Carpenter Contract Rally

Click to print and enlarge.

Where: 395 Hudson Street
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."

Conboy letter click to enlarge.

There has been a lack of disclosure and transparency since contract negotiations started. The rally is being planned to send a message protesting any pay-cuts or givebacks and demanding membership ratification of contracts.

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/