History
The Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association of the United States and Canada , also known as the OP&CMIA, represents the members of one of the world’s oldest and most noble crafts. As early as man was building shelter for himself, there was plastering-first with mud or clay and later with a lime mixture much like that used today. Young minorities were brought into the...
Read More
Creed of a Concrete Man
Concrete is my business. My future welfare and well-being of my family depend on the quality of the work I do. I have chosen concrete out of all the construction materials of the earth as the one in which to specialize. I have done this because I feel that concrete is a material of integrity. Mixed and placed with understanding hands, concrete will not fail. Therefore, the work I do well now will survive...
Read More
Member Benefits
Comparison of Benefits from Union Members to Non-Union Members. Union Non-Union Better Wages Lower Wages Vacation Pay Not offered Health Insurance (For Dependents)* May be offered at a HIGH COST to Employee Dental and Vision Insurance (For Dependants)* May be offered at a HIGH COST to Employee Pension (Protected by Federal Government)* Not offered Individual Retirement Account...
Read More
Dispatching Procedures
The Dispatcher When Dispatching a Work Order Will Advise the Person of the following : Name of the Contractor Location of the Jobsite and Map Starting Time Type of Work Drug Test, If Applicable Rate of Pay All Cement Masons Dispatched must Have (2) Identifications, Current Drivers License, Social Security Card or Citizen ID Card. It is the Responsibility of the Cement Mason to inform the Dispatcher That...
Read More
Curb and Gutter
Have you ever worked on a good curb and gutter crew? It can be a real eye opener. First of all it is probably the fastest process of the finishers’ craft. The concrete sets up fast, the forming systems were designed to go up and strip down fast. Every person on the crew knows what has to be done and when to do it. All phases of the cement mason’s trade require cooperation and team work, but no where...
Read More
What is a Union?
In many ways, unions are democracy at work. At union places power and decision making are shared by workers. Through the union, workers are able to collectively bargain the management to reach agreement about: pay, benefits, hours, job security, job safety and other conditions of work. Through collective bargaining, workers strive to achieve equal pay and fair treatment for all workers on the...
Read More
What is a Cement Mason?
Cement masons and concrete finishers place and finish the concrete. They also may color concrete surfaces: expose aggregate in walls and sidewalks; or fabricate concrete beams, columns and panels. In preparing a site for placing concrete, cement masons first set the forms for holding the concrete and properly align them. After the concrete has been leveled and floated, concrete finishers press and edger...
Read More
Most Recent Articles
Curb and Gutter
Have you ever worked on a good curb and gutter crew? It can be a real eye opener. First of all it is probably the fastest process of the finishers’ craft. The concrete sets up fast, the forming systems were...
Read More
Dispatching Procedures
The Dispatcher When Dispatching a Work Order Will Advise the Person of the...
Read More
