All members should read the below Trial Procedures, which must be posted on the District Council website with this message.
All local union executive committees must take note of their obligation to democratically select two trial committee members.
Please make note of the following schedule and deadlines:
Friday, July 30, 2010
A Message from the Review Officer Regarding New District Council Trial Procedures
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Walter Mack To Head New Trial Committee
BREAKING NEWS...Sources say there will be an announcement tomorrow regarding a new trial committee, with new procedures which will have Walter Mack (l) as its chairman and former NJ chief justice James Zazalli (r) as vice chairman.
Page Six
We hear...THAT immediately after Michael Forde copped a plea to corruption charges and admitted selling out his membership by taking bribes from contractors, stealing union money - and then lying about it, union representative Maurie Leary and Maurice McGrath retired, Ed Maudsley resigned, Ron Rawald was suspended without pay and Martin Devereaux, who Spencer appointed business manager to replace John Greaney was terminated.
On July 19, Page Six reported that Devereaux, McGrath and Tom Costello arranged to meet at the Bronx office of Local 608, allegedly, to "shred union documents."
Sources are also saying supervisor Frank Spencer appointed Local 157 business manager/regional manager Lawrence D'Errico, Acting Director of Operations, to replace Leary.
D'Errico is the latest individual appointed by Spencer who finds himself at the center of corruption.
Spencer appointed Pete Thomassen assistant supervisor who resigned amid revelations of massive spending on lobster dinners, junkets and parties.
Spencer also appointed D'Errico business manager and "new leader" of Local 157 following the 2007 “emergency supervision, which many members believe was politically motivated; and Pete Thomassen, in a rare moment of candor, exposed.
D'Errico a Benefit Fund Trustee appointed by Forde, among other things, has never been held accountable for his role in the cover-up and daily corruption detailed in the November 13, 2007 report by Independent Investigator, William Callahan, or for failing to perform his fiduciary responsibilities as a trustee following the corruption detailed in the Forde indictment and UBC Hearings.
Ex-Leader of Carpenters Union Pleads Guilty to Racketeering
After years of fighting criminal charges, the former head of the union that represents carpenters in New York City pleaded guilty on Wednesday to taking part in a racketeering scheme stretching back over a decade, the authorities said.
The former leader, Michael J. Forde, was accused along with nine other union officials and contractors of stealing millions of dollars from the union and its benefit funds.
The men were named last year in a 29-count indictment that charged that in exchange for bribes, Mr. Forde and the others allowed contractors to pay union members cash wages below union scale with no benefits, to hire illegal and nonunion workers, and to skip benefit contributions.
Mr. Forde had been tried twice before on state bribery charges dating to 2000. His first trial resulted in a conviction that was later overturned. His second trial ended in an acquittal.
But on Wednesday, Mr. Forde became the eighth person in the latest case to plead guilty.
Federal officials announced in New York that Mr. Forde had pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering and another count of racketeering conspiracy, charges that each carry a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Mr. Forde is scheduled to be sentenced in November.
His lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment on Wednesday night.
A version of this article appeared in print on July 29, 2010, on page A21 of the New York edition
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
EXCLUSIVE: Forde, Plea Agreement
Michael Forde, the former Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, pleaded guilty today in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge ANDREW J. PECK, to participating in a 15-year racketeering scheme.
FORDE is the eighth defendant in the case to plead guilty.
FORDE admitted that from approximately 1994 through 2004, he received cash bribes from multiple contractors (including On Par Contracting, Turbo Construction, Pyramid Associates Construction, New York City Acoustics, and KAFCI) in return for allowing these contractors to violate the terms of their collective bargaining agreements with the District Council.
Among other things, FORDE admitted that he let these contractors use undocumented workers and avoid making required payments to the District Council benefit funds of which he was the Chairman.
FORDE also admitted to committing perjury in a January 2009 deposition he gave in a civil action brought by the District Council against one of the contractors from whom his co-conspirators had accepted bribes. FORDE further admitted to obstructing efforts to investigate his conduct.
FORDE pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of racketeering, which also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
FORDE is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge VICTOR MARRERO on November 19, 2010 at 3:30 p.m.
Trial as to the remaining defendants, BRIAN HAYES and JOSEPH OLIVIERI, is scheduled to begin on September 7, 2010, before Judge MARRERO. The charges contained in the Indictment against these defendants are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
FORDE'S guilty pleas to racketeering and conspiracy came little more than a week after John Greaney, who succeeded Forde as president of Local 608, agreed to cooperate with prosecutors against him.
Unlike John Greaney, Forde did not enter a "cooperation agreement" with the Government.
Below is the plea agreement Michael Forde signed on July 28.
Press Release
Department of Justice Press Release
Former Carpenters Union Leader Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court to Over a Decade of Racketeering
Former Carpenters Union Leader Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court to Over a Decade of Racketeering
PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, GEORGE VENIZELOS, the Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), and MARJORIE FRANZMAN, the Special Agent-in-Charge for the New York Region of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General ("DOL-OIG"), announced today that MICHAEL FORDE, the former Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the District Council of New York City and Vicinity (the "District Council") of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners (the "Carpenters Union") and Chairman of the District Council benefit funds, pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to participating in a 15-year racketeering scheme.
According to the Indictment to which FORDE pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge ANDREW J. PECK, other documents previously filed in this case, and statements made in court today:
According to the Indictment to which FORDE pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge ANDREW J. PECK, other documents previously filed in this case, and statements made in court today:
Ex-union big Michael Forde pleads guilty to racketeering charges
By BRUCE GOLDING
Ex-carpenters union bigshot Michael Forde measured twice and cut himself a plea deal today.
The crooked labor leader -- who got a hug from Mayor Bloomberg after endorsing his re-election last year -- agreed to serve at least nine years behind bars for a racketeering scheme that stretches back to 1994.
The former head of the powerful carpenters District Council admitted selling out his membership by pocketing bribes to let contractors hire illegal aliens off the books.
Reading from a written statement in Manhattan federal court, Forde further admitted lying under oath during a 2009 deposition at which he denied knowledge of the shady scheme.
He also told the judge he was "currently in the process of recovery from drug and alcohol abuse" after testing positive for cocaine and marijuana when he was busted last August.
Forde's guilty pleas to racketeering and conspiracy came little more than a week after John Greaney, who succeeded Forde as president of Local 608, agreed to cooperate with prosecutors against his former mentor.
Forde -- who earlier beat bribery charges in state court -- declined to comment as he left the courthouse.
He's the eighth of 10 defendants in the case to cop a plea, leaving just former union official Brian Hayes and contractors' rep Joseph Olivieri -- who allegedly has longstanding ties to the Genovese crime family -- set for trial in September.
Under terms of his non-binding deal with prosecutors, Forde faces a maximum 11-plus years in the slammer. He also agreed to forfeit $100,000 in ill-gotten gains from his crimes.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara called Forde's conviction a "milestone" in rooting out corruption at the carpenters union, which he said was now pointed "toward a new era in its history."
Ex-carpenters union boss Michael Forde pleads guilty to racketeering charges; faces 10 years
Updated: Thursday, July 29th 2010
Corrupt Carpenter's union bigwig Michael Forde leaves Manhattan Federal Court after making a plea.
Nailed!
The drinking-and-drugging ex-boss of the city's carpenters union copped a plea to corruption charges Wednesday and is looking at nine years in federal lockup.
Michael Forde, 56, admitted selling out his membership by taking bribes from contractors, stealing union money - and then lying about it.
He cut a deal with prosecutors after a parade of lower-level union officials sold him out, including his former right-hand man.
"I along with other union officials accepted bribes including cash payments from contractors," Forde said in a loud, clear voice before a Manhattan federal magistrate.
"I made efforts to obstruct investigation into my conduct."
Forde was one of the city's most politically powerful labor leaders - and mugged for pictures with Mayor Bloomberg right before he was indicted.
Prosecutors said he used his position with the District Council of Carpenters to line his pockets at the expense of his 25,000 members.
He took thousands from contractors to look the other way when they hired illegal aliens, paid non-union wages and withheld payment to union benefit funds.
Forde pleaded guilty to bribery, racketeering and perjury - charges that carry up to 20 years.
He'll likely get 9-to-11-1/4 years as part of his cooperation agreement with the U.S. attorney's office, and has to pay back $100,000.
"Forde has admitted his guilt and it's about time," said dissident carpenter and blogger John Musumeci.
"But they still need to clean house in the District Council. Too many of Forde's cronies are still working there."
Forde was among 10 union heavies indicted a year ago.
Seven have already pleaded guilty, including reputed Luchese crime family associate Finbar O'Neill.
Reputed Genovese soldier Joseph Olivieri is scheduled for trial.
Feds who raided the District Council's headquarters found pills and a stun gun. Seven of the suspects tested positive for drugs.
Forde had pot and cocaine in his system and said in court that he's recovering from a booze and drug problem.
He was convicted of bribery in 2004, but the state court verdict was tossed out and he was acquitted at a 2008 mistrial.
Since he was busted last year, there's been a massive shakeup at the union.
His second-in-command resigned amid revelations of reckless spending of dues on steak dinners, junkets and parties.
More criminal charges could be coming, said Dennis Walsh, a mob-fighting ex-prosecutor appointed as a review officer last month.
"The union still has significant problems and, above all, needs to have its infrastructure, policies and procedures reconfigured," Walsh said.
BY Brain Kates and Scott Shifrel
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Irish contractor key figure in Mafia/union bust
By JAMES O'SHEA, IrishCentral.com
The most watched man in New York union circles these days is surely Co. Meath-born contractor Jim “Metal” Murray, who is the key witness in the Local 608 Union corruption scandal.
Murray recently returned from Ireland after the Feds put the heat on him to testify against the union bigs in a case that is straight out of 'The Sopranos.'
Court documents show a long time pattern of huge bribes, threats by Italians and Irish, and rigged job bids facilitated by 608, and Murray knows where all the bodies are.
He is all over the indictment as contractor No. 1, and holds the fate of many of those being pursued in his hands.
Crooked 608 official strikes plea bargain
John Greaney, former president of the Local 608 (part of the Carpenters Union), has pleaded guilty to thirteen felony charges including corruption, racketeering, embezzlement, bribery, and perjury, whilst serving in office.The Carpenters Union is a national labor union that represents skilled workers. In New York City, approximately 20,000 members of the union are divided into eleven locals, overseen by the District Council. Greaney was the president and business manager of Local 608, the largest local in the District Council, with approximately 7,400 members, many of whom are Irish or Irish American. Before his arrest in August of last year Greaney, whose mother came to the US from Swinford, Co. Mayo, was a prominent member of the Irish American community in New York.
KC worries about St. Louis union dispute
By RANDOLPH HEASTER
The Kansas City Star
With the St. Louis carpenters union’s expansion into Kansas City, local labor leaders will be sure to monitor the effect on the area’s union electrical work.
That’s because a battle over jurisdiction and work issues has erupted between the Carpenters’ District Council of St. Louis and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1 in St. Louis, the AFL-CIO’s longtime electricians union.
Earlier this year, electricians union officials in Kansas City voiced concerns over the St. Louis carpenters union forming its own electricians union in direct competition with IBEW Local 1. Those worries probably heightened when the Carpenters’ District Council of Kansas City was dissolved last week.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Elizabeth carpenters offer free services to fix financially-strapped church
But when the cold hits, services have to be held in a small parish hall because the financially-strapped church cannot afford to dole out $900 each week to heat the massive, 55-foot-high ceiling sanctuary.
Last year, the church was in such dire straits, it was forced to sell three of its 100-year-old stained-glass windows for $500,000. Two more are currently for sale.
No funds were available to bring the building up to fire code — something that Rev. Joseph Parrishhad been trying for years to accomplish.
"An inspector looked at it and told us all the things we had to do," Parrish said. "It could be condemned. We would not have a certificate of occupancy."
An open staircase in the parish hall had to be enclosed and the walls sheetrocked, Parrish said. In addition, five doors needed to be replaced with fire doors.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Carpenters District Council of KC dissolves
By RANDOLPH HEASTER The Kansas City Star
The Carpenters District Council of Kansas City, a longtime fixture in local political matters and union issues, has dissolved, leaving most of its 14,000 members under the jurisdiction of the St. Louis Carpenters union.
The action occurred suddenly Tuesday under orders of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters in Washington, D.C., which oversees the carpenter district councils around the country.
The only reasons provided for dissolving the Kansas City district were to consolidate resources and provide more mobility for members and contractors to work in other parts of Missouri and Illinois.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Page Six
Sightings…Local 608 business manager Martin Devereaux, was spotted leaving the District Council yesterday with his lawyer a source said.
On July 19, Page Six reported that "immediately after former president and business manager of Local 608, John Greaney, plead guilty, business representatives Martin Devereaux, Maurice McGrath and Tom Costello arranged to meet at the Bronx office of Local 608, allegedly, to shred union documents.
The source also said the three business representatives were suspended.
Inquires to the District Council and Review Officer, Dennis Walsh regarding the alleged incident and suspension were met with "no comment."
Update: Sources are now saying Tom Costello, was not suspended, he was spotted taking time sheets this morning and said "he had nothing to do with Martin Devereaux and Maurice McGrath."
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Local 2287 Business Representatives Fired
Jeffrey Passante, the former president and business representative of Local 2287 was fired yesterday, and former executive delegate and business manager Michael Zemski, was fired today.
On April 25, Page Six reported that "Passante and Zemski were suspended without pay on April 15, for allegedly stealing petty cash and using the locals credit card for personal use."
District Council Supervisor Frank Spencer, reported in May that Passante has resigned his position as president of local 2287.
The "investigation into misuse of local funds by business representatives, Michael Zemski and Jeff Passante is ongoing" Spencer said.
Spencer appointed business representative, John McGraft to assist with the day to day operation of local 2287.
Sources say union charges will most likely be filed against Passante which may result in expulsion.
Review Officer, Dennis Walsh, "barred" Passante from ever holding elected office or employment at the council, Zemski will remain a member in good standing the source said.
Trustees for the local discovered the misuse of local funds and reported it to the council.
News of the abrupt firings today came as Local 2287 is holding executive board elections.
The District Council had "no comment."
Top Irish Union Official Turns Fed Informer
By APRIL DREW, Irish Voice Reporter
Former president of the Carpenters Local 608 Union in New York John Greaney pleaded guilty on Friday, July 16 to a slew of charges related to corruption, racketeering, embezzlement, bribery and perjury in Manhattan federal court before the United States Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman.
An indictment charged Greaney and other officials within the District Council of New York City and Vicinity of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners with engaging in a 15-year labor racketeering scheme involving the receipt of illegal payments from multiple contractors.
The Carpenters Union is a national labor union that represents skilled workers at construction sites. In New York City, approximately 20,000 members of the union are divided into 11 locals, overseen by the District Council. Thousands of Irish and Irish Americans are part of this union.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
EXCLUSIVE: Greaney, Plea Agreement
On Friday, July 16, John Greaney, the former president and business manager of Local 608 of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman to all 13 counts against him.
Greaney is the seventh defendant in the case to plead guilty, and the highest-ranking Carpenters Union official to do so.
Greaney pleaded guilty to racketeering, embezzlement, taking bribes and perjury. He admitted he manipulated union work lists and allowing union members, including illegal immigrants, to work off the books. He also admitted to obstructing a court-ordered investigation of corruption at the District Council and he implicated other union members, including the former head of the union, Michael Forde and former business agent Brian Hayes.
Greaney would face 155 years in prison on charges, but prosecutors will ask for leniency if he fully cooperates - and helps them nail Forde and Hayes.
Below is the plea agreement John Greany signed on July 12, which he agrees to among other things, disclose all informational with respect to the activities of himself and others and cooperate fully with the Government and truthfully testify at any trial.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Page Six
We hear...THAT Immediately after former president and business manager of Local 608, John Greaney, plead guilty, business representatives Martin Devereaux, Maurice McGrath and Tom Costello arranged to meet at the Bronx office of Local 608, allegedly, to shred union documents.
Sources say the three representatives allegedly tried to get into a cabinet which was ordered locked by Local 608 President Joseph Firth.
The representatives demanded office assistant Laurie to open the locked cabinet, she refused as per her instructions by Firth.
Costello then allegedly threatened her; she called Firth, who called Supervisor Frank Spencer, who called Review Officer, Dennis Walsh.
Walsh’s office is in White Plains, he arrived at the Bronx office before the three men left. When asked by Walsh why they wanted access to the locked file cabinet, all three men gave conflicting answers. Sources said the three business representatives were suspended.
District Council representatives were instructed to reply "no comment" to any inquires regarding this incident.
Greaney, 50, is the seventh and highest-ranking union official to cut a deal with the feds since a raft of indictments in August.
Sources say that in exchange for cooperating with the Government, Greaney will do little jail time; he will then be enrolled in the U.S. Marshals Witness Security Program, where he will be relocated and given a new identity.
Greaney would face 155 years in prison on charges, but prosecutors will ask for leniency if he fully cooperates - and helps them nail Forde and Hayes.
Greaney admitted that while he was President of Local 608, he received cash bribes from multiple contractors and shared the payments with other union officers, including his co-defendants Michael Forde, the former Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the District Council and chairman of the benefit funds, and Brian Hayes, a former business agent and officer of Local 608. He also admitted to helping contractors cheat the union benefit funds and to depriving union members of his honest services.
Under the terms of his plea agreement with the Government, Greaney, will surrender to the U.S. Marshals on or before August 20, 2010, to begin serving jail time. Greaney is scheduled to be sentenced on December 17, 2010.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
EXCLUSIVE AUDIO: Listen To Thomassen on the Supervision of Local 157
As suspected by many rank and file members, union politics played a role in the November 21, 2007 supervision of Local 157.
We have obtained newly discovered exclusive audio of former disgraced carpenter president Pete Thomassen, in a rare moment of candor, exposing that the supervision of local 157 was politically motivated in order to stop vice president George Dilacio from becoming president.
Thomassen said: “I was in the office with Mike (referring to Forde) when McCarron called, He Asked, what is going on with the local? We said George Dilacio was fired as a business agent but he is staying as a vice president, He is elected and we can’t take him out of that position and he is going to become the president."
“McCarron said no way PUT THE LOCAL UNDER SUPERVISION.”
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Carpenters Union official John Greaney cuts a deal with feds and rolls over on ex-boss Michael Forde
Former Carpenters union boss Michael Forde got hammered yesterday by his right-hand man, who copped a plea and said he shared bribes from contractors with him.
John Greaney, 50, is the seventh and highest-ranking union official to cut a deal with the feds since a raft of indictments in August.
The former president and business manager of United Brothers of Carpenters Local 608 admitted he sold out his members to line his own pockets.
He let contractors hire illegal immigrants, pay below-union wages and withhold payments into the union benefit fund - then lied to the feds.
And he said the once-powerful Forde and Local 608 business agent Brian Hayes - set for trial in September - were part of it all.
"I shared in the illegal cash payments I received from the contractors," he said in Manhattan Federal Court.
Greaney would face 155 years in prison on charges, but prosecutors will ask for leniency if he fully cooperates - and helps them nail Forde and Hayes.
Forde, 55, was boss of the District Council of Carpenters for 10 years until being charged with taking bribes from a man linked to the New Jersey-based DeCavalcante crime family.
He beat that rap in 2008, but was charged in a separate indictment in 2009.
"John Greaney's guilty plea unfortunately confirms that corruption has been deeply entrenched within the Carpenters Union," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said.
"In today's tough economic times, the jobs of tradesmen cannot be entrusted to leaders making back-door deals to line their own pockets."
Friday, July 16, 2010
Press Release
Former Carpenters Union Leader Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court, Admitting Years of Racketeering, Illegal Payments, and Obstruction of Justice
PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; GEORGE VENIZELOS, the Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"); and MARJORIE FRANZMAN, the Special Agent-in-Charge for the New York Region of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General ("DOL-OIG"), announced today that JOHN GREANEY, the former president and business manager of Local 608 of the Carpenters Union, pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge HENRY B. PITMAN to all 13 counts against him.
Ex-Carpenters union head John Greaney pleads guilty to racketeering, embezzlement, bribery, prejury
BY Scott Shifrel
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A former leader of New York's carpenters union pleaded guilty Friday to a slew of corruption charges, becoming the seventh official to cut a deal with the feds.
John Greaney, 60, former president and business manager of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters' Local 608, copped to racketeering, embezzlement, taking bribes and perjury.
He admitted he manipulated union work lists and allowing union members, including illegal immigrants, to work off the books.
He also implicated other union members, including the powerful head of the union, Michael Forde.
"I shared in the illegal cash payments I received from contractors," Greaney said, admitting that he also shared the money with Forde and former business agent Brian Hayes.
He also admitted lying under oath to deny the scheme and obstruct a court-ordered investigation of corruption at the carpenters union District Council, where Forde served as secretary-treasurer until he was busted last year.
Greaney made the statements at a hearing before federal Magistrate Henry Pitman after signing a plea deal with the U.S. Attorney's office.
Greaney, who faces up to 155 years in prison, declined comment.
Of the 10 union officials charged in the massive corruption scheme last year, he is the highest ranking to plead guilty.
Prosecutors say the officials took bribes in exchange for letting contractors pay below-union wages and withhold benefits from workers.
"John Greaney's guilty plea unfortunately confirms that corruption has been deeply entrenched within the Carpenters Union," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said.
"In today's tough economic times, the jobs of tradesmen cannot be entrusted to leaders making back-door deals to line their own pockets. The hardworking men and women of the Carpenters Union deserved better."
Forde and Hayes are expected to be tried in Manhattan Federal Court in September.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Message From Spencer
Updated July, 17
"Thank you for your email. I am dedicated to open and honest communications within this Council. In response to members inquiries, including your e-mail, regarding the 60 day hold I have posted a message on the New York City District Council of Carpenters website." -- Frank Spencer, Supervisor NYCDC, July 15, 2010
Interesting Spencer says that in June "your representatives through a majority vote, did enact a 60 day hold on the scheduled raise."
More Questions:
- Since we are under supervision, UBC supervisors are the only people empowered to oversee and conduct the affairs of the district council, who are these so-called "representatives" that voted?
- Why did these so-called representatives not tell the membership anything about this vote?
- Why weren't stewards told of this vote when they go to the council weekly?
- Why after telephone calls to the council and business agents on July 1, no-one knew anything about the 60 day hold?
- What section of the Collective Bargaining Agreement provides provisions for altering a CBA in effect, through a majority vote of "your representatives?"
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Exclusive: Michael Brennan Plea Transcript
Below is the plead transcript of Michael Brennan, the former crooked shop steward for Local 608 who pleaded guilty on Tuesday July 6, to racketeering charges in a scam that betrayed his fellow union members by letting a contractor-turned-informant defraud the union.
Brennan was among ten people named in a 29-count indictment on August 5, 2009 with stealing millions from the union and its benefit fund and led to the ouster of powerful NYC District Council of Carpenters boss leader Michael Forde, who tested positive for coke and pot after he was busted.
Brennan is the fourth shop steward to plead guilty in the case, along with Finbar O'Neill, the contractor prosecutors accused of delivering cash payments to indicted former carpenter boss Michael Forde, and who plead guilty on May 20, to making payments to Forde.
Five out of the ten co-conspirators named in the indictment have plead guilty, sentencing is expected in late October, after the Forde trial.
Forde goes to trial Sept. 7, along with two top former union leaders, John Greaney, and Brian Hayes, shop steward, Joseph Ruocco and Joesph Olivieri, a benefits trustee.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Michael Brennan, steward for mobbed-up carpenters union, pleads guilty
BY Robert Gearty
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A shop steward for the mobbed-up carpenters union pleaded guilty Tuesday to letting a contractor-turned-informant defraud the union in exchange for $100,000 in bribes.
Michael Brennan was indicted last August on federal racketeering charges, as were District Council of Carpenters head Michael Forde and eight others.
Brennan is the fourth shop steward to plead guilty in the case. Drywall contractor Finbar O'Neill, a reputed Luchese crime family associate, has also pleaded guilty.
An Open Email To UBC Supervisor Frank Spencer
Dear Mr. Spencer,
This email is in response to your letter to the membership dated June 30, 2010 regarding the implementation of a 60 day delay of the July 1, contractual raise.
Several members have contacted me through email and posted questions regarding this temporary delay in wages on Local157.blogspot.com, a blog I operate to help keep our members better informed.
In keeping with your goals of building a union that is more “transparent that promotes communication and inclusion,” I have taken the liberty of assembling the emails and concerns into a list of eight questions.
Can you please review and provide answers to the following questions in-order to provide a greater understanding about the “new policies and programs implemented in this council.”
- Your letter stated that “employers have requested long term concession, which you have rejected,” can you list them?
- Your letter states “our representatives have decided to implement a 60 day delay of the July 1, contractual raise,” when was this decided and what representatives made this decision?
- Your letter states “we will also be making demands on our contractors as sacrifices should be shared,” can you list these demands?
- Your letter states that this “temporary step will help work get off the ground or keep going through the summer months,” can you list the projects that will "get off the ground?"
- Why was no advance word given or any attempt to get the consent of the rank and file regarding this delay in wages?
- On July 1, numerous calls were made to the district council and several business agents regarding the scheduled wage increase, no-one had any information about the 60 day delay, can you explain why?
- The Collective Bargaining Agreement provides provisions for altering a CBA in effect, requiring the employer to give written notice of a contract change and the execution of a newly negotiated agreement, when did you receive such written notice and when was the new agreement signed?
- Critics say you do not have the authority to unilaterally alter the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement that is in effect, and it is a violation of the National Labor Relations Act to do so, how do you respond?
Thank you for your attention regarding this matter.
John Musumeci
Local157.blogspot.com
cc Dennis Walsh, Review Officer
Benjamin Torrance, Assistant U.S Attorney
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Forde Cohort Pleads Guilty To Racketeering
Last Updated: July 7,
The New York Post reported that Michael Brennan, a former crooked shop steward for Local 608 pleaded guilty this afternoon to racketeering charges in a scam that betrayed his fellow union members by letting contractors hire illegal aliens to work off the books.Michael Brennan was among ten people named in a 29-count indictment on August 5, 2009 with stealing millions from the union and its benefit fund and led to the ouster of powerful carpenter labor leader Michael Forde, who tested positive for coke and pot after he was busted.
Forde the indicted head of the New York City District Council of Carpenters and his two union paid co-conspirators, John Greaney, 49, a business manager and president of UBC Local 608, and Brian Hayes, 38, a business agent and trustee of Local 608, were fired from office August 12, 2009 by International Brotherhood of Carpenters General President Douglas McCarron.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy Birthday, America
Independence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America. Founded July 4th 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America is celebrating it's 234th birthday this year.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
60 Day Wage Freeze
On June 30, with no advanced notice or any attempt to get the consent of the rank and file, Supervisor Frank Spencer unilaterally implement a 60 day delay of the schedule July 1, 2010 carpenter contractual raise, thereby changing the terms and conditions of a five-year collective-bargaining agreement (CBA), that was in effect, beginning July 1, 2006, and ending June 30, 2011.
There has been discussion on this blog that this "Unilateral Change" to the CBA by Spencer, violates the National Labor Relations Act.
Bill wrote:
The foremost provision of the NLRA was the ability and right of said working man to "ORGANIZE" AND TO "BARGAIN COLLECTIVELY" for their Wages, Benefits and Working Conditions and Rules.
Collective Bargaining Agreements (contracts), once struck and executed (Signed) cannot be fraudulently altered by the Fund Trustees and Fiduciaries whether from the Labor Side or from the Employer Side.
When they do so they act against the interests of the working man and woman and engender to make the changes behind closed doors without the consent and the Vote of the Membership, via Secret Ballot, said changes are not only done in Collusion, they are Illegal on their Face.
I posted this page as a starting point so members can express their opinions and start a discussion on the possibility that by altering the status quo, by unilaterally changing an established term or condition of employment to the CBA is illegal.
To help you get started and informed in the discussion, I posted a "Basic Guide to the National Labor Relations Act".
Friday, July 2, 2010
Official: Exec's corruption plea won't impact Dutton development project
By Michael Valkys
Poughkeepsie Journal
Developers who want to revitalize the vacant A.C. Dutton Lumber Corp. site said their plans will not be affected by the conviction of a former company principal on federal corruption charges unrelated to the City of Poughkeepsie project.
Finbar O'Neill, described as a founder of New Jersey-based The O'Neill Group and husband of the company's chief executive officer, pleaded guilty May 20 in federal court in Manhattan to conspiracy to make unlawful payments to union representatives and making unlawful payments to union representatives and officers.
The plea was part of a federal probe into corruption involving New York City's carpenters' union. None of the charges against Finbar O'Neill were related to the Dutton project.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Spencer Unilaterally Freezes Carpenters Wages
Supervisor Frank Spencer has decided to implement a 60 day delay of the schedule July 1, 2010 carpenter contractual raise.
There was no advanced word given to the rank and file regarding the wage freeze or any attempt by Spencer to get the consent of the rank and file.
This temporary wage freeze "will help work get off the ground or keep going through the summer months", Spencer wrote in a letter dated June 30, and posted on the District Council website late this afternoon.
Spencer did not present any specifics about what projects would "get off the ground" or what jobs would be saved by adopting this wage freeze.
It is also unclear if this action by Spencer violates the National Labor Relations Act or if Spencer has the authority to implement a wage freeze and delay a contractual raise.
Carpenters I spoke with on the condition of anonymity were stunned to learn of the wage freeze, "Once again we have been kept in the dark."
"It's outrageous, we have no input or voice in any decision that affects the lives of the brothers and sisters who strap on the tools everyday and who pay the bills for this union."
"Is this Spencer's definition of a more transparent union?"
New Fiscal Year Prevailing Wage Schedules
This is to inform you of the latest prevailing wage schedules for NYC Building Trades. For more information visit the NYC Office of the Comptroller’s web site.
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