Jack Bartnett, a friend of labor and management, dies

Jack Bartnett, an ironworker who rose from the ranks of Local 392 at Alberici Constructors, one of the largest construction companies in the country, died Jan. 26 in the presence of his family.

His funeral was Jan. 30 at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church and he was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. He was 81 years old.

Brother Bartnett was highly regarded among union leaders and business associates. He was active in the St. Louis construction industry for more than 50 years.  The St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council chose him as Building Trades Man of the Year in 2001.  He later received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. Louis Council of Owners and Construction Associates.

After service in the U.S. Navy Seabees during the Korean War, Bartnett  transferred to Iron Workers Local 396 in St. Louis, where he became a journeyman and was elected to union office.

In 1973, Gabe Alberici hired Bartnett to direct his company’s labor relations office. He gained a national reputation for his skill in negotiating agreements, resolving grievances and serving on labor-management committees to improve working relationships among unions and contractors.  He retired from Alberici in 2001.

Later, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. Louis Area Council of Owners and Construction Associates.

Brother Bartnett is survived by his wife Sally, sons John Jr. and his wife Terri, Daniel and his wife Kathie, daughters Kathy Mistretta and her husband Paul, Karen Bay and her husband Tim, Sally Bothmann and her husband Chip and Amy Cross and her husband Chris, plus 11 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren.