You were officially notified more than thirty days ago on June 14, 2012 that you would no longer be in good standing and your membership status with the District Council and the U.B.C. would be changes to arrears if you did not pay your working dues listed below by September 1, 2012.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Working Dues Letter
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Judge Berman's, DECISION AND ORDER
In the court papers filed August 10, 2012 in federal court in Manhattan, rank-and-file carpenters request Court intervention on the new three dispatch rule and the MWA Arbitration crisis.
Attorney Joshua Douglas, writing on behalf of the rank and file says, "members request your intervention over two matters of concern to them, (1) The announcement by the District Council that it will be executing changes to the Out-of-Work list commencing on August 13, 2012 (2) The finding of an Arbitrator that the "Most Favored Nation" clause was triggered by a contract signed days after the indictments of union officials in 2009 by an individual whom Review Officer Walsh has determined lacked authority to bind the District Council.
Judge Berman ordered "that the RO and District Council comment in writing on the enclosed letter on or before August 15, 2012."
Below is Judge Berman's, DECISION AND ORDER.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Back to the Future
Judge Finds District Council in Contempt - Request System Abolished
(This was originally posted May 31, 2009)
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED, as follows:
1. The District Council and Peter Thomassen, its president, are adjudge and held in contempt of this court for violating the 1994 Consent Decree by bargaining away the job referral rules.
2. The current Request System, under which contractors have the unfettered right to "request" anyone they want from the out-of-work list, is abolished.
3. Allow the contractor to select particular carpenters for a job up to but not in excess of 67 percent of the total carpenter work force. That percentage is made up of the contractor's 50 percent under the 50/50 Rule, and an additional 17 percent, representing one-third of, and to count against, the Union's 50 percent. The remaining 33 percent of the carpenter work force will be assigned by the Union from the OWL.
4. Restore the six-month provision contained in Job Referral Rule 5(B), so that a contractor cannot request a carpenter and have that carpenter count against the Union's 50 percent unless that carpenter has been employed by that contractor during the previous six months. But under no circumstances may carpenters chosen under Rule 5(B) count against the 33 percent assigned by the Union directly from the OWL.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Nearly all unions climb aboard Hudson Yards labor-cost deal
Related Cos. hammers out worker pact that should get first half of megaproject rolling
By Daniel Massey
After months of tense negotiations, the Related Cos. and the city's construction unions have agreed in principle to a series of cost-saving measures that will help push the $15 billion Hudson Yards project forward and ensure that it is built with union labor.
Some four dozen unions covering more than a dozen trades agreed to cut wage and benefit packages and change work rules in order to grab a piece of a massive construction project that could keep their members working for at least 10 years. The overall deal, known as a project labor agreement, is not yet final, but last week, District Council of Carpenters delegates voted to approve a 10% wage and benefit reduction for work on Hudson Yards, the last of the participating unions to agree to help Related control costs.
In the homestretch
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Working Dues are Legal and Necessary
Urgent: Deadline for Remaining in Good Standing is August 31, 2012
Members who have not paid their working due assessment for hours worked January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012 will be placed in arrears status on the UBC membership processing system on September 1, 2012. As per the UBC Constitution, members in arrears status will not be entitled to any privileges, rights or donations. These privileges and rights include admittance to membership meetings and officer eligibility.
It has come to the attention of the Council that there are those who challenge the legality of working dues payment to the union. Please be advised these working dues are legal and necessary. Failure to fulfill this obligation will result in the loss of membership status, which is in compliance with the UBC Constitution; the new By Laws established by the UBC supervisors as well as the Working Dues Resolution of January 31, 2008.
We encourage members to pay their dues and remain in good standing with their fellow union brothers and sisters. If you have any questions regarding this very important matter, please refer to the attached resolutions or contact us directly. We are stronger together.
In Solidarity,
The New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters
Below is the evolution of rulings leading up the 2008 working dues resolution.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Carpenter union's leaders OK contractors deal
A new contract with employers swaps easier hiring rules for union carpenters with a near-17% wage and bennies hike over five years.
By Daniel Massey
New York City District Council of Carpenters delegates voted overwhelmingly Wednesday night to approve a new five-year contract with a key industry association, a major step towards ending a protracted labor saga that has left the union's 25,000 members without a contract for 14 months.
The deal with the Association of Wall-Ceiling and Carpentry Industries, a collection of contractors that employs more than half of the union's members, passed by a vote of 60 to 23. Earlier this year, the union's rank-and-file members soundly rejected several contracts that had been negotiated by the union's previous leadership, but they will not be given the chance to ratify the deal this time around.
The agreement includes the controversial hiring clause known as "full mobility," which allows contractors to bypass the union out-of-work list and select any member of the District Council to work for them.
The current system compels contractors to hire at least one-third of their workers via union referrals, as per a court order.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Carpenters Nail New Agreement
 |
| Delegate meeting, members gallery sits behind caution tape. |
A seemingly never-ending labor saga that has left 25,000 carpenters without a contract for the last 14 months has finally ended.
At tonight's Delegate Body meeting, the executive committee of the New York City District Council of Carpenters recommended a contract proposal by the Association of Wall-Ceiling and Carpentry Industries, that inculdes "Full Mobility," a controversial clause that allows contractors to hire union members without official referrals from the out-of -work list.
The standing order mandated by Federal Judge Haight, dated May 26, 2009 mandated a 67% - 33% Hiring Ratio from the Councils out-of-work list.
The agreement was presented to the union's 100-member delegate body for approval by roll-call vote and passed 60 to 23 in favor of the contract.
The carpenters' contracts expired June 30, 2011, and have been extended numerous times to allow for continued negotiations. Tentative deals were reached at one point, but in March, union members soundly rejected contracts with four industry associations, including Wall-Ceiling, largely because they included the hiring clause, "full mobility."
Contract Negotiations Update
Crain's is reporting that...The executive board of the New York City District Council of Carpenters is expected to vote Today on a contract proposal by the Association of Wall-Ceiling and Carpentry Industries,
a collection of contractors that employs more than half of the union's
members. If the union board OKs the deal, the agreement could be
presented to the union's 100-member delegate body for approval.
The WC&C proposal is posted on the NYCDC website and includes "Full Mobility."
It's not clear if the union's rank-and-file
members will be given the chance to ratify the contract.
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 tonights Delegate Body meeting.
The delegate meeting will be held in the meeting space of the school on the second floor
starting at m 5:00 p.m. Please have your current union ready for presentation at the door to gain
admission.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Carpenters may be close to nailing contract
Union leadership votes expected after 14 months of back-and-forth between 25,000 carpenters and the contractors who hire them.
By Daniel Massey
A seemingly never-ending labor saga that has left 25,000 carpenters without a contract for the last 14 months could be nearing an end.
The executive board of the New York City District Council of Carpenters is expected to vote Wednesday on a contract proposal by the Association of Wall-Ceiling and Carpentry Industries, a collection of contractors that employs more than half of the union's members. If the union board OKs the deal, the agreement could be presented to the union's 100-member delegate body for approval as soon as Wednesday evening. It's not clear if the union's rank-and-file members will be given the chance to ratify the contract.
"We've made a proposal," said John DeLollis, executive director of the contractors' association, though he declined to offer specifics other than to say it includes a controversial clause that allows contractors to hire union members without official referrals from the carpenters union. "I'm hopeful it goes through, and we'll have a deal after 20 months of negotiations."
A spokesman for the District Council of Carpenters said that contract negotiations were "ongoing" and declined to comment further.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Wanted: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Taft-Hartley Benefit Funds
Position Location/Title
Benefit funds located in New York City are currently seeking an Executive
Director, reporting directly to three Boards of Trustees.
Funds Description
There are seven separate plans that provide health, pension, annuity,
vacation, and job training benefits, and one charity fund. The combined
assets of the Funds exceed $4 billion. The names of the Funds are as
follows:
- New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund
- New York City District Council of Carpenters Pension Fund
- New York City District Council of Carpenters Annuity Fund
- New York City District Council of Carpenters Apprenticeship, Journeyman Retraining, Educational and Industry Fund
- New York City District Council of Carpenters Relief and Charity Fund
- Hollow Metal Pension Fund
- Hollow Metal Trust Fund
- Retirement and Pension Plan for Officers and Employees of the NYDCC and Related Organizations
Saturday, August 18, 2012
A COVER UP OR JUST A SEVERE CASE OF NAPOLEON COMPLEX
Napoleon Complex: “Short, Cocky, Hot tempered, arrogant, ignorant, attention whore, especially when in a position of power.”
 |
| Napoleon (Lebo) Bonaparte |
By Silence Dogood
Judging by the reported actions of Mr. Lebo at delegate meetings it is quite clear that Mr. Lebo fits the symptoms listed above for Napoleon Syndrome. Although in Mr. Lebo's case I do not believe it is so much his stature as it is the pressures of his position that has left him with inferiority issues. A position he is clearly not qualified to hold or experienced enough to fulfill. It seems Mr. Lebo is not going to let a little thing like duty to interfere with his ego.
After years of corruption and the NYC District Council being controlled by greedy and power hungry little men, it became necessary for the Federal Government to step in and take over.
Part of that takeover was to impose Review Officer (RO) Dennis Walsh, on the rank and file of New York City.
Walsh has done some good things, such as weeding out many unsavory characters and has done some questionable things, such as his recent removal of duly elected officers, who despite his claims, the consent decree does NOT allow him to do.
One of the first things Walsh did in his rise to power was impose his version of Unionism on the New York City rank and file.
He made the statements early on that the Locals had “outlived their usefulness” and worked diligently to destroy the power of the Locals and destroy the ability of Local Officers to represent the will of their membership.
Walsh has insisted and demanded that all power and decisions that would shape the future of the rank and file in NYC be put in the hands of his new “Super Trooper” delegate system.
Never in the history of the NYC rank and file has the roll of the council delegate become so important.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
You Don't Get It!
 |
| EST Bilello |
Free Speech Under Attack AGAIN!!!!
 |
| Heil Hypocrite Lebo! |
By Richard Dorrough
Yes again!!!. This is not the first time Bill Lebo, who it is clear by his actions, lied to get elected to office, has tried to silence John and dictate what is Free Speech.
He has attempted before to silence John or anybody else who exposes his and Bilello's ignorance and incompetence. He does not want anybody exposing his personal war on member’s rights, such as his attempt to stop member’s galleries and to stop member ratification of contracts, when the vote does not go his way.
He and Bilello's campaign to stop members from obtaining information and being informed makes the Forde regime look like boy scouts.
In January, I wrote "Free Speech Under Attack, " when again, Lebo was threatening John with charges for giving members what they are entitled to, Information!!
Back then, Lebo was smart enough to not file charges, because like now, John will sue his ass and this harassment campaign can potentially cost the NYC District Council and members a great deal of money.
Something to be clear, JOHN DOES NOT WANT THIS FIGHT.
But for Lebo, it does not matter. His ego is at stake. After his disgusting display at the delegate meeting, where he was blown up like a puff fish and screaming like a wounded girl, he must file charges. If justice really exists in the NYC District Council, this should cost him his Secretary’s job.
RALLY!!!
 |
| Click to enlarge. |
Where: NYC District Council of Carpenters
(395 Hudson Street on Clarkson Street).
WHY: AGAINST FULL MOBILITY & SECRET BALLOT VOTES
FOR: DUTY OF FAIR REPRESENTATION & MEMBER RATIFICATION
On August 8, the Executive Committee voted to send the Wall-Ceiling & Carpentry Association proposal, including FULL MOBILITY, but with a nominal increase, to the Delegate Body, for secret ballot ratification.
Crain’s New York Business, March 27, 2012: “Members of the carpenters union have soundly rejected four contracts negotiated with contractor associations last year—a blow to contractors because the deals included a number of work-rule changes that they have long coveted.
The primary one was “full mobility” provision that would have enabled contractors to select any member of the union to work for them; the current system compels them to hire at least one-third of their workers via union referrals [...] The new executive secretary-treasurer of the 25,000-member carpenters union, Mike Bilello, had argued against “full mobility” during his election campaign but did not take a formal position on the deals, except to say they deserved a vote.
“There were some unpopular things [in the agreements], in particular the full mobility,” Mr. Bilello said. “It was really a referendum on full mobility.” Four months later, the Bilello Administration has conceded full mobility to WC&C!
RO & DC Response to Court Intervention
In the court papers filed last Friday in federal court in Manhattan, rank-and-file carpenters request Court intervention on the new three dispatch rule and the MWA Arbitration crisis.
Attorney Joshua Douglas, writing on behalf of the rank and file says,
"members request your intervention over two matters of concern to them, (1) The announcement by the District
Council that it will be executing changes to the Out-of-Work list
commencing on August 13, 2012 (2) The finding of an Arbitrator that the "Most Favored
Nation" clause was triggered by a contract signed days after the
indictments of union officials in 2009 by an individual whom Review
Officer Walsh has determined lacked authority to bind the District
Council.
Judge Berman ordered "that the RO and District
Council comment in writing on the enclosed letter on or before August
15, 2012."
Below is their response to that letter.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Bilello & Lebo Embroiled in Alleged Cover-Up!
 |
| Alleged co-conspirators, EST Mike Bilello and President Bill Lebo. |
At last Wednesday delegate body meeting, I requested to have the meeting minutes "corrected" to reflect the "personal and intimidating" comments, made by the EST, which were left out of the meeting minutes.
Last month, during questioning, on the MWA crisis, Bilello and Lebo, became unhinged, made personal and intimating comments, allowed members of the delegate body to disrupt the meeting, and moved to file charges against me, allegedly for revealing "strategy," by posting the names of newly hired "outside attorneys" on this blog (see article: "Insanity").
Bilello said, if you want to amend the minutes, and have the comments entered, "I do not have a problem with that."
President Lebo, then called for a motion to have the minutes amended, and the motion failed (partisan delegates voted not to include the "personal and intimidating" comments).
Lebo's call for a motion was out of order, Bilello (who is also the recording secretary) has a duty to keep a "detailed" record of the meeting.
Council Bylaws Section 10(A) states: "The Executive Secretary-Treasurer shall cause to be kept a detailed record of each Council Delegate Body meeting."
Also Roberts Rules Article X.60. states: "When the minutes are to be published, (disseminated to delegates) in addition to the strict record of what is done, as heretofore described, they should contain a list of the speakers on each side of every question, with an abstract of all addresses, if not the addresses in full, when written copies are furnished."
Non-partisan Delegates interviewed on the condition of anonymity, said, "they are all (allegedly) conspiring in a cover-up, they don't want their comments and behavior made public, it makes them look bad, they want to keep it secret."
Local157blogspot, has obtained an exclusive transcript of the July 25, 2012 delegate body meeting, that the alleged conspirators want kept secret.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Carpenters request Court Intervention
In the court papers filed Friday in federal court in Manhattan, rank-and-file carpenters request Court intervention on the new three dispatch rule and the MWA Arbitration crisis.
Attorney Joshua Douglas, writing on behalf of the rank and file says,
"members request your intervention over two matters of concern to them. I
have enclosed memorandums detailing their positions regarding each
matter. "
The matters of concern are (1) The announcement by the District
Council that it will be executing changes to the Out-of-Work list
commencing on August 13, 2012 despite having failed, and denied, the
members any opportunity to exercise their right to comment on such
changes and (2) The finding of an Arbitrator that the "Most Favored
Nation" clause was triggered by a contract signed days after the
indictments of union officials in 2009 by an individual whom Review
Officer Walsh has determined lacked authority to bind the District
Council.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Page Six
Contract Update...Informed sources say last night the Executive Committee passed the WC&C proposals for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which includes full mobility. The proposal passed by a 7 to 2 vote, the delegate body is expected to vote on the CBA at tonights delegate body meeting. Meeting starts at 5pm and is open to all members, in the meeting space of the school on the second floor.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Hudson Yards: NYC's urban town within a city
By VERENA DOBNIK
New York lost the 2012 Olympics, but the city's bid for the summer games spurred another, visionary venture: building up the largest undeveloped parcel in Manhattan.
While London got the games, New York was left with the best opportunity for development remaining in town.
On Manhattan's West Side, the old Hudson rail storage yards are surrounded by potholed roads, warehouses, low-rent brownstones, cheap delis and strip clubs. Crowds waiting for discount buses line 10th Avenue. And homeless New Yorkers camp out in desolate lots strewn with garbage.
But the area, also home to the global headquarters of The Associated Press, has seen progress in the seven years since New York lost its bid to host the Olympics.
On a hot summer day, passers-by catch a glimpse of a deep man-made hole in the ground - the core of a subway line extension to the area from Times Square. More than a dozen residential towers have been built near the Hudson River, along with several hotels. And both residents and tourists are flocking to the hugely popular High Line, an elevated rail line transformed into a grassy walkway.
This October, developers of the ambitious Hudson Yards project expect to break ground on a skyscraper where the Olympic stadium could have been.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Double-Standards and Hypocrisy
|
| Double-Standard Hypocrites, EST Mike Bilello and President Bill Lebo. |
Bilello "was elected to the office of Executive Secretary-Treasurer in January 2012 with a commitment of a transparent and corruption free union. Bilello looks to lead the District Council with honesty, integrity and wisdom, using a wealth of experience to serve the membership." (John's note: They were elected December 15, 2011 and sworn in on January 11, 2012).
"Lebo believes that in order to have a strong union the rank and file membership must have a meaningful voice in their Union’s direction and governance as well as complete transparency of the governmental decision making in the Council."
Of course these two leaders set double standards: one for themselves, and one for the rest of the members of this union.
Members are tired of the same old story, leaders promising and saying they are for members rights and transparency, then once in office, behave completely opposite.
Case in point, the Bilello administration is arguably secretive, and gives lip service to members rights and transparency, consider the following:
- They have not communicated a single word, and there has been a virtual news blackout on the MWA Arbitration situation, "a grave and imminent crisis."
- Other than posting the results of the March, contract ratification vote, they have communicated very little on contract negotiations.
- They have not reported on the firing of Joesph Epstein as Executive Director of the Benefit Funds
- They supported the barring of the Delegate Body "membership gallery."
Friday, August 3, 2012
A Message from the EST on What Your Working Dues Are and Why You Should Pay Them
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Members' assessments play a huge part in how the District Council operates and remains functional.
Collections began in 1978 with a 15 cent assessment, approved by a rank and file vote and obtained by the local. Five cents of that was provided to the District Council. In 1982, assessments were collected by the District Council and were determined based on 1% of members' total package--also determined by a vote from the rank and file. Then in 2000, delegates voted for a 30 cents an hour assessment with 20 cents toward organizing, 5 cents toward communications and 5 cents for political action. Total assessments were again increased by a vote from the delegates to 60 cents an hour in 2005 with 50 cents earmarked for organizing and 10 cents split between political action and communications.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Contract Negotiations Update
There is a message posted on the District Council's website that says, "Contracts Talks Extended to August 31, 2012." No other information is provided.
Carpenters have not received a raise since October, 2011, and been working without a contract since June 30, 2011.
Last week we reported that John Delollis, Director of the Wall & Ceiling Association
(WC&C), was invited to address the delegate body on Wednesday July
25th and present the WC&C proposals for the Collective Bargaining
Agreement (CBA).
Mr. Delollis, said the four major issues the WC&C want are:
- Full Mobility with only NYCDC members 50/50 with all outsiders.
- No pay differential for shift work.
- Eliminate the half day work for full days pay for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. These days to remain as regular work days.
- Allow two man jobs without the assignment of a shop steward.
In March carpenters soundly rejected four contracts negotiated with contractor associations last year—a blow to contractors because the deals included a number of work-rule changes that they have long coveted.
The primary one was “full mobility” provision that would have enabled contractors to select any member of the union to work for them; the current system compels them to hire at least one-third of their workers via union referrals.
Agreements with the Building Contractors Association, Cement League and Wall, Ceiling and Carpet Industries were all rejected by nearly 2-to-1 margins, with nearly 2,400 votes cast on each.
Council to Implement New Three Dispatch Rule
Update This was posted on Councils website August 2, 2012.
In compliance with the Review Officer's recommendation in his 4th interim report, the 25-day rule will be replaced with a 3-referral rule. There will be no limit on the number of days for each referral (a referral consists of dispatches, requests and/or shapes). Once a member accumulates three consecutive referrals they will be automatically dropped from the Out of Work List (OWL). These changes will go into effect August 13, 2012.
**********************************************
Informed sources say, that on August 13th the District Council will implement a change to the dispatches on the out-of-work list (OWL).
Current dispatches under the 25-day rule will be replaced with a three dispatch rule.
We are told that there will be no limit to how long a member can work on a job within the three dispatches.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
