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.