policy development.
Under his stewardship, the Bricklayers have benefited from his work to strengthen collective bargaining achievements, expand apprenticeship and training opportunities, improve job safety, explore new organizing goals and establish good labor-management relationships that have increased employment in the construction industry.
Vice President Joyce has also been a key leader in the effort to strengthen the ties of solidarity between American union members and their brothers and sisters in unions around the world, and he has been outspoken in his advocacy of the right of working people to a strong and respected voice for working people in every sector of our society.
On behalf of the men and women of the unions of the AFL-CIO, the Executive Council expresses its deepest gratitude to Vice President Joyce for his lifetime of devoted service to the members of his union and to working people around the world.