ABC Grassroots features members who live the motto "Get Into Politics or Get Out of Business". As political self-starters, these members explain how they made the jump from the construction world into the political world, why their involvement is important and how it has made a difference in their lives.
ABC Grassroots features ABC members who live the motto "Get Into Politics or Get Out of Business." As political self-starters, these members explain how they made the jump from the construction world into politics, why their involvement is important, and how it has made a difference in their lives.
Meet Bob MacDaniels
Bob MacDaniels, a 20-year veteran of ABC’s Metro Washington Chapter, wants you to get involved in politics and make your voice heard on behalf of the merit shop. The future of free enterprise is at risk this election season, so MacDaniels has spent the past year traveling up and down the East Coast and to ABC National meetings to get out this very important message. Depending on the candidates elected, that will not only have the power to fast track the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), but they also could change the balance of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). [Note: the NLRB resolves unfair labor practice disputes between employers and their workers]. As one of the founders and owners of ONCORE Construction, Bladensburg, Md., MacDaniels understands firsthand how the results of this election could change the way he does business.
 MacDaniels speaks to ABC members. |
Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, it was natural for MacDaniels to pick up a knack for politics. His first entry into the political arena was running for student council in high school (which he won). He now channels his energy into spreading the word about issues important to the construction industry. Getting involved in ABC’s political opportunities started with a little push from a colleague who was the incoming chapter chair—a position MacDaniels later held in 2003. He also has served on the Metro Washington Chapter’s board, executive committee, legislative committee and Political Action Committee (PAC), where he helped elevate the chapter as a national leader in contributions.
MacDaniels believes one of the most effective ways to get people involved is to recount the story of ABC’s founding. By highlighting the struggles of the seven brave men who faced incredible odds to stand together on the core value of merit, and sometimes sharing his own struggle with a year-long union attack on his business, it becomes obvious what must be done. ABC members must get into politics or get out of business.
Q & A
Why did you start to get involved with politics and grassroots efforts?
I have always been interested in legislative politics and the issues that affect our industry. My earliest involvement was working on getting prompt pay laws written for the state of Maryland, which we started working on in 1988 and got passed in 1990.
What do you like about communicating with your representatives?
In 2003, I was invited to testify at a hearing Sen. Ted Kennedy held on how to make it easier for companies to be organized by the unions. Joining me in attendance were my lawyer, Maury Baskin; our chapter president, Debbie Schoonmaker; and 300 union activists. Talk about walking into a lion’s den with a hamburger overcoat on. I was pretty proud that we held our own during this hearing.
What do you feel you have accomplished by staying involved with politics?
Informing others about our association’s rich history and the challenges that the original seven founders faced when they met one night in April 1950 and decided to stand together. This was the night ABC was born. I enjoy telling people about our core values of merit that our founders and John Trimmer, our first national executive director, used as the basis to establish our association. How simple their belief was that we should be able to hire, pay and promote our employees based on their merit, as well as be awarded work in free and open completion. I like to tell people that this core value of merit has helped create a federation of nearly 25,000 companies across this great nation of ours. Once I explain our history and the issues effecting our association and industry, I have been able to get tremendous support from many individuals who have contributed time and money. I think our association’s history and future has moved many to make PAC and Free Enterprise Alliance contributions.
How are you getting involved this week?
This is the most important presidential election in generations. I get involved in PAC, educating members about issues, and get out the vote efforts every day. We cannot afford to lose this election.
Why do you think it is important to be involved in grassroots activities?
One of the most important things we can do is educate our members about the EFCA. I speak to people every day about card-check. If it becomes law, it can only be described as a devastating in our industry! I ask our members to tell someone each day about this insidious piece of legislation.
What are some of the most memorable responses you have received when talking to a group of people
about issues affecting the merit shop?
I am astonished by the surprise and shock when I speak about the effects of the EFCA. I remember one businessman I met in South Carolina who didn’t believe Congress would even consider, let alone pass the card-check bill. You can imagine the shock on his face when I informed him that the bill actually passed the U.S. House of Representatives this session, but was blocked in the Senate by only six votes!
What inspires you to speak to individuals or groups of ABC members?
My passion for our core values of merit and protecting my business from those who want to take away these values. We need to get our members to vote for pro-merit, pro-business candidates.
In your opinion, what is the most important thing an ABC member can do to make a difference for the merit shop?
Vote for our association’s endorsed candidate for President—Sen. John McCain—and get others to do the same!