Sunday, October 18, 2009

"Because That’s Where The Money Is"

Carpenters often ask, "What do they spend my dues and assessment money on?"

Unfortunately its not an easy question to answer, there are LM-2 reports which unions are required to file with the Department of Labor, however these reports do not tell the whole story on union expenses.

With the arrest of Mike Forde and revelations of corruption, drug use and financial mismanagement, there is outrage building among the rank and file.

Willy Sutton was a depression era bank robber. He was wanted for robberies in Miami, New Orleans, and New York. After his capture in 1950, a reporter asked him why he robbed banks. His reply was, “Because that’s where the money is.” Aside from the lack of moral justification, his strategy was sound: go where the money is.

Listed below is the New York City District Council Of Carpenters, LM2 reports, covering the Forde years, from 2000 - 2009.

The reports show total membership has increased from 23,992 members in 2000, to 24,816 members in 2009, an increase of 894 members.

During the same period total receipts (that’s the money they take from you) has increase from $17,671,440 to $53,049,510, an increase of $35,378,070.

Also during the same period total disbursements (that’s the money they spent) has increase from $17,739,233 to $41,665,341 an increase of $23,926,108.

Can someone explain, how has this increase of almost $24 million in spending benefited the rank and file?

Has this fleecing of membership money improved our District Council?

What aspects of our lives have improved due to an outrageously expensive District Council under the “Unity Team” administration?

In other words, what have we gained from this appalling increase in spending, other than ridiculously high council salaries? (see ALL STARS, below)

With carpenters struggling everyday, and the current state of our district council, you would have to conclude the members are hardly getting the best bang for their hard earned bucks from these council "ALL STARS."

Let us know what you think, comment below!

Reports filed for the District Council, click to view each year. (032-922)

Date Received
Filing Type
Fiscal Year
Trust Name
Total Assets
Total Liabilities
Total Receipts
Total Disbursements
Total Membership
Oct 06, 2009
LM-2
2009 Report

$58,193,112
$1,700,013
$53,049,510
$41,665,341
24,816
Sep 24, 2008
LM-2
2008 Report

$47,586,471
$2,178,591
$58,028,935
$39,049,178
25,515
Sep 27, 2007
LM-2
2007 Report

$32,679,947
$1,713,102
$45,518,392
$43,247,257
24,857
Oct 05, 2006
LM-2
2006 Report

$23,028,874
$1,664,918
$44,130,236
$44,094,876
24,015
Sep 30, 2005
LM-2
2005 Report

$23,138,518
$3,953,753
$39,691,330
$38,817,299
22,107
Oct 04, 2004
LM-2
2004 Report

$22,887,757
$1,435,067
$37,928,272
$38,408,615
22,855
Sep 29, 2003
LM-2
2003 Report

$22,122,672
$1,210,280
$32,328,877
$30,633,503
23,127
Oct 10, 2002
LM-2
2002 Report

$22,985,856
$1,070,616
$32,961,853
$32,991,436
24,058
Oct 09, 2001
LM-2
2001 Report

$20,877,299
$1,144,920
$34,880,406
$34,613,324
24,027
Oct 03, 2000
LM-2
2000 Report

$14,746,914
$810,534
$17,671,440
$17,739,233
23,992

Indicted former carpenter boss Mike Forde was at the top of the heap pulling down a yearly salary and disbursements of $702,568, followed by Pete Thomassen at $268,827 and Dennis Sheil at $253,500, these figures do not include compensation for pensions, annuity's, car allowances and other union-related expenses, which brings the total even higher.
The top earning council "ALL STARS" for 2009:
  • Martin Devereaut $506,824
  • Scott Danielson $214,224
  • Maurice Leary $204,345
  • Charles Harkin $195,014
  • John Greaney $184,307
  • Samuel Baley $183,452
  • Edward McWilliams $179,792
  • John Early $178,578
  • Jeff Passante $178,210
  • Richard Tuccillo $176,472
  • Michael Koballa $176,337
  • John Harkin $172,850
  • Mike Zemski $171,760
  • Robert Seeger $171,682
  • Maryann June $169,572
  • Joe Ventura $169,340
  • Gary Shelton $166,538
  • Paul Tyznar $164,270
  • Sal Antonucci $161,908
  • Ron Rawald $161,123
LM-2 2009

10 comments:

  1. Numbers to look at:

    Total membership:
    How many are retired (pension and health benefits)
    How many members are working members?
    Avg of hours worked by NYC carpenters?
    Number unemployed?
    length of unemployment?
    Avg. annual income or working carpenter?
    Number of vested members?

    The outrage with salaries is that so many members struggle to make a living.  But we need numbers.  I wouldn't give a shit what these guys made if we had 100% employment, like other trades do.  Also, in years our industry suffers and we lose millions of work hours, why do officers keep 100% of their paid.  Even worse, in a year we lost millions of work hours, thousands unemployed, these OFFICERS GOT A FAT RAISE!  How can they defend this?

    ReplyDelete
  2. this means shit.stop complaining we need to fix this.this site does nothing ,who even reads it the same 10 people.the unions are sinking and where blogging lol to much technology,we need to rally or face it there is nothing we can do

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Joe, the brother here took time to educate the members on how much our leaders make a year despite high unemployment, millions of work hours lost, and a defeated membership.  I don't think that is crying or complaining.  Joe, go ask face to face for someone to explained to you what the LM-2 numbers mean.  tell us what they say! 

    We can't rally if people don't know what they are rallying for.  The Nycdcc has been awesome at keeping even the most basic information away from the members.  Blogging is a tool to help get the information to the members.  Stop fighting union members who give a shit and take time from their lives to help the rank and file.

    ReplyDelete
  4. THINGS ARE LOOKING WORSE EVERYDAY.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ALL IN THE FAMILY   
     
    These individuals received the following raises last year. Why?

    There needs to be an investigation!  
        
    JOHN THOMASSEN $17,000  (PETE’S SON)  
    MARIA SABATER    $10,000  (PETE’S SECRETARY)  
    OLAF OLSEN          $11,000  (PETE’S NEPHEW)  
    JOHN GREANEY     $20,000  (UNDER RACKETEERING INDICTMENT)  
    ANDRE PUERTA     $21,000  (MARRIED TO BRIAN ODWYERs NIECE)  
    MAURICE LEARY    $13,000  (FORDE CRONIE)  
    TOM COSTELLO     $14,000  (FORDE CRONIE)  
    MIKE MURPHY       $15,000   (FORDE CRONIE)  
    JOHN DALY           $10,000  (FORDE CRONIE)  
    ED MAUDSLEY       $11,000   (FORDE CRONIE)   
     
    Lets not forget Andre Puerta, he is married to Brian O’Dwyer’s niece.... BUT IT GETS EVER BETTER!!!  
     
    Her name is Kathlee Flannelly and she also works in the benefit funds.  
     
    BELIEVE IT OR NOT IT GETS BETTER THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is Dan Ryan's assistant.  
     
    Who is “DAN RYAN,” none other than Brian O'Dwyer's nephew.  
     
    From the Law firm of O'Dwyer and Bernstein the council's lawyers.  
     
    Dan Ryan, is an assistant Director to the Funds, soon to replace Stuart Grabois as Director.  
     
    My sources say that Stuart Grabois the Director of the Benefit Funds and Brain O'Dwyer, have a connection.  
     
    Grabois son Andrew is a junior partner in O'Dwyer and Bernstein.  
     
    This is just the tip of the iceberg, monies have been mismanaged and misspent.  
     
    We need to find out how much money these individuals make!  
     
    Request the detailed 5500 reports from Stuart Grabois, he has to give it to you by law.  
       
    If no luck contact US Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards (OLMS) @ 646-264-3190 or go to 201 Varrick Street room 878... 1 block from 395 hudson.... ask for Ralph Gerchak.... can also file complaints there....

    ReplyDelete
  6. John, you should include on your "counter" of time of trusteeship, a counter for estimated cost while under supervision based on the cost of trusteeship of 157.

    <span style="">
    <table style="height: 100%;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" width="100%" frame="void">
    <tbody>
    <tr style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
    <td class="ERDS-form-text" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" width="50%">REIMB. OF EXPENSES DURING TRUSTEESHIP</td>
    <td class="ERDS-form-text" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" width="25%" align="center">11/25/2008</td>
    <td class="ERDS-form-text" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" width="25%" align="right">$164,620</td>
    </tr>
    <tr style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
    <td class="ERDS-form-text" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" width="50%">REIMB. OF EXPENSES DURING TRUSTEESHIP</td>
    <td class="ERDS-form-text" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" width="25%" align="center">11/25/2008</td>
    <td class="ERDS-form-text" style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" width="25%" align="right">$1,780,809</td>
    </tr>
    </tbody>
    </table>
    </span>

    So that members know the extend of financial damage done by Mike Forde and Pete Thomanssen.  Just another way that they have WASTED OUR MONEY!

    ReplyDelete
  7. <span style="">John, you should include on your "counter" of time of trusteeship, a counter for estimated cost while under supervision based on the cost of trusteeship of 157.  </span>

    2009 LM 2
    Local 157
    <span style="">REIMB. OF EXPENSES DURING TRUSTEESHIP = $1,945,429</span>

    <span style="">So that members know the extend of financial damage done by Mike Forde and Pete Thomanssen.  Just another way that they have WASTED OUR MONEY!</span>

    ReplyDelete
  8. This corruption runs deep!

    Lets rally!

    We should Rally on the DC and demand that all these scumbags resign!

    Its unbelievable that Martin D still has a job.He's Mike Fordes right hand man....

    These guys bought there alliances with all these cronies through having open tabs(open bar) at all the conventions,golf outings,and fund raisers....
    So if you go to a meeting and say anything,you might get jumped...

    F'em all.

    I hope all you cheating,dick riders fall and FALL HARD!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thomanssen (and who else?) pays for tickets to sport events (Jets, Rangers, and what else?) with NYCDCC funds!
    If this is true, is it legal?  Even if it is legal, this is wrong!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Steve 608, 

    I am in, seriously!  As I have said before this blog should act as an organizing place for potential action against the DC.  The problem is that these actions should not be discussed in public.  What should happen is that those of us who are interested in forming some sort of coalition against this corruption need to form a list of goals and then outline possible means of negotiation of direct action to get what we want. 

    My email is local157carpenter@gmail.com

    The real problem with these exorbitant salaries is that they attract greedy people to these positions.  There are individuals who would take a DC position for carpenter pay because they believe in the labor movement and want to fight on the side of the working class against the employing class.  These people cannot break into the ranks of "leadership" simply because they do not have connections with the current batch of corrupt officials, we need to change that! 

    ReplyDelete

I would ask that if you would like to leave a comment that you think of Local 157 Blogspot as your online meeting hall and that you wouldn’t say anything on this site that you wouldn’t, say at a union meeting. Constructive criticism is welcome, as we all benefit from such advice. Obnoxious comments are not welcome.