All members of local unions affiliated with the District Council, as well as employees of the District Council, Benefit Funds and local unions, are invited to attend the next Review Officer Forum at 395 Hudson Street. I will speak as well as answer questions and hear from those in attendance who wish to share their thoughts on matters relating to the District Council, the Consent Decree and the Stipulation and Order.
The forum will be in the meeting space of the school on the second floor from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Please have your current union or employee identification cards ready for presentation at the door to gain admission.
Dennis M. Walsh
Review Officer
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
REVIEW OFFICER FORUM ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2011
City real estate rebounds: City Facts update
What is the most important number in real estate these days? 8%.
When the office vacancy rate is at 8%, the experts say, the market is at equilibrium. Of course, we are never at 8% for long. When the number is higher, then tenants have the upper hand and rents fall. When the number moves below 8%, landlords gain the advantage and rents rise.
As you will discover in the 2011 edition of City Facts, tenants continue to have the advantage. The vacancy rate is 9.4% and the average asking rent for office space in Manhattan is $55.52 a square foot. By comparison, the lowest average vacancy rate in the last boom was 5.3% in 2007 and the next year asking rents hit an average of $71.59 a square foot. The lowest vacancy rate in recent decades was recorded in 2000 when the figure fell to 3.7%.
Nevertheless, the picture City Facts paints is of a recovering market. Net effective rents have fallen sharply even if asking rents have not increased much. Space absorption has turned positive. Office building sales are on the upswing. Media companies are taking more space, helping to offset weakness in financial services. In the retail space markets, tourists are fueling increases in rents as stores compete for space in areas like Times Square. In fact, retail rents hardly declined in the recession.
On the residential side, apartment prices have remained surprisingly strong throughout the housing meltdown elsewhere. Co-ops and condos each comprise 50% of the sales market. Co-ops accounted for two-thirds of sales two-decades ago, a sign of the growing importance of condos in the residential market.
Judge Sides With NYC & Unions on Construction
By ADAM KLASFELD
MANHATTAN (CN) - New York City said it will proceed with $6 billion in
infrastructure updates after a federal judge preserved its project labor
agreements with an organization representing some 50 local unions.
The
agreements with the Building and Construction Trades Council, which aim
to reduce strikes and standardize work rules, outline the construction
of a new police academy and a larger 911 call center.
In 2009,
the city and the council struck a deal for public infrastructure
projects involving a projected 32,000 construction jobs through 2014.
About 1,800 of these are anticipated to be new construction jobs.
The
deal relied on project labor agreements, defined by the White House as
"a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor
organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment
for a specific construction project."
On Feb. 6, 2009, President
Barack Obama issued an executive order encouraging project labor
agreements for federally funded projects costing $25 million or more to
increase efficiency and timely completion of large-scale construction
projects.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Amalgamated Carpenters and Joiners Union
Statement of Building and Construction Trades Department President Mark H. Ayers on the Possible Formation of Amalgamated Carpenters and Joiners Union
Erroneous reports have surfaced that suggest that the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO is directly involved and/or assisting with the formation of the Amalgamated Carpenters and Joiners Union, or working in tandem with agents purporting to represent this new union that is being organized by disaffected members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. To be clear, the Building and Construction Trades Department is not currently, nor has it ever been, involved with the formation of this potential new union.
Having said that, the Department has, and always will, respect and defend the democratic rights of any group of American workers to select collective bargaining representation of their own choosing, including the Amalgamated Carpenters and Joiners of America, provided that such representation is not founded upon a singular desire to "raid" members of another union.
We also harbor concerns over reports that the new Amalgamated Carpenters and Joiners Union is contemplating a shift away from a defined benefit pension structure and towards a defined contribution structure under a 401(k) plan. Defined contribution plans are entirely dependent upon the whims of the stock and bond markets and, as recent events have made abundantly clear, that is not a recipe that spells security for any worker.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Clouds Part, Carpenters Return to Negotiating Table
After having been blown off-course as Friday deadline neared, talks between contractors and 25,000 workers set to resume Tuesday; four of five deals seen near, one not.
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| No Pay-Cuts; hundreds of carpenters protesting union headquarters. Photo courtesy © Patrick J. Shields 2011 |
Hurricane Irene provided a brief reprieve for carpenters and contractors, who faced a deadline Friday night in their ongoing talks to reach a new contract for some 25,000 workers.
With the storm approaching, the two sides decided to extend their deadline into this week. Talks will continue Tuesday in an attempt to bridge what remains a considerable gap between the District Council of Carpenters and several contractor associations.
Deals with four of the associations are believed to be close, but a wide gap remains in talks with the General Contractors Association of New York and the Cement League, sources said.
Representatives for the two associations did not return calls seeking comment. A spokesman for the union confirmed that talks would resume tomorrow, but could not say how long officials would extend them in an effort to forge a deal. Hundreds of rank and file carpenters rallied last week at their union's Lower Manhattan headquarters chanting “no pay-cuts” in an attempt to pressure union officials not to make concessions.
Their contracts expired June 30, but negotiating deadlines have been extended several times as contractors and the union have tried to hammer out a deal. Delegates voted earlier this month to authorize a strike, but it appeared on Monday as if further talks would come before any job action.
Negotiations for the carpenters are being led by Frank Spencer, who was appointed in 2009 by the general president of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America to oversee the local union after several of its officials were indicted for bribery.
Among the key issues in the negotiations is full mobility, or contractors' insistence on the right to hire 100% of workers they choose. Presently, as per a federal judge's order, they must hire a third of their workers through the union's hiring hall.
Contractors argue that the system is inefficient and results in productivity losses because they end up with workers who may not have the particular skills needed on specific job sites.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Contract Update: Bigger Storm Brewing
Forget Irene; Carpenters Union Prepared To Strike
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| Hundreds of Carpenters protesting union headquarters. |
Carpenters have been unable to hammer out new deals with several contractor associations. The carpenters' contracts expired June 30th and deadlines have been extended several times.
"At this time all seven contractor associations are continuing to negotiate and have contract extensions," the council posted on their website.
On Thursday August, 25 the union put their final proposal on the table, "we are willing to stay at the bargaining table until midnight if necessary and negotiate in good faith and hope to reach an agreement with our contractors," the union source said.
"We are also making preparations and plans for a possible strike, we have given the contractors until Friday to respond," as the clock ticked down to a potential work stoppage.
Late Friday afternoon, after several discussions with contractors, a decision was made to put the strike on hold due to Hurricane Irene and an agreement was reach to extend the contract. "We are in a holding pattern until early next week," the source said.
Contractors advised the council that construction crews are needed around the city to secure scaffolding and at the World Trade Center site where steps are being taken to protect 10 huge tower cranes from the battering winds, securing some with cables, while allowing others to safely swing free.
Earlier this month, concrete laborers walked off the job at One and Two World Trade Center, the new transit hub and a handful of other construction sites in the city amid a push by contractors to reduce their wages and benefits for residential and hotel construction by 20%. The union reached a deal earlier this week that included an 8% raise over three years.
Last Friday rank-and-file carpenters mobilized into action after learning the District Council and the contractor associations had tentatively agreed to a new five-year contract calling for five percent pay cuts in the first year, after already given up two scheduled pay increases.
Hundreds of hard working rank and fliers staged an impromptu rally at union headquarters protesting the tentative agreement. Two carpenters were arrested, as hundreds broke through the police barricade set up across the street from the council and charged the building with signs chanting, "This is our building, This is our building"..."Rats in the building, Rats go home, Rats in the building, Rats go home"...and "No Pay-Cuts, No-Pay-Cuts."
Contract Negotiations are being led by Supervisor Frank Spencer, who was appointed in 2009 by UBC President Douglas J. McCarron to oversee the District Council after several of its officials were indicted for bribery.
Union officials pulled back and withdrew the agreement for a pay-cut after members of the advisory committee and delegates, who will cast ratification votes felt pressure from the rank and file and objected to the agreement.
On Thursday one day before the Friday extended contract deadline, hundreds of rank and filers again kept the pressure on union leaders by participating in a second protest rally, this time setting up a large rat outside union headquarters, demanding a new contract that includes wage increases.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Contract Negotiations Update
From NYCDCC
At this time all seven contractor associations are continuing to negotiate and have contract extensions. In the event the District Council chooses not to extend the contract with any or all of these associations and a job action is taken, members on affected projects will be contacted by District Council Representatives, shop stewards and local union officials. Members are encouraged to continue to monitor the District Council Website for up to date contract information.
****Please remember that the District Council is legally bound to by “no-strike” provisions on Project Labor Agreement (PLA) jobs. If you have a question regarding whether the project you are working on is covered by such a provision please ask you shop steward or the District Council Representative assigned to that project.****
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Despite Weather Rally Shines
(John's note: Here is some video of the Rally. I will post more speakers as time allows, this clip features myself, Bill Walsh and Donny Arana...enjoy)
Rank-and-file Carpenters mobilized into action for the second time sending a loud and clear message to union officials demanding a new contract that includes wage increases.
We had a great time, we had fantastic rank and file speakers and a special guest appearance by Frankie the Rat.
Members were fired up with chants of "No Pay Cuts," "Rats in the building, Rats go Home" and "Send McCarron Home."
Unfortunately overcast skies, light rain and threat of heavy rain; kept many members from attending, the weather held and the sun started to break through the clouds towards the end of the rally.
Thank you to all the members who participated and especially the rally organizers who made this rally a huge success. Click here for rally pictures.
(Click continue reading for a transcript of my Rally Speech)
IT'S HERE, RALLY TODAY: Special Guest Appearance
On Thursday August 25, Bring your whistles, Bring your signs and Bring your voice to the Biggest Rally in the history of this Union!
YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!
YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!
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| "Frankie The Rat" |
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Rally Update: MEMBERS TO PROTEST UBC LEADERSHIP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: NYC CARPENTERS RANK-AND-FILE ORGANIZED (NYCCRFO)
Contact: Demian Schroeder
(646) 321-3274
rally524@yahoo.com
MEMBERS TO PROTEST UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS LEADERSHIP (UBC)
BY RALLYING AT NYC HEADQUARTERS ON EVE OF CONTRACT EXPIRATION
-- Union Members Demonstrate Against Despotic McCarron Regime, Wage and Benefit Cuts, Forced Bylaws and Restructuring –
New York, August 23, 2011 – An organization of union members have announced a protest of United Brotherhood of Carpenters officials, Thursday, August 25th 3:30, at 395 Hudson, headquarters of the NYC District Council of Carpenters—the largest trade union in the city-- known for its history of leadership tied to organized crime, and decades of government supervision.
On June 31, NYC Carpenters agreements with the contractor associations expired, and deadlines have been extended several times. Talks reportedly were set to resume on Monday, August 22.
Rank-and-file Carpenters mobilized into action last week after learning the District Council and the employers associations had tentatively agreed to a new five-year contract calling for five percent pay cuts in the first year, after already for-going two scheduled pay increases. (Every other union in the NYC building trades has reached deals that include cost of living raises.)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Permit has been Approved For The Biggest Rally This Council Has Ever Seen!
Bring your whistles, Bring your signs and Bring your voice to the Biggest Rally in the history of this Union!
YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!
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| Hundreds of Carpenters protesting union headquarters. NEW RALLY PHOTOS ADDED courtesy © Patrick J. Shields 2011 |
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| Click to enlarge and print |
Contract Negotiations Update
From NYCDC
The District Council continues to negotiate with the following contractor associations: The Cement League, The General Contractors Association, the Greater New York Floor Coverers Association, the Hoist Trade Association of New York, the Contractors Association of Greater New York, the Association of Wall Ceiling and Carpentry and the Concrete Contractors of New York.
On August 3rd the District Council presented the Delegates and local union officers with a status report on negotiations. Since then we have met individually with the associations in the hope of reaching a fair and equitable agreement. As of today Wednesday August 24th the conditions and financial terms offered by the associations have been deemed unacceptable.
As ratified at the August 3rd meeting the District Council reserves the right to strike if that becomes necessary in the near future. In order for a potential job action to be successful the utmost cooperation from the membership is imperative. Members will be advised of strike locations and actions through communications from the District Council. We will use numerous methods to do this including but not limited to utilizing District Council Representatives, shop stewards, notification to local unions, direct member phone calls and through the District Council website.
The decision to go on strike is not one to be taken lightly but remains an option at our disposal. We will continue to keep you updated as things progress.
Be advised that for all work performed under the jurisdiction of the New York City District Council of Carpenters the terms, conditions, wage and benefit rates will continue through August 26, 2011.
The Influentials
By City Hall
Real power doesn’t always show its face in New York City.
Behind the scenes in government, business, labor and the nonprofit world, the forces that propel the city are often marshaled by people who rarely rise to public prominence. While politicians, top executives and other leaders may be the faces outsiders see of major initiatives, insiders know better.
City Hall’s second annual list of 20 influential non-elected officials profiles those people with deep contacts, long institutional memories and sterling reputations for getting things done.
In these pages, you’ll meet the people who can build skyscrapers and rezone neighborhoods, who can steer elections and guide City Hall, who can mobilize tens of thousands of people and millions of dollars, who can quietly build a consensus before most New Yorkers even know what’s at issue.
We recognize them to honor their ability to drive the agenda in a city as complicated as New York—and to provide a guide to New Yorkers who want to know how the city really works.
(Johns Note: Scroll down to read about Steve McInnis, Political Director, New York City District Council of Carpenters.)
Monday, August 22, 2011
Contract Update: Message to the Negotiating Committee and Delegates
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| Hundreds of Carpenters broke thru the police barricade and charged union headquarters. |
That was the underlying message of Fridays afternoon rally attended by hundreds of hardworking rank and filers.
Carpenters mobilized into action after learning on Saturday, that the District Council of Carpenters and the Contractors Associations have tentatively agreed to a new five-year contract that calls for a 5-percent pay-cut in the first year. (Every other trade union reached deals that include pay raises).
On Tuesday, rally fliers were posted on local157.blogspot.com, by Wednesday and Thursday rally organizers were distributing fliers to shop stewards at the District Council. Word of mouth immediately spread on job-sites and by text message and cell phones. On Friday, just days after learning of the pay-cut over 600 hundred carpenters responded and supported the impromptu rally.
At least two carpenters were arrested, as hundreds broke thru the police barricade set up across the street from the council and charged the building with their signs chanting, "This is our building, This is our building"..."Rats in the building, Rats go home, Rats in the building, Rats go home"...and "No Pay-Cuts, No-Pay-Cuts."
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Contract Negotiations Update
Hundreds of hard working union Carpenters in New York City staged an impromptu rally Friday afternoon at union headquarters protesting rumored pay cuts and lack of information about contract negotiations.
The Friday deadline to reach new contracts for 25,000 carpenters has again been extended, this time until August 26, as the District Council of Carpenters has been unable to hammer out new deals with half a dozen contractor associations.
Talks have broke down, and sources say that the tentative agreement we reported between the District Council and Contractors Associations that called for a 5-percent ($4.25 per hour) pay cut is “off the table.”
Contract Rally Photo's
I want to thank all the brothers and sisters who came out and supported this impromptu rally. Rally organizers say we have the sound permits for our next rally scheduled on Thursday August 25, at 3:30pm - the day before our contract deadline. This is expected to be the largest rally in the history of the Carpenters Union! Start spreading the word, rally updates and printable fliers will be posted soon.
Send me your pictures and video, email me at jmusumeci157@gmail.com or send me a link to your coverage of the rally and I will include it on this blog. Thank you.
iPad, iPhone users click here to see photos.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Contract Negotiations Update: Extension puts off potential carpenters' strike
Unionized contractors and carpenters remain far apart in negotiations for a new contract, nearly two months after the old one expired. The latest in a series of extensions buys some more time.
By Daniel Massey
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| Hundreds of Carpenters rally protesting wage givebacks. |
The extension came as carpenters prepared for a Friday afternoon rally in front of their union's lower Manhattan headquarters to protest rumored givebacks.
The carpenters' contracts expired June 30 and deadlines have been extended several times. Agreements with four of the associations were thought to be close, and a rank-and-file blog reported that some tentative deals including wage cuts were in place. But the author of the blog, John Musumeci, said those agreements are no longer on the table.
Mr. Musumeci said union officials pulled back after delegates, who will cast nonbinding ratification votes, objected and after concrete workers reached a deal earlier this week that included an 8% raise over three years. Sources said discussions are furthest apart between the Cement League, which negotiated the concrete deal, and the General Contractors Association of New York, which represents heavy construction contractors.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Contract Negotiations Update
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| Most expensive apartment |
John Note: Keep the pressure on, CALL YOUR DELEGATES, have all your buddies call their delegates, flood them with phone calls and emails. Your voice WILL make a difference! Tell them do not vote for any proposal that includes a reduction in wages.
The UBC has promised Manhattan Federal Judge Richard Berman, that the council delegates will vote and ratify the final version of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Please read Conboys May 26, letter page 5. Do not let anyone tell you different, the UBC could be held in contempt of court if the delegates do not vote on the contract.
PS: The Rank-and-file carpenters will rally Friday afternoon outside union headquarters on 395 Hudson Street at 3:30 pm to protest among other things, the rumored wage givebacks.
We urge all members to stand together and make their voice heard!
You'll need $98M to live up here
Now this is sky-high.
Two penthouses at a luxury building next to Carnegie Hall are being shopped around by the city's biggest brokers for a stunning $98.5 million each -- and not a single brick has been laid!
The swanky pads at ONE57 (pictured) -- slated to be the city's largest residential tower at 90 floors -- are the most expensive preconstruction condos ever, real-estate sources said.
The one on the 90th floor will clock in at 10,923 square feet and the one on the 75th floor will be 13,554 square feet.
Construction will be finished in two years.
A Park Hyatt hotel will occupy the bottom half of the building.
The penthouse price tags are lower than those selling at 15 Central Park West -- but are expected to jump 25 to 50 percent after the building is completed, said Gary Barnett of Extell Development.
By JENNIFER GOULD KEIL
Judge Deems NYC Project Labor Agreements Legal
By Carolina Worrell
U.S. District Judge Robert Patterson, Jr. ruled last week that project labor agreements (PLAs) between New York City and the Building and Construction Trades Council, an umbrella group that represents about 50 local trades unions, do not violate the federal National Labor Relations Act. The agreements, first reached in 2009 to “improve efficiency by preventing strikes and standardizing work rules,” include the construction of a new police academy and a 911 call center, both part of $6 billion worth of city infrastructure projects.
To back up its decision, the court referred to a U.S. Supreme Court decision, which determined that PLAs used to expedite a Boston Harbor clean-up project were lawful.
However, the Building Industry Electrical Contractors Association and United Electrical Contractors Association contend that PLAs are unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act. They claim that “by entering into the PLAs, the city was acting as a regulator and not a market participant, allegedly favoring unions.”
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Contract Negotiations Update: "Call Your Delegates"
There has been a lack of disclosure and transparency from UBC Supervisor Frank Spencer regarding our contract negotiations. Rank-and-file carpenters have been kept in the dark once again. Last week we reported that a tentative five-year deal had been reached that cuts wage and benefits by 5% in the first year.
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO STRAP ON THE TOOLS EACH DAY AND PERFORM THEIR JOBS TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS.
Our contract, which expired June 30, has been extended until Friday August 19, as the District Council of Carpenters and the Contractors Associations continue negotiations. Spencer will submit the final version of the Collective Bargaining Agreement to the District Council Delegates for "ratification" (see page 5 Conboy letter).
It is up to each one of you to call your council delegate and express your concerns regarding our contract.
Rank-and-file carpenters are also planning to rally Friday afternoon outside union headquarters on 395 Hudson Street at 3:30 pm to protest among other things, the rumored wage givebacks.
We urge all members to stand together and make their voice heard! For updated rally info visit: http://nyccrfo.blogspot.com/
Click for a list of delegates.
REBNY blasts concrete workers' deal
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| Steve Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York |
By Daniel Massey
The city's leading real estate group said the tentative agreement with unionized concrete workers does not provide enough cost-savings to developers.
Sources said the deal includes a wage increase of approximately 8% over three years and a 20% wage reduction on hotel and residential buildings of 16 or fewer stories. It was that latter provision that left members of the Real Estate Board of New York, who had hoped the savings would extend to hotel and residential projects of any size, bristling. Its members typically build larger projects using union labor.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Carpenter Contract Rally
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| Click to print and enlarge. |
When: Friday August 19, 3:30 pm
Rank-and-file carpenters are planning to rally Friday afternoon outside union headquarters on 395 Hudson Street to protest among other things, rumored wage givebacks. Last week I reported that a tentative five-year deal had been reached that cuts wage and benefits by 5% in the first year.
The District Council of Carpenters, the largest trade union in NYC has been working without a new contract since June 30, 2011. On Monday, the Council posted that “significant progress had been made, but a final agreement had yet to be reached and they have agreed to extend the terms and conditions of our previous contracts until August 19, 2011."
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| Conboy letter click to enlarge. |
Negotiations for the carpenters are being led by UBC Supervisor Frank Spencer, and under the current supervision rank and file members do not get to vote to ratify their contracts. According to a May 26, letter (see page 5) from UBC attorney Kenneth Conboy to Manhattan Federal Judge Richard Berman, the final version of the contract will be “submitted to the District Council Delegates for ratification.”
We urge all members to stand together and make their voice heard! For updated rally info visit: http://nyccrfo.blogspot.com/
Builders will risk strike to cut wages
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Construction sites are under threat of a strike this week. |
By Daniel Massey
Some of the city's leading developers met last week and decided to bear the short-term pain of another concrete workers strike—which might begin as early as Wednesday—in order to win concessions that could help them regain market share from nonunion developers of hotels and residential buildings.
Sources said developers met last Tuesday with representatives of the Cement League, the industry association handling contract negotiations, and vowed to support the Cement League's demand for a 20% wage reduction on residential and hotel projects.
“The bottom line is building owners are prepared to take a strike,” said one participant in the meeting. “The market is sliding away.”
The contract covering 2,700 concrete workers expired June 30, but talks have been extended several times as the industry group and the Cement and Concrete Workers District Council have tried to hammer out an agreement.
The League's continued insistence on the 20% cut led to a three-day strike earlier this month at sites across the city, including 1 World Trade Center and the nearby transit hub. Arbitrators ordered striking workers back to several sites that are covered by no-strike project labor agreements, including the second World Trade Center tower, Madison Square Garden, a luxury residential development on West 57th Street and a new Weill Cornell Medical College research center.
Labor Worries Loom at WTC
By JOSEPH DE AVILA
Contractors are bracing for additional job actions at the World Trade Center if a new deal for unionized concrete workers can't be reached by Tuesday.
Earlier this month, concrete laborers walked off the job at One and Two World Trade Center, the new transit hub and a handful of other construction sites in the city amid a push by contractors to reduce their wages and benefits for residential and hotel construction by 20%.
Concrete laborers refused to work for three days before union officials agreed to extend their old contract through Aug. 16. All parties will continue to negotiate through Tuesday, people familiar with the matter said.
The Cement League, a contractors association that represents management, and the Cement and Concrete Workers District Council, representing concrete workers, didn't respond to requests for comment on Monday.
"I don't think anything was proved last time there was a couple of walkouts," said Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York lobbying group. "There are only a couple of sites they can hurt, including the transit center and parts of the World Trade Center."
Monday, August 15, 2011
Contract Negotiations Update
From The NYC District Council of Carpenters
**As reported at the August 10, 2011 District Council Delegate Meeting**
While significant progress has been made regarding contract negotiations we have yet to reach a final agreement. Therefore the District Council and our contractor associations have agreed to extend the terms and conditions of our previous contracts until August 19, 2011. Daily communication is ongoing and steady progress is being made to finalize Memorandums of Understanding between the District Council and several associations.
There is no strike or any other job action authorized at this time. In the event that a strike becomes necessary all Local Affiliates, District Representatives, Shop Stewards and Members will be notified. Thank you for your cooperation during these difficult times.
Please be advised that for all work performed under the jurisdiction of the New York City District Council of Carpenters the terms, conditions, wage and benefit rates will continue as is pending these negotiations.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Contract Negotiations Update
Currently union carpenters earn $85.03 per hour in wages and benefits, after giving back a $2.13 contractual raise on January 1, 2011.
The tentative agreement calls for an immediate $4.25 per hour give-back, on top of the $2.13 give-back, totaling 7.5 percent or $6.38 in wage reductions.
The "huge give-backs will set wage and benefit levels back to approximately 2008 if the agreement is ratified by the council delegates," the source said.
Negotiations for the carpenters are being led by Frank Spencer, who was appointed in 2009 by the general president of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America to oversee the district council after several of its officials were indicted for bribery. He's negotiating new deals with a half dozen contractor associations. Current rules forbid the 25,000 members of the carpenters union from ratifying their contract.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Potential Looms for First New York City-Wide Construction Strike in 80 Years
By Mike Elk
Late last week, hundreds of cement workers walked off the job at the World Trade Center Site and several other sites in protest of management association The Cement League’s demand that New York City’s cement workers take a 20 percent wage reduction on residential and hotel projects. The contract between 2,700 cement workers represented by Locals 6a, 18a and 20 of the Cement and Concrete Workers of New York and The Cement League had been expired for more than a month.
Walking off the job was a bold move to signal to management that workers were not going to tolerate a 20 percent wage cut. The move was particularly brave since the sites the workers were working at were covered by project labor agreements that outlaw strikes. Thus the strike was not officially sanctioned by the union leadership, in order to avoid any legal charges being filed against them.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Larry Cary Elected a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
By Stephanie West
Larry Cary, a partner at Cary Kane LLP, one of New York City’s respected union-side labor and employment law firms has been elected a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation is an honorary organization of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles of the legal profession.
Limited to one-third of one percent of the lawyers licensed to practice law in each jurisdiction, the Fellows are nominated by their peers and elected by the Board of the American Bar Foundation. The Fellows provide support to the American Bar Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing justice through rigorous research on the law, legal processes, and the law's impact on our society
“Its great to be recognized,” said Cary, “especially since we are a union-side labor law firm.” According to Cary, “labor lawyers believe in what they do and we strive to provide the very best possible representation to their clients.” Cary has exclusively represented unions and employee benefit plans for nearly 30 years.
Judge OKs project labor agreements
In a win for unions, union contractors and the city, a federal judge finds nothing illegal about special deals made to reduce the cost of public projects.
By Daniel Massey
A federal judge late last week blessed agreements between the city and building-trade unions that were designed to save $300 million on public construction projects over four years.
Judge Robert Patterson Jr.'s Aug. 4 decision came in response to a suit filed by the Building Industry Electrical Contractors Association and the United Electrical Contractors Association, which had alleged that the project labor agreements violate the National Labor Relations Act.
The plaintiffs argued that the agreements “constitute an impermissible attempt to regulate labor relations in the construction industry” and also violate state competitive bidding statutes.
The agreements, reached in 2009, covered $6 billion in infrastructure projects through 2014, including the construction of a new police academy and an expanded 911 call center, and involving 32,000 construction jobs. The savings were to be achieved through more efficient work rules, standardized holidays and no-strike pledges. The agreements—comprehensive pre-hire collective bargaining agreements laying out the basic employment conditions for everyone involved in a project—were expected to create 1,800 additional construction jobs.
Building Permits Jump
New construction permits in New York are on the rise, a sign that the city's ailing construction industry may be picking up steam.
Construction permits for new buildings, alterations and demolition rose by about 12% during the first half of 2011 compared with the same period last year, according to new data from the city Department of Buildings. Demolitions—generally an indicator that developers are starting projects—jumped 14%.
Large-scale projects have been hard to come by in post-financial crisis New York. The boost in new permits is an encouraging sign for the industry, but the numbers don't indicate whether these are large or small construction jobs.
And while the number of construction permits is an improvement from 2010 and 2009, they are still about 6% below the figures of the first half of 2008.
"More construction permits mean more people are going to work," said Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri.
New York's construction industry has been plagued by high unemployment since the downturn began. During the first quarter of this year, there were 101,200 people employed by the industry, according to New York Building Congress, a trade association. That's the lowest level since 1998.
Union Sues Corrupt Officers & Cronies
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| Mike Forde |
MANHATTAN (CN) - Executives and contractors of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners who were convicted of embezzling millions of dollars in a racketeering scheme face a civil complaint (below) from the pension funds they looted.
The Carpenters Union and its locals and District Council have been bound by a federal consent decree since 1994, due to its "history of union corruption and organized crime influence within the District Council," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in the August 2009 indictment.
From 1994 to 2004, former Carpenter's Union chief Michael Forde took cash bribes from contractors and let them to violate terms of their collective bargaining agreements with the District Council, according to the indictment.
Contractor-defendants in the civil lawsuit include Turbo Enterprises, K.A.F.C.I. and Pyramid Associates Construction, which is owned by defendant James Duffy.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Contract Negotiations Update
From NYCDC: This notice is to inform you that the District Council and Contractors Associations have agreed to extend the current terms and conditions of our contracts until Friday August 12, 2011.
As reported at the August 3rd Emergency Delegate/Executive Board Meeting, the District Council is continuing negotiations for new Collective Bargaining Agreements with the various Associations. After a comprehensive briefing the delegates authorized the supervisors of the District Council to strike if necessary. There is no strike or any other job action authorized at this time. In the event that a strike becomes necessary all Local Affiliates, District Representatives, Shop Stewards and Members will be notified. Thank you for your cooperation during these difficult times.
Be advised that for all work performed under the jurisdiction of the New York City District Council of Carpenters the terms, conditions, wage and benefit rates will continue through August 12, 2011.
(John's Note: informed sources say the Contractor Associations are looking for a four dollar per hour give back.)
Court Conference
Next Court conference regarding US v NYCDCC et al (1:90-cv-5722) is Today, Monday, Aug 8, 2011, at 2:00 PM, (moved from 12 noon) Courtroom 21B, 500 Pearl St., New York, NY 10007-1312.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
A Statement Regarding the District Council Bylaws Approved for Publication
To all members:
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| Click to enlarge. |
The RO is granted specific authority by the Stipulation and Order. I am strictly bound to its terms. If I had been granted plenary authority to write bylaws and implement them, such a document would be different from what has been published. Paragraph 12.b of the Stipulation and Order merely requires the UBC/DC to amend the 1999 Bylaws (and the riders added over the years) to comport with the terms of the Stipulation and Order. That did not require the UBC/DC to do much. The document that has been published goes far beyond the basic 12.b requirements and reflects everything that I have been able to accomplish through negotiation – where my principal leverage has been limited to appealing to common sense and citing the terrible history of the DC as proof that cookie cutter bylaws simply are not acceptable. The UBC has conceded a great deal in this regard, and the published bylaws are unique in the scope of protection given to the governance and administration of the DC.
I urge you to compare the ’99 Bylaws with what has been published, and also study and reflect on the content and scope of the newly published bylaws and how the various new provisions, responsibilities and functions will greatly reduce the risk of corruption and empower vigilant members, delegates and officers to protect the sanctity of the union. No matter what the bylaws say, it will be up to the members and the people for whom they vote to shepherd the rights and expectations of the rank and file. Ultimately, the concerted, good faith efforts of a small group of determined and courageous members relying on and enforcing every aspect of the bylaws will provide the best insurance against perdition.
Verizon Workers Strike Over Labor Contract
Tens of thousands of unionized Verizon workers across the East Coast hit the picket lines after failing to reach a new labor contract Saturday night.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
District Council By-Laws Dated August 5, 2011
Under District Council Bylaws Section 20 and as formally recommended by the Review Officer, the Delegate Body adopted the following standing
rule at its meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2013, by a roll call vote of 81-1.
All votes relating to collective bargaining ratification should be by roll call of the Delegates.
These Bylaws are intended to conform with any and all relevant provisions of the Consent Decree, the Stipulation and Order entered on June 3, 2010, and any other Order entered in the matter of United States v. District Council et al., 90 Civ. 5722 (SDNY) (RMB). Any provision of these Bylaws that is inconsistent therewith shall be null and void, and of no force or effect.
This Council shall be the central governing body over and shall have legislative and executive powers on all matters relating to the general interest and welfare of affiliated Local Unions and their members.
A Right to Strike
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| Louis Coletti |
Carpenters this week joined members of the Cement and Concrete Workers District Council -- who have been without a contract since July 1 -- in walking off their jobs at the former World Trade Center site, though not at the 9/11 memorial.
Not surprisingly, management is irate.
“It’s offensive,” said Louis Coletti, president of the Building Trade Employers’ Association, adding that the WTC site “should never have been used as a bargaining chip.”
We understand the sentiment -- but, however sincere, it’s profoundly misguided.
Unlike members of public-sector unions -- who quite properly are barred by law and custom from striking -- construction workers have every right in the world to withhold their labor.
True, some unions in some circumstances have chosen contractually to limit their right to strike, or engage in less dramatic job actions.
And some of the affected projects, including WTC Tower 2, were covered by so-called project labor agreements that contained no-strike clauses -- and an arbitrator ordered workers at those sites back on the job. But that’s not the case for most of the Ground Zero projects.
Sure, we want to see work there continue without interruption -- after all, the site has been plagued with delay after delay for years, and the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks is rapidly approaching.
It’s easy to comprehend the impatience of outsiders, since the workers do quite all right for themselves: Wages and benefits can reach $60 an hour.
The current sticking point reportedly involved management’s insistence on a reduction in labor costs of some 20 percent -- a hefty hit, to be sure, but probably not unrealistic in today’s grim economy.
But these are things meant to be negotiated -- and, sometimes, negotiations entail slowdowns and walkouts.
To suggest that Ground Zero should be exempt from a strategy that is the union’s legal and moral right is itself “offensive.”
Better to hash this out around a table.
NY Post
Friday, August 5, 2011
2nd Ave. Serenade Hardhat Starts Spreadin' Tunes
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| Ironworker Gary Russo |
A Second Avenue Subway hardhat with a velvety voice is helping to soothe the headaches of construction-weary Upper East Siders.
For the past two weeks, Gary Russo -- a Local 40 ironworker on the $4 billion project -- has devoted his precious 30 minutes of break time to sing Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin standards.
Nearby residents need relief from constant sounds of jack-hammers and heavy machinery on the street, he says.
"We've infected this neighborhood with noise," he said. "I'd be up in arms, too."
Every day, the blue-eyed laborer lugs his karaoke kit to work from his Queens home.
SONGSTER: Ironworker Gary Russo sweetens the sounds of Second Avenue Subway construction yesterday with a little lunchtime music.
In his orange construction jumper and Carhartt pants, he looks nothing like his idol, Sinatra.
Then he starts to sing.
Union Agrees to Pact
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| One World Trade Center towers over the lower Manhattan skyline, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011 in New York. The skyscraper is now 76 floors and will reach 104 floors. |
Concrete laborers who had refused to work at the World Trade Center for three days returned to the job Thursday after their union reached a deal with contractors the night before.
But labor turmoil at the World Trade Center is not over: Another clash looms with the carpenters union—which voted to authorize a strike Wednesday.
The Cement League, a contractors' association that represents management, and the Cement and Concrete Workers District Council, representing concrete workers, agreed late Wednesday night to extend a contract until Aug. 16. Both declined to comment.
Talks will resume Friday, said Louis Coletti, president of the Building Trades Employers' Association, a management umbrella group. "I think it's a good thing. That means they will continue to talk and hopefully find a way to resolve it," he said.
Meanwhile, the union that represents about 22,000 carpenters voted on Wednesday night to authorize a strike if they don't reach a deal with management by Friday, when their contract extension ends.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Concrete workers return, but Carpenters OK Strike
Walkouts at the World Trade Center and other construction sites end as concrete workers extend a deadline for a new contract. Meanwhile, the carpenters union authorizes a mid-August strike.
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| Carpenter Rally April 12, 2011 |
By Daniel Massey
While one construction labor dispute cooled this week, another heated up, posing a new threat to projects across the city.
Concrete workers, who walked off their jobs at the World Trade Center and other sites Monday, agreed to return to work Thursday and extended their deadline for a new deal to August 16, labor and industry sources said. If no deal is reached by then, the workers could strike again.
Representatives of the Cement League and the Cement and Concrete Workers District Council declined to comment.
Meanwhile, delegates of the second largest construction union in the city, the 25,000-member District Council of Carpenters, voted unanimously Wednesday night to authorize their union to strike if agreement on a new contract isn't reached by Aug. 15, a source close to the building trades said. The carpenters' deal expired at the end of June.
Ground Zero construction strike called off by concrete workers union
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| World Trade Center concrete workers called off a union strike Wednesday. |
Striking concrete workers agreed last night to go back to work at the World Trade Center after a two-day walkout, sources told the Daily News.
The deal restarts work stalled at the Freedom Tower and World Trade Center transit hub after the Cement and Concrete Workers District Council walked off the job Monday in a dispute over wages and the use of nonunion labor.
The union agreed to return to work this morning under the conditions of a contract that expired June 30 and to extend contract talks until Aug. 16, the sources said.
Industry analysts had feared if the strike continued it could bring work to a halt at the Trade Center and result in the layoff of more than 1,000 workers.
The strike did not affect the 9/11 Memorial, which is on target to open on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
The 2,700-member union also walked off several other high-profile construction projects on Monday, but they returned to work yesterday after an independent arbitrator ruled they were violating no-strike provisions in their labor agreements.
Alex Castaldi, business manager of the 2,700-member Cement and Concrete Workers District Council, declined comment.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
GangBox Commentary, By Richard Dorrough
I have to wonder. Are you delusional. When Forde was convicted the first time he got the full support of McCarron and the UBC. All through his corrupt term he had the full support and collusion of the UBC, McCarron and Spencer.
When Forde ran for office last time he did so with the full support of Spencer, McCarron and the UBC.
McCarron and the UBC who are supposed to speak for the membership told the membership that Forde was a good guy and to vote for him. ANYBODY who tried to expose Forde and his cronies for the crooks they were and are, which has been confirmed by the US Attorneys Office, were PERSECUTED with the full might of the UBC,McCarron and Spencer.
I said PERSECUTED. Make sure you read it.
Ruling: Some WTC workers can't strike
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| World Trade Center site. |
By Daniel Massey
An arbitrator late Tuesday ordered striking concrete workers back to their jobs at four sites across the city, ruling that their walkout violated a no-strike provision in labor agreements covering the projects.
The order covered walkouts at Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, World Trade Center Tower 2 and a luxury residential development on West 57th Street. A separate hearing is set for later today on the walkout at a new Weill Cornell Medical College research center on East 69th Street.
It does not affect the strike at the World Trade Center's Tower 1 and transit hub, which are not covered by so-called project labor agreements. On Wednesday morning, workers remained out at those sites. The agreements were negotiated between the industry and construction unions to jumpstart construction in the face of the economic downturn.
Emergency Delegate/Executive Board Meeting
Wednesday August 3, 2011 @ 5:30PM 10th Floor Meeting Room at District Council
The District Council has called for an Emergency Meeting of all Delegates and Executive Board Members. Pending Negotiations and current updates will be discussed.
By William Davenport:
"Judge Berman did not rule yet on mobility. the delegates voted for the right to strike. the wc&c want four dollar give back for contract, strike may begin on Monday 8/8/11."
John's Prediction of tonight's meeting:
The District Council will announce a deal has been reached on a proposal to submit to the Court a Stipulation and Order (executed by the District Council, the Review Officer, and the U.S.Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on behalf of the United States of America) permitting full mobility for signatory contractors. The proposed Stipulation and Order would require the implementation of the anti-corruption measures as a condition precedent to full mobility, and it would be submitted with signed collective bargaining agreements indicating the Employers' agreement to those requirements.
Carpenters Join WTC Job Action
Concrete Workers, Contractors at the Negotiating Table
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| Pasquale Deodata, right, and Michael Pappalardi, center, were among the laborers not working on Tuesday. |
Carpenters are refusing to work at a World Trade Center project and other sites in solidarity with cement laborers who have staged a work stoppage as they negotiate a new contract.
More than two-dozen carpenters have joined hundreds of cement workers in a job action at One World Trade Center that began Monday. The cement worker stoppage has slowed construction there and on the World Trade Center's new transit hub, both being built by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, according to people familiar with the matter.
The New York City District Council of Carpenters, which represents New York City carpenters, said it has not encouraged the job action. The union is negotiating a new contract.
Another PLA Myth Busted: PLAs Fail to Prevent Strikes on NYC Projects
Construction unions market project labor agreements (PLAs) to public and private construction owners as a tool to guarantee labor peace on construction projects.
But recent examples of strikes on PLA projects in NYC and other areas across the U.S. call into question the value of these anti-competitive schemes designed steer contracts to union contractors and union members.
MYTH: PLAs Prevent Strikes.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Concrete talks resume as strike enters Day 2
Widening impact seen if work stoppage continues; key sticking point seen as management's demand for a 20% wage cut on residential and hotel projects.
By Daniel Massey
Negotiators from the concrete workers union and an industry association were expected to meet Tuesday afternoon in an attempt to put an end to a two-day walkout that threatens to bring construction at the World Trade Center site to a crawl.
The walkout began Monday, at a section of the World Trade Center transit hub, World Trade Center Tower 1 and other sites scattered across the city, more than a month after the contract covering 2,700 concrete workers expired. Talks between Laborers' Locals 6a, 18a and 20 of the Cement and Concrete Workers of New York and the Cement League, an industry association, have been extended several times past deadlines. There's been progress on most issues, but management's demand for a 20% wage reduction on residential and hotel projects has been a sticking point, an industry source said.
Workers were not striking at the World Trade Center Memorial, which is scheduled to be completed in time for the upcoming tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. But they did walk off their jobs at the new Weill Cornell Medical Center research building on East 69th Street, the industry source said, even though that project is covered by a labor agreement that includes a no-strike clause. An arbitration hearing on that walkout could come as soon as Wednesday.
NOTICE OF NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICERS
Supervision and Conduct of Elections
Pursuant to Paragraph 5.k of the Stipulation and Order entered on June 3, 2010, in the matter of United States v. District Council, et al., 90 Civ. 5722 (SDNY) (RMB), the elections referenced herein are being supervised by the Review Officer.
The nomination and election of officers of the District Council of New York City and Vicinity of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (the “District Council”), specifically, the Executive Secretary-Treasurer, President, Vice President, Warden, Conductor and three Trustees, will take place as follows:
Comments on Draft Election Rules
Beginning Monday, August 1, 2011, members may review Draft Election Rules prepared and promulgated by the Review Officer. The Draft Election Rules may be viewed on the District Council website (www.nydistrictcouncil.com) or may be acquired upon request at the District Council and at each local union office. All comments on the Draft Election Rules must be sent to Review Officer Dennis Walsh, 395 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, by Monday, August 22, 2011. Comments may also be sent to the Review Officer via email addressed to dmwfw@verizon.net. All members who comment must provide their name and UBC number to the Review Officer.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Workers Stage Walkout at World Trade Center Site
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| A recent aerial view of the World Trade Center site. |
Hundreds of unionized concrete workers walked off the job at the World Trade Center on Monday, setting up for a possible strike in the coming days.
The contract covering the workers expired on July 1. Since then, the concrete workers have been operating without a new contract.
Officials with the Cement and Concrete Workers District Council representing the concrete workers declined to comment. Officials with the Cement League, a contractors’ association that represents management, couldn’t be reached for comment Monday. However, a source familiar with the matter said the two parties are currently negotiating.
Without concrete workers, work cannot proceed on part of the World Trade Center’s transit hub, according to a person familiar with the matter. Other construction tradesmen continued work at the site on Monday, but a prolonged work stoppage could affect their work if they need concrete to proceed, according to that same person.
Concrete workers also stopped working at Tower 1, but other construction there will be able to continue for about a week or so, according to another person familiar with the matter.
Monday’s work stoppage by the concrete workers union will have “no impact on construction of the 9/11 Memorial, which remains on track to open on the tenth anniversary [of the attacks], and minimal impacts on the site’s other projects,” said Steve Coleman, a spokesman with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Ex-union member fights hefty Carpenters fine
Union members better think twice before working for a non-union company — it could cost them.
The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters imposed a $300,900 fine on a former union member who crossed a picket line and went to work for a non-signatory contractor while he was still part of the union, court documents show.
The individual, Nathaniel Musser, who was a member of Waukegan-based Local 250, has filed charges of unfair labor practices against the union with the National Labor Relations Board. A hearing is set for mid-August.
Musser, described as a young man, could not find employment through the union, said his lawyer, Stanley Niew. He eventually found a job through a non-union company that has since gone out of business and performed work on various dates in April and May of 2009.
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