An open letter to the brothers and sisters of the NYCDCC

Greg Kelty

Vote for Greg Kelty For EST 

Brothers and Sisters: I have been a member of this District Council for 29 ½ years. I hold a Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a Major in Finance. I am presently the Treasurer of Local Union 157 and Delegate to the DC. I am a strong advocate for our members and work tirelessly to insure the rank and file members are not being taken advantage of by the leadership of the council.

These past two years have been a rude awakening for many of us, this Council has been a ship without a rudder wandering aimlessly from month to month. We have had an absence of vision and leadership at the council for too long. The only objective of this council since the UBC International ended its supervision has been to shove crappy contracts and PLA’s down working carpenter’s throats. Even in light of the news that construction starts may hit or even surpass the highs of 2007 next year, our leadership is still approving PLA wage and benefit concessions.

Our Rep center is a complete failure. Our council reps seem to have little knowledge of the contracts and jurisdictional issues. I have heard from way too many members that council reps don’t represent them, they are there for the contractors and when they should be going to bat for our contractors over jurisdictional issues, they give our work away.

I think most of us will agree the Organizing Department has undoubtedly been the costliest and biggest failure of any department at the DC. The Area Standards Campaign has not produced a single benefit for our members and has been a dismal failure for years. It seems it's only purpose is to give DC reps high paying jobs and members a place to fulfill their annual picket obligation so we don’t lose $500.00. The fact that no one at the Council acknowledges this complete failure shows a complete lack of vision and leadership.

Many of our delegates will tell you our legal counsel at the DC are an embarrassment and a disgrace. From the MWA fiasco to lack of filing legal notices for the strikes in a timely manner is inexcusable.

The most recent embarrassment was at the last court conference, despite assurances from the DC, Judge Berman was shocked to find out that the compliance program and IT systems put in place are not functioning as promised. Judge Berman approved full mobility, at the objection of many members, because of the assurances he received from the DC that its compliance program is 100% functional, and now as a consequence the contracts are in jeopardy of being abolished.

At the conference, Review Officer Dennis Walsh remarked about the failure of leadership at the DC:

"The frustrating thing about the District Council of Carpenters is that it only responds to negative inducement. One would have thought that after all these years of oversight, the pendency of a consent decree since 1994, and the stipulation and order since June of 2010 that the leadership at the union would have decided, finally, we must engage in rigorous self-analysis. We must figure out how to improve this institution so that it is perfected, so that not only is corruption eradicated, but that it functions as the modern, efficient, compliant business that it must be to benefit its 20,000 members and their families."

Brothers and sisters, we need leadership at the council that is willing to take the bull by the horns and engage in rigorous self-analysis. We need a leader with vision and a can do attitude who will step up and say we understand these problems and, with alacrity, we are going to solve them and move this DC into the modern, efficient, compliant business that must benefit our members and their families!

Fraternally,
Greg Kelty

ATTENTION NYCDC MEMBERS

CLICK TO PRINT

On January 6, 2014, American Arbitration Association (AAA) will mail ballots to eligible members for a special election for the balance of the term of the office of District Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer (“EST”) which expires on January 11, 2015. Ballots must be received by 5 p.m. January 23, 2014 in order to be counted. Ballots are tallied by AAA and the results, subject to later certification, announced on January 24, 2014.

ELECT GREG KELTY FOR EST

Joe Geiger voted for: 

• ALL PLA Wage CUTS 
• PLA Benefit cuts 
• FULL MOBILITY 

SAY NO TO RETIREE PREMIUMS
SAY NO TO PLA CUTS
SAY NO TO JOE

STAND WITH THE RANK AND FILE 
ELECT GREG KELTY FOR EST 

You can help Greg win by printing copies of the above flyer and post it on the job site.

Old Local 257 Union Hall

A Message from our Executive Secretary-Treasurer Pro Tem

Steve McInnis

Brothers and Sisters, When I became Executive Secretary Treasurer Pro Tem I stated my first priority was to get all members working under current collective bargaining agreements for the first time in over two years with increased pay and benefit contributions. Working with our Executive Committee and Delegate Body we have made great strides to that end in the past few months. The Delegates have ratified new contracts covering thousands of our members within our largest employer associations. There still are contracts to be done and we are committed to getting them done.

More than a dozen contracts have been negotiated and ratified in 2013 and more are expected before the New Year. Some members are already seeing wage increases, while others will be implemented soon. With the certainty of working under current collective bargaining agreements with wage and benefit contribution increases, workers can once again focus on the job at hand. This is also good for the members and their families because we have made responsible additional allocations to the Welfare Funds and have seen real improvement. With guidance from our actuaries and in cooperation with Management Trustees there is potential for some restoration of benefits lost over the last few years. We know these changes have been a burden on many of our members and look forward to the day when we can make even small positive changes.

CONTINUE READING...

Essay Questions for EST Candidates

As part of Review Officer (RO) Dennis Walsh's election schedule, candidates must report to the District Council to write a 500 -word essay on topics related to District Council governance.

The RO asked the following questions to Gregory Kelty (Local 157) and Joseph Geiger (Local 1556).

What is your plan to insure that the DC is: (1) corruption free, (2) complying with Court Orders and its Bylaws, (3) using all appropriate methods to grow man hours, (4) spending all monies in a prudent manner and (5) using modern technology and efficient work flows in accomplishing its daily business?

CONTINUE READING...

McCarron directs Local 157 to Rerun Delegate Election

In summary, Local Union 157 is directed to rerun the election for delegates as soon as practical and in accordance with the requirements of the UBC Constitution. Any member who was previously nominated but no longer wishes to be a candidate should withdraw their candidacy. Also the President of the Local Union should exercise the authority provided for under section 33A and "determine all questions of eligibility for office subject to appeal to the General President under section 53G".

CONTINUE READING...

THE SIXTH THIRTY-DAY REPORT REGARDING ELECTRONIC JOB REPORTING AND RELATED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES

(John's note: Can someone try dissecting this report and post what it means, for the life of me I don't understand what this report is trying to say).

The District Council submits this Sixth Thirty-Day Report pursuant to (1)the Decision& Order entered on May 8, 2013 , (2)the Order entered on June 11,2013, (3) the Order entered on July 16, 2013, (4)the Order entered on September 3, 2013 , (5) the Order entered on September 12, 2013, and (6) the Order entered on October 23, 2013 in United States v. District Council, 90 Civ. 5722 (RMB).

This report covers the period from November 1, 2013 to November 30, 2013 and sets forth statistics regarding electronic job reporting and related anti-corruption compliance measures established by the District Council's collective bargaining agreements ("CBAs") with the Wall-Ceiling and Carpentry Industries of New York, Inc. ("WC&C"), the Building Contractors Association, Inc. ("BCA"), the General Contractors Association of New York, Inc. ("GCA"), the Floor Coverers Association of Greater New York, Inc. ("FCA"), the Contractors Association of Greater New York ("CAGNY"), and the Cement League, Inc. ("CLI").

CONTINUE READING...

Endorsed Court Order regarding IT at the DC

I write to follow up the letter that Barbara Jones sent to the Court on behalf of the District Council on December 3, 2013 and the parties' discussions with Your Honor during the December 4, 2013 conference related to the District Council's Technology Committee and IT Modernization plan.

CONTINUE READING...

Judge Berman sets January 28, 2014 conference to discuss new agreements

District Council is requesting that Your Honor schedule a conference on issuing an Order similar to those earlier Orders with respect to CBAs providing for full mobility, electronic reporting of job sand hours,anti-corruption compliance features for two separate collective bargaining agreements ("CBAs"), between the District Council and the Association of Concrete Contractors of New York, Inc. ("ACCNY”) and CBAs with the General Contractors Association of New York, Inc. ("GCA").

CONTINUE READING...

Judge Berman sets status conference for new EST election

We write in accordance with your endorsement of December 11, 2013 on our December 10, 2013 response to the most recent letter of Patrick Nee regarding the Special Election for Executive Secretary-Treasurer ("EST") of the District Council. We set forth below the timeline of the Special Election, pertinent intervening litigation and re-set Special Election,as well as facts and circumstances regarding Mr.Nee not being approved to run for EST,in an effort to fully satisfy the Court's endorsement.

CONTINUE READING...

It's Gregory Kelty versus Joseph Geiger for EST

Gregory Kelty (Local 157) and Joseph Geiger (Local 1556) have been interviewed, reviewed by Review Officer (RO) Dennis Walsh and have accepted nominations for a special election for the balance of the term of the office of District Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer (“EST”) which expires on January 11, 2015.

The RO will conduct the remainder of a special election for EST, as follows:

12.18.13 Kelty and Geiger may submit three standard sized pages (8.5 inch by 11 inch) of campaign literature for posting on the District Council web site; candidates must report to the District Council to write a 500 -word essay on topics related to District Council governance.

1.6.14 The AAA mails ballots to eligible members.

1.8.14 A debate for Kelty versus Geiger open to all members and held as a special part of the business of the delegate meeting that day. The debate will be video recorded by District Council personnel and a video of the event will be posted on the District Council web site during the course of the next day.

1.23.14 The AAA must receive ballots by 5 p.m. in order to be counted on 1.24.14.

1.24.14 Ballots are tallied by the AAA and the results, subject to later certification, announced and posted on the District Council web site. The RO will prepare the ballot. The order of candidates on the ballot will be determined by a drawing conducted at the nominations meeting.

1.27.14 Kelty and Geiger submit the second of two campaign financial disclosure forms to the RO. The winning candidate, after certification of the results by the RO, will be installed at the next meeting of the delegate body and will preside upon his or her installation. Any and all protests must be filed directly with the RO at 395 Hudson Street in a timely manner, i.e., within five work days of the time when the complainant becomes aware or reasonably should have become aware of the action under protest. See Section Six, page 11, of the election rule

Local 157 Annual Holiday Meeting

You Entered The Twilight Zone

(John's note: reading the Court Transcripts of December 4, made me feel like I entered the Twilight Zone).

The Obsolete Man is an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone. It deals with themes of Orwellian totalitarianism, euthanasia, collectivism and religion.

"You walk into this room at your own risk, because it leads to the future; not a future that will be, but one that might be. This is not a new world: It is simply an extension of what began in the old one. It has patterned itself after every dictator who has ever planted the ripping imprint of a boot on the pages of history since the beginning of time. It has refinements, technological advances, and a more sophisticated approach to the destruction of human freedom. But like every one of the super states that preceded it, it has one iron rule: Logic is an enemy, and truth is a menace."

Quote of the Day

"I don't get it. You're either at 95 percent compliance or you're in unchartered territory. You can't be in both places at the same time."–– Judge Richard M. Berman

Below is an excerpt from the Court Conference on December 4, 2013 between EST Pro Tem Steve McInnis and Judge Berman.

THE COURT: Do we have present today anybody from the district council, the EST, for example, the interim EST or somebody else who could address that?

MS. JONES: Yes, your Honor.

MR. MURPHY: Yes, your Honor.

THE COURT: Could he address this issue? Nice to meet you. Wherever you're comfortable. At the podium if you like or there.

MS. JONES: Your Honor, I should also tell you that vice president Mike Cavanaugh is here and a number of other representatives from the district council.

THE COURT: Thank you. If you could state your name for the record.

MR. McINNIS: Steven McInnis. How you doing, your Honor.

Currently we have a process for hiring that's required by the bylaws. We have six names that have been sent to the review officer for review to put six more representatives in the field.

When it comes to administrative staff, we've actually added four additional admin staffs temporarily to deal with this issue.

CONTINUE READING...

Court Conference on December 4, 2013

Below is an excerpt from the Court Conference on December 4, 2013 between Review Officer Dennis Walsh and Judge Berman.

MR. WALSH: Thank you, your Honor. Dennis Walsh, the review officer.

The frustrating thing about the District Council of Carpenters is that it only responds to negative inducement. One would have thought that after all these years of oversight, the pendency of a consent decree since 1994, and the stipulation and order since June of 2010 that the leadership at the union would have decided, finally, we must engage in rigorous self-analysis. We must figure out how to improve this institution so that it is perfected, so that not only is corruption eradicated, but that it functions as the modern, efficient, compliant business that it must be to benefit its 20,000 members and their families.

We had here this morning because the Sword of Damocles is palpable on the head of this union. Nothing has changed in terms of the quintessential horse who not only will not be led to sweet water, but falls down and says drag me to that sweet water, to valleys of green grass that will make him strong, like a child who won't eat his spinach, and that's all. When is it going to end? When is the district council step up and say we understand these problems and, with alacrity, we are going to solve them?

I think that among the options that the Court to set a rigorous deadline for perfection of this system, no matter how many human beings they have to throw at it, so that they can come back to this Court and say we have 100 percent of the information in this system that the members will need to use Operation Watchdog. And if that is not achieved quickly, I think it's fair to abolish the contracts, to set the parties back to the table, but to hold on to the imperative of --

THE COURT: So abolish --

MR. WALSH: -- electronic reporting.

THE COURT: -- which contracts?

MR. WALSH: All of the contracts previously approved by the Court on the promise that this compliance program would work.

THE COURT: You mean the collective bargaining agreements.

MR. WALSH: Yes, the collective bargaining agreements is what I mean by the contracts.

CONTINUE READING...

Transcript of Court Conference on December 4, 2013

THE COURT: So following our last session I was quite concerned about some of the issues that we discussed and that appear to be going on here, and for that reason I issued the November 25, 2013 order and have received some helpful submissions from all of you, including the Mr. Walsh's latest report, the seventh interim report of the review officer, which I think is very helpful. It also raises some issues or perhaps they've been bubbling under the surface which I'm quite concerned about in addition to the issue of the technology and the technology fixes which I want to discuss today.

So I'd like to get right to it. In a subsequent memo endorsement of mine dated November 27, I indicated an order in which I would like to proceed today and I indicated that I'd like to hear from the government first and then the district council and then Mr. Walsh. And let me just tell you why I think that's the appropriate order and mechanism.

So first, obviously, this is the government's case historically and currently. It's U.S. v. District Council, et al., and the origin of the case has to do with, among other things, what were undeniably a history of bad practices and corruption in the union.

So I thought that given that context and given that one of the central problems I'm concerned about now is the implementation, the very belated in my opinion implementation of these electronic reporting systems which were, as I indicated in my order, part and parcel of approval of the collective bargaining agreements going back over the last month, given the fact that those very reporting requirements were presented to me and described by you all -- and by "you all" I mean, for example, Mr. Murphy and others -- as anti-corruption measures, I wanted to start and get the government's take on this particular issue about how these collective bargaining agreement aspects are being implemented from the bigger perspective of what this case has been all about.

And I don't have to remind you as I indicated in the order dated November 25 that there was on my part, and others, as well, there was an enormous change in these collective bargaining agreements which was the implementation of what is described as full mobility. And that was done with considerable thought, but it did represent a sea change in how hiring took place with these contractors. These contractors got a huge benefit in that regard in my opinion. And the quid pro quo for that full mobility was the implementation of -- one of the quid pro quos was implementation of these anti-corruption measures. And so clearly the full mobility was implemented but the measures were not.

And as I read these materials -- by the way, I haven't read all of them in detail, but I've read most of them in the main including the seventh interim report, including Judge Jones' letter dated December 3, and including the additional supplemental letter dated December 3, 2013 from Kauff McGuire & Margolis that has to do with pension issues.

So before I just turn to all of you because I don't want to monopolize the conversation, but there was one other point that I would like to make. And I don't know if it's become obvious, but from my point of view when we have these proceedings and hearings, one of the most beneficial aspects from my point of view is to hear actually from the people who implement whatever it is we're talking about.

So, for example, when we're talking about the benefit funds, you know, we have the most talented lawyers in the world sitting right here in front of us, but sometimes it's preferable to get beyond the lawyers and to hear from the people who are actually doing the work and I would like to continue to do that going forward. We had that experience particularly with the benefit funds, and I think that has worked quite well actually hearing from those people who are in charge of investments and the benefit funds as employees, not just as lawyers.

And I would like -- there's a lot of mention in both Judge Jones' letter and in the seventh interim report of the people who were actually implementing these technology changes. It would be useful and beneficial for me to hear directly from them. And I'm always happy to hear from lawyers as well, but those are the people who really are doing the job and so I would like to hear from them as well.

But anyway, enough said by me. I would start with Mr. Torrance.

CONTINUE READING...

Letter to Judge Berman —Objection to EST Election

Dear Judge Berman, I am writing in regards to the election for Executive Secretary Treasurer which the Review Officer has directed to be held, where he holds no authority under the Stipulation and Order to do so. There is nothing in the Stipulation and Order or the court approved election rules which gives the Review Officer the authority which he is now attempting to wield. He has exceeded his authority in this matter, and I am seeking Judicial Review of the Review Officers actions in this matter under section 11 of the Stipulation and Order.

CONTINUE READING...

EST Pro Tem November Town Hall

The Seventh Interim Report Of The Review Officer

Review Officer Dennis Walsh has issued his Seventh Interim Report, (with exhibits) the report contains numerous items of interest and is a must read for all members.

Seventh Interim Report Exhibits. 1-10
Seventh Interim Report Exhibits. 11-20

CONTINUE READING...

REVISED SCHEDULE FOR SPECIAL ELECTION OF EST

11.8.13 The election notice is mailed to members by the District Council; it includes information on the schedule and related events as well as information required by law.

11.11.13 Petitions are made available to all interested persons; 150 verified signatures must be obtained.

11.22.13 Completed petitions must be filed with the RO at 395 Hudson Street by 6 p.m. Observers must also be named by each candidate.

11.27.13 The RO completes petition review and begins candidate interviews as part of the approval process required by the Stipulation and Order.

12.11.13 The candidate interview and review process is completed; a portion of the regular delegate meeting open to all members will be dedicated to nominations and acceptances of nominations from the RO-approved list of candidates. All nominees will then be eligible to speak at local union meetings occurring thereafter through 1.23.14.

12.13.13 Candidates submit the first of two campaign financial disclosure forms to the RO.

12.18.13 Candidates may submit three standard sized pages (8.5 inch by 11 inch) of campaign literature for posting on the District Council web site; candidates must report to the District Council to write a 500 -word essay on topics related to District Council governance.

1.6.14 The AAA mails ballots to eligible members.

1.8.14 A debate for candidates open to all members is held as a special part of the business of the delegate meeting that day. The debate will be video recorded by District Council personnel and a video of the event will be posted on the District Council web site during the course of the next day.

1.23.14 The AAA must receive ballots by 5 p.m. in order to be counted on 1.24.14.

1.24.14 Ballots are tallied by the AAA and the results, subject to later certification, announced and posted on the District Council web site. The RO will prepare the ballot. The order of candidates on the ballot will be determined by a drawing conducted at the nominations meeting.

1.27.14 Candidates submit the second of two campaign financial disclosure forms to the RO. The winning candidate, after certification of the results by the RO, will be installed at the next meeting of the delegate body and will preside upon his or her installation. Any and all protests must be filed directly with the RO at 395 Hudson Street in a timely manner, i.e., within five work days of the time when the complainant becomes aware or reasonably should have become aware of the action under protest. See Section Six, page 11, of the election rule

Happy Thanksgiving Brothers and Sisters

The first Thanksgiving in the New World was celebrated in mid-October 1621, nearly a year after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Much later, George Washington was the first of many US presidents to formally proclaim a day of thanks. The following prayer was offered in 1789, in appreciation of the hard-earned independence of the United States of America:
 
Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.

And, finally that Thou wilt graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Amen.

 I would like to wish you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Mobsters plead guilty to racketeering, extortion

By Selim Algar

Hey, the gang’s all here.

A parade of Genovese wiseguys and associates — including an elderly captain and a burly union leader — pleaded guilty to a range of classic mob crimes Wednesday in Brooklyn federal court.

Genovese captain Conrad Ianniello, soldiers Salvester Zarzana and James Bernardone and two others copped to a slew of mafia misdeeds in front of Judge Nicholas Garaufis.

The crime quintet was among 11 Genovese hoods who were swept up in an April 2012 bust and charged with everything from shaking down vendors at the annual San Gennaro festival in Little Italy to extorting contractors on major construction projects to union wrangling.

In addition to his San Gennaro activities, the elderly Ianniello was also charged with running illegal gambling enterprises and union fixing. He copped to gambling and extortion raps.

Bernardone serves as the Secretary Treasurer of Local 124 of the International Union of Journeymen and Allied Trades and Zarzana formerly headed the Local 926 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners.

“I along with others, conspired to steal property through the threat of economic harm,” Bernardone said meekly in a scripted statement to the court.

Bernardone was smacked with racketeering raps related to his shakedowns of contractors performing work throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens from 2006 to 2009 including the construction of a Hampton Inn on Ditmars Boulevard.

The Bronx resident is out on $750,000 bond but nearly had it revoked in June after he attended a mobster-laden wake that was attended by more than two-dozen known hoods who were paying respects to a neighborhood fixture in March.

A pair of other Genovese associates, Paul Gasparrini and Ryan Ellis, also copped pleas Wednesday.

The gangsters will all remain out on bail until their March 14 sentencing.

DECISION & ORDER

An (additional) conference in this matter is scheduled for December 4,2013 at 9:30 a.m.

The purpose of the conference is to further explore(and remedy)the delayed implementation of the anti-corruption "compliance procedures" called for in the recent collective bargaining agreements("CBA")between the District Council and the Wall-Ceiling and Carpentry Industries of New York,Inc.,Building Contractors Association,General Contractors Association of New York,Floor Coverers Association,Contractors Association of New York, and the Cement League.

The Court remains concerned about the disturbingly slow pace of technology implementation, particularly because these matters have been pending since at least August 2012.

Also, as discussed at the November 18, 2013 conference,the Benefit Funds (Ryk Tierney) are directed to provide the Court with written information on all of the costs (IE., advisory fees,commissions,legal fees,etc.)associated with managing the investments of the Funds on or before November 26,2013.

CONTINUE READING...

Weekly Compliance Message from the EST

The District Council is continuing efforts towards electronic reporting. Currently, Shop Stewards working under the Wall Ceiling, BCA of NY, CAGNY, GCA of NY (Carpenters), the Floor Coverers and the Cement League Association agreements are required to file their reports electronically. I believe electronic reporting has and will continue to enhance the ability of the District Council and Benefit Funds to ensure that employers meet their contractual obligations and members receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

I want to remind Shop Stewards that they can electronically report time in three ways. Stewards can use the tablet device they received from the District Council. Alternatively, they can log on to the Electronic Reporting System through the District Council website from any computer with internet access, or, if they have an iPhone, they can install an easily downloadable “App” and submit time using their cell phone. It is important that Shop Stewards become familiar and comfortable with using one or more of these alternatives to report time.

CONTINUE READING...

Remembering JFK: Where were you when you heard the news?

President John F. Kennedy

50 years ago, America lost a great leader, a man with vision, a man of peace and wisdom. Those who were old enough to remember and understand back then on Friday, Nov. 22, 1963, all have a story about the day President Kennedy was assassinated 50 years ago today.

Most people who are old enough to remember can tell you exactly what they were doing when they heard the news that Kennedy was shot in Dallas, Texas.

To keep history alive, we'd like to hear from those of you can remember. Please feel free to post and share your story.

For those who are too young, but know your parents or someone's story about where they were on the day of Kennedy's assassination, please share.

Transcript of Court Conference on November 18, 2013

THE COURT: We have a couple of items that I was hoping we would talk about today. One is we were going to hear a report on how the funds are doing. Mr. McGuire, we have Ryk Tierney who is here.

MR. McGUIRE: Yes. Mr. Tierney is here and ready to report.

MR. TIERNEY: Thank you. My name is Ryk Tierney. I am the Executive Director of the New York City Carpenters Benefit Funds. For the record, we handle the four major funds for the carpenter benefits, which are the pension fund; the welfare fund, which includes vacation and scholarship benefits; the annuity fund; and then the apprenticeship journeyman retraining, education and industry fund. I will start with the pension fund, an update on total assets as of September 30, 2013.

CONTINUE READING...

More Special Obamacare Treatment — But Not for You

Unions haven’t been able to get special Obamacare subsidies like Members of Congress and their staffs did, but they may not go away empty-handed.

The Obama Administration has indicated it will propose a new regulation that could give many unions a break from one of Obamacare’s new fees. This one hits health plans with a $63 per person charge next year.

But many “self-insured, self-administered” plans would be exempt from this fee in future years, thanks to the new suggested regulation—and that could apply to a lot of union plans.

Labor unions accused Obamacare of“shattering” hard-earned benefits and destroying the foundation of the middle class when they begged earlier this year for special treatment. Instead of advocating relief for all Americans, they merely advocated a carve-out for their members.

Meanwhile, people across the country are seeing their plans canceled or premiums increased. For people shopping in the Obamacare exchanges, premiums are going up in at least 42 states.

Source: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/11/08/more-special-obamacare-treatment-but-not-for-you/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Carpenters union gives $100K, leading a last-minute push for de Blasio

BY GLORIA PAZMINO

Bill de Blasio's massive lead in the mayor's race hasn't discouraged some last-minute contributions to his campaign.

Late last week, the NYC United Brotherhood of Carpenters poured $100,000 into the race, by way of a pro-de Blasio super PAC.

The union gave the donation to the New York Progress PAC on November 1, according to a recent filing with the New York State Board of Elections. (In the closing weeks of the race, political campaigns and committees must report all contributions of $1,000 or more within 24 hours.)

The New York Progress PAC is a coalition of some of the city's most powerful public and private labor unions, including the United Federation of Teachers and the Communication Workers of America, who pooled their resources to support de Blasio's campaign.

The PAC raised more than $1 million back in October to spend on broadcast cable TV ads attacking de Blasio's opponent, Republican nominee Joe Lhota.

In October, the group reported $25,000 from the Plumbing Contractors Political Action Commitee.

According to Josh Gold, political director for the Hotel Trades Council, which has also contributed money to the PAC, the late contributions added a final buy of programming.

“We knew [the spots] would reach the last remaining undecided voters,” said Gold in an e-mail.

The ad, which had already been airing for a week, played during college football matchup on ABC, Sunday Night Football on NBC, the Nets game against the Miami Heat, and coverage of the ING NYC Marathon.

De Blasio's campaign committee, New Yorkers for de Blasio, also received some last-minute contributions, from Napster creator and early Facebook founder Sean Parker; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Unite Here Local 2850 and Unite Here Local 52, all of which gave $4,950 over the weekend.

EST October Town Hall

EST Oct. Townhall P1 from NYCDCC on Vimeo.

EST Oct. Townhall P2 from NYCDCC on Vimeo.

Delegate Election Protest Reponse Letter

This memorandum will document the circumstances of William Walsh being deemed not eligible to serve as Delegate to the New York City District Council of Carpenters (“NYCDCC”) on October 9th, 2013 (See McCarron letter Below). The paradigms of this memorandum will elucidate how the Stipulation and Order and Consent Decree are being provoked and anticipate the United States District Court’s assessment on why Mr. Walsh’s eligibility results are disregarded by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (“UBC”) General President Douglas J. McCarron.

Mr. Walsh’s was regarded not eligible for the position of Delegate to the NYCDCC by the UBC General President in Section 31D of the UBC Constitution. The election protest was received by the UBC on July 15th, 2013, initiated by Mr. Joseph Nina, Local 157 member and NYCDCC Trustee, who was not re-elected to serve as a delegate at the June 19th, 2013 election. Mr. Nina proceeded to file the grievance on Mr. Walsh’s disability eligibility, not the nomination, election protest or an election procedure. It is clear in Section 53G of the UBC Constitution that “any grievance may be appealed to the General President thirty (30) days from the date the grievance occurred.”

CONTINUE READING...

Technology Committee Announcement

With the unanimous recommendation of the Executive Committee and the approval of the Delegate Body, the District Council will be issuing an RFP (Request for Proposal) to hire an consultant to aid the Technology Committee in determining the IT structure best suited to achieve an integrated system that supports the Union’s work. The establishment of the Technology Committee was unanimously voted in favor by the Executive Committee, and the Technology Members were appointed by EST Pro Tem McInnis.

Among the important goals of the Committee’s work is to develop an integrated computer hardware and software system by which the Shop Stewards, Reps, the Out of Work List, the Organizing Department, and all other departments within the District Council can effectively and efficiently share information about jobs, hours, grievances, organizing, and the honest building and running of the Union free from corruption. Another goal is to develop the means by which the District Council’s information on members’ jobs and hours will be coordinated with the Benefit Funds.

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Former Council Leader Sues Carpenters, Claims Supervision of SWRCC Is Illegal

Dismissed by Mike McCarrom

(Correction, I had posted that "Two weeks ago a federal district court judge denied Mike McCarrons' complaint".

That was incorrect, this case/complaint (McCarron v. Carpenters, C.D. Cal., 8:13-cv-01559-JVS-AN, complaint H/ed 10/4/ 13) was NOT denied. The request for an Emergency Temporary Restrating Order was denied without any statement of reasons or determination of merit. 

This case was scheduled to begin, however for reasons of which Mike McCarron has not explained this case was withdrawn by the Plaintiff on Oct 17, 2013. No reasons why ("This action is dismissed by the Plaintiff(s) in its entirety").

By Jewel Edwards

Oct. 1O-Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters’ former executive secretary- treasurer Michael McCarron, who was removed from his elected offices in July, filed a lawsuit on Oct. 4 against the Carpenters and Joiners of America and his brother, Carpenters General President Douglas McCarron, alleging that Douglas ejected Michael from his position in the union through an illegally imposed trusteeship (McCarron v. Carpenters, C.D. Cal., 8:13-cv-01559-JVS-AN, complaint H/ed 10/4/ 13).

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that Douglas McCarron violated Section 302 of the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act when he breached the union’s constitutional rules for implementing a trusteeship on a council or local branch of the union.

LMRDA Section 302 states that labor organizations must abide by their union constitutions and bylaws when establishing a trusteeship over a subordinate body of the organization.

According to the complaint, Douglas McCarron illegally delegated his authority to place the SWRCC under emergency supervision to Carpenters union Vice President Douglas Banes without holding a hearing to determine whether the emergency supervision was necessary (59 CLR 713, 8/1/13).

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INDIA GRIFFIN SPEAKS TO MEMBERS AT LOCAL 409

India Griffin and other Mike McCarron supporters were present. India made a statement against the supervision of the SWRCC. After she finished, Mike Draper demanded that she answer some questions from him. Draper was belligerent towards India and was yelling at her. She attempted to answer his questions, but when he would not stop yelling she walked out. Draper continued to yell at her and then demanded that her statement be stricken from the record. Yet another instance of the UBC silencing members and keeping the truth from being heard.

To learn more visit Stand With Mike McCarron.

Federal judge denies Mike McCarrons Temporary Restraining Order

Last week a federal district court judge denied Mike McCarrons' request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).

Mike posted this on his website—"The denial was issued without decision and not based on the merits of the case. This was an expected result. Under federal law trusteeships are presumed valid, even when they are not and are very hard to attack. Nonetheless, I felt I had to take a shot and to get my side of the story out through court declarations. Over 14,000 people have seen my declarations. This is just one battle in a war that is far from over. I thank you for your support and well wishes."

Sincerely,
Mike McCarron

Carpenters’ Local 157 online scholarship application is up and running

We are happy to report that the Carpenters’ Local 157 online scholarship application is up and running. Please follow this link to apply: https://aim.applyists.net/Local157

The Local 157 Scholarship Program was designed to assist eligible high school seniors in meeting college expenses. The program is open to all college bound children of Local 157 members who are in good standing. With many of our children aspiring to a college degree, parents are hard pressed to secure adequate funding for their children to attend the college or university of their choice. This program provides us with another way to express our continuing support to the members of Local 157 and their families, as well as making a contribution to society by providing the benefits of a college education to deserving young people.

Four scholarships will be awarded annually under this program for the academic year that begins with the fall semester. Applications for these scholarships must be submitted by the date stated on the application.

HOW TO APPLY: To be considered for a Carpenters' Local 157 Scholarship, the applicant must:

• Fill out an online application form by clicking here and following the directions.
• Only candidates who have submitted scholarship applications will be considered for the Carpenters Local 157 Scholarship.

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Brother Billy Glynn Runs NYC Marathon to Raise Money for Sick Children

LU 157 member Billy Glynn is raising funds in support of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp by running in the ING NYC Marathon on November 3, 2013 as part of Team Hole in the Wall.

To date, more than 20,000 children with serious illnesses have attended The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp free of charge. Camp is a place where the children, first and foremost, can simply be kids. Certainly, their medical treatments continue while they are at Camp, but those treatments are as unobtrusive as possible. These kids are at Camp to play.

Please consider supporting Billy as he tries to raise funds to send a child to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause by making your tax-deductible donation online. If you prefer, you can mail your check, payable to "Team Hole in the Wall", directly (see flier right).

Whatever you can give will help - it all adds up!

Follow this Link to visit Billy's personal web page and help him in his efforts to support Team Hole in the Wall

MCCARRON BROTHERS BATTLE OVER THE FUTURE OF THE CARPENTERS UNION

Mike McCarron of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters Files Suit Attacking the Improper Trusteeship Imposed on the Council by his brother and General President Doug McCarron. 

On Friday, October 4, 2013, Mike McCarron and two other members of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters (SWRCC) filed suit, in Federal Court in the Central District of California [Case no. SACV13‐1559 JVS ANX; 8‐13CV1559 JVS ANX] against the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) seeking to overturn a trusteeship imposed upon the SWRCC and Carpenters Local 1506. The suit also names as defendants, Mike’s brother Doug McCarron, the UBC’s General President and the mastermind of the scheme, Douglas Banes, the UBC’s General Vice President who imposed the trusteeship to provide Doug McCarron with cover, and Michael Draper, a UBC District Vice President who has been appointed as Trustee of the SWRCC. Today, Mike McCarron and the two other members filed an ex parte application for a Temporary Restraining Order and a Preliminary Injunction dissolving the trusteeship and staying any further trusteeship proceeding.

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MIKE MCCARRON SEEKS TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST UBC TO DISSOLVE THE TRUSTEESHIP OF THE SWRCC

Big News! Please read the TRO Application and more importantly the Supporting Declarations by Mike McCarron, Michael Olds, Lindsey Maldoon and Kathy McCarron, which explain the situation in its entirety.

For more information on the supporting Declarations click here.  

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Commentary on the McCarron Video

By Richard Dorrough

When I first saw this video I tried to decide which part was of the most value and importance to the rank and file of the UBC and labor as a whole to view.

Was it Doug McCarron admitting he is collecting his Southwest Pension which it appears according to the Plan Summary he is doing so illegally. Southwest Plan Rule "you cannot work in any employment or activity in the building and construction industry anywhere."

Prohibited work includes,but is not limited to the following "Supervisory and labor relations work in the industry."

Was it the Chairman of the Southwest Pension Douglas McCarron lying with his "retiree working in Alabama story" which was pure BS and a lie according to the Plan Summary. "Southwest Plan Rule""you cannot work in any employment or activity in the building and construction industry anywhere."

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Update From Mike McCarron

Mike McCarron

The internal UBC 14(D) charges filed against Mike McCarron and the Emergency Supervision of the Southwest Regional Council are the direct result of a personal vendetta by General President Doug McCarron against his brother Mike.


Mike and Doug's relationship has been strained since December of 2011 and came to a breaking point after their mother passed away on May 21, 2013.  The 14(D) charges were filed against Mike by Doug because he did not have control over his brother Mike and their mother's estate.  Doug wants to take Mike's union membership away through the 14(D) charges to ensure his re-election as general president in 2015.   When it became apparent to Doug that Mike intended to fight the charges and discuss their personal history at the July 25, 2013 Delegates Meeting, Doug had the SWRCC placed under Emergency Supervision.  The reason was to silence Mike and prevent the true story from coming out.

On October 1, 2013, Mike McCarron posted this message on his website.

Important Update To All My Supporters— I was just informed that I was found guilty on all charges by the UBC Kangaroo Court.

At trial, I introduced 630 pages of documents and had nine witnesses testify on my behalf. In spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary of the charges, Frank Spencer, Jim Smith and Dave Tharpe did what they were told by my loving brother, dictator Doug. Shame on all of you! Shame also on Mike Draper, Justin (the minister) Weidner, and Doug’s director of real estate, Randy Sowell.

I would also like to thank the behind the scenes henchmen for the three documented instances of witness tampering and intimidation, as well as the introduction of falsified documents.

********************************

Democracy in this Brotherhood is Dead!—Don't miss this exchange between Mike and Doug on the floor of Local 1506 on 9.20.2013 fast forward video to 41 minutes into the meeting.

 To learn more visit Stand With Mike McCarron.

The Cement League Strike Is Over!

I would like to sincerely thank the Executive Committee for their hard work during this long and arduous negotiation with The Cement League. We are currently in the process of drafting a Memorandum of Agreement to be signed today, which will be presented to the Executive Committee Monday October 7, and to the Delegates Wednesday October 9 for approval.

The support of the members has been overwhelming and much appreciated.

More details will follow as they become available.

Fraternally,
Stephen McInnis
Executive Secretary Treasurer Pro Tem

Court Transcript of 9/30/2013

On September 16, 2013 Review Officer Dennis Walsh petitioned the Court requiring the District Council to "Implement Updated Business and IT Operations Plan." The upgrade was previously rejected by the Executive Committee and Delegate Body.

Judge Richard Berman scheduled a hearing for September 30, 2013 at 11 a.m. on the RO's petition to enforce his recommendations regarding upgrading the DC’s IT platform and business practices.

Below is the Court Transcript of that hearing.

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Carpenters declare strike against Cement League

The New York City District Council of Carpenters went on strike yesterday Wednesday against The Cement League, a building trades employers association.

The two sides have been bargaining for 30 months, but have been unable to come to an agreement, according to the union. "The Cement League is demanding 20% wage reductions in all outer borough construction jobs," while workers have not seen a raise in four years, Stephen McInnis, executive secretary treasurer of the Council, said in a statement.

The Cement League employs more than 500 carpenter members of the union, which represents more than 25,000 skilled carpenters, millwrights, dock builders, cabinetmakers, timbermen and floor coverers, said the Council.

The Cement League did not respond to a request for comment.

Who are the The Cement League

Carpenters across New York City are fighting back against a little known but powerful group of concrete contractors known as The Cement League. The Cement League of New York dominates the Concrete Industry in New York City. Their ambiguous website shares little information about who they are or what they do.

The Carpenters working on New York’s hi-rise hotels and apartment buildings have sacrificed, year after year, in all weather, working without a raise since June of 2010 while real estate prices have skyrocketed.

Each week we read another article of record setting prices for apartments and penthouses while The Cement League seeks to drive down wages and benefits for Carpenters building wealth. The New York Real Estate Industry and its dubious partners in The Cement League have taken greed to a new level. The Cement League and its member contractors are determined to wipe out middle class New Yorkers.

While all other Contractor Associations in New York City’s vast Construction Industry have negotiated fair contracts for their workforce, one organization, The Cement League has moved to betray & undermine their employees  in a greedy stab for more money.

New York City: Carpenters Strike at World Trade Center

NEW YORK—Carpenters lined up around the World Trade Center construction site at 7 a.m. on Oct. 2 to support colleagues that could be facing a pay cut who work on the underground transportation hub.

Negotiations between the Cement League and transportation hub workers broke down yesterday, but another meeting is scheduled for today at 2:30 p.m.

Jeremy Milin, a business agent for New York City District Council of Carpenters, said the carpenters have worked for the last two years without a new contract.

“They [The Cement League] want workers to take a 20 percent pay cut,” Milin said.

John Brunetti from the Cement League said the breakdown in negotiations Tuesday was over a 20 percent reduction in wages for carpenters in the outer boroughs, and not the workers at the transportation hub at the World Trade Center site.

According to Milin, the Vehicular Security Center parking garage across the street was paying their carpenters the normal rate.

“The company has no problem paying our guys what they are worth,” Milin said.

Only at the transportation hub were there problems, according to the workers.

The workers could be back at work tomorrow if negotiations today are successful.

About 200 workers lined up in three locations around the World Trade Center at 9 a.m. Most of them do not work on the transportation hub, but wanted to show their support for their colleagues.

John Arcese, who works on the Cortlandt Street subway station, and is a member of Local 157, said he wanted to support his brothers.

“We want the prevailing wages, because they are gypping them out of wages,” Arcese said.

Cement League Strike Update

At this time The District Council and the Cement League have failed to reach an agreement. The District Council in accordance with the strike vote authorized by the Delegate Body is on strike against Cement League contractors on non-PLA jobs. The position and past practice of the New York City Building and Construction Trades Council is that other trades will NOT honor economic picket lines of another Trade. In the unlikely scenario that contractors attempt to replace union trades people with non-union workers this position will be revisited.

This is especially important on Project Labor Agreements or PLA jobs. While we recognize individual member’s rights in regards to picket lines, the District Council is contractually bound by a “no-strike” provision on these projects. If the District Council was found to be in violation of this provision we would be subject to potentially catastrophic damages in court or through arbitration. Therefore, while we recognize individual members have a right not to cross a picket line the District Council is legally obligated to keep these jobs running without interruption.

It is our intention to conclude our negotiations as quickly as possible. Please refer to our website nycdistrictcouncil.com for continuing updates and a list of PLA jobs with “no strike” provisions.

Notice of New Meeting location for all Local 157 members

Local 157 “On the Rise”

Please come down and participate at your monthly Local 157 Meeting.

There have been many positive changes going on with Local 157 and the new leadership is firmly committed to continue to rebuild the solidarity.

With the innovative addition of the Local 157 pre-meeting gatherings, one has the opportunity to connect with your elected delegates about your concerns and hold your representative accountable for their input, on your behalf. Please come down and be a part of the proven resurgence into your local! Reunite with friends, receive “sound” information and help to protect your future!

Meetings are held at the Church of St. Anthony of Padua 154 Sullivan Street N.Y.C. Our next three meetings will held on October 16th, November 20th and December 18th. Delegate Committee Forum @ 4:00 pm, Local Meeting starts at 4:30 pm.

There are Beverages, Food, Tee Shirts, Gift Card Raffles, 157 Stickers and Union Camaraderie. We are planning to have De Walt, Milwaukee, Hilti and other tool companies with their new tools at our up-coming meetings.

Local 157 Fishing Trip

When: October 19th, 2013, Set Sail at 7:00 am till 3:00 pm
Cost: Approximately $60.00 w/Bait & Pole Included.

Welcome aboard the Brooklyn VI All friends, kids and spouses are welcome to join in on a day of good times and camaraderie on the open seas!! The Brooklyn VI is a modern super-fast 110' long 26' wide super cruiser. Be a part of Local 157’s first annual fishing trip! Bring food and beverages (suggested) or purchase on board.

Contact: Jimmy Hogan @ 718-916-5858 Bill Walsh 646-247-4380

EST Pro Tem September TownHall

Findings by The Review Officer Regarding Required Approval of Candidates for EST

Pursuant to Paragraph 5.k.iv of the Stipulation and Order entered in this matter on June 3, 2010, any candidate seeking to run for a position as an officer of the District Council during the Review Officer’s tenure must first be approved by the Review Officer, who will determine whether in light of the terms and objectives of the Consent Decree the candidate is qualified to run for office and represent the union membership.

By Order entered August 15, 2013, the District Court approved implementation of modified election rules (“the rules”) to be applied by this office in a special election for the term of the District Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer (“EST”) expiring on January ll, 2015.

Five members, Gregory Kelty, Stephen McInnis, Pat Nee, James Noonan, and Salvatore Tagliaferro, submitted petitions pursuant to the rules. Each met the threshold requirement of submitting petitions with the signatures of at least 150 members in good standing. Mr. Tagliaferro confirmed the withdrawal of his candidacy via email on September 21, 2013. I (and two staff investigators, Jack Mitchell and Bill O’Flahelty) formally interviewed the other four members.

I found all of the members in question to be members in good standing eligible to run for office pursuant to Section 3 1 .D of the Constitution of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. After completing the vetting and interview process contemplated by the rules, the candidacy of Gregory Kelty is approved. The candidacies of Messrs. Mclrmis, Nee and Noonan are not.

Mindful of the Court’s Decision and Order filed in this matter on October 26, 20ll, which serves as the law of the case in this regard, I record the following observations to document the record in this matter.

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RO's Petition to Judge Berman to Enforce Recommendations

On September 16, 2013 Review Officer Dennis Walsh petitioned the Court requiring the District Council to "Implement Updated Business and IT Operations Plan." The upgrade was previously rejected by the Executive Committee and Delegate Body.

Judge Richard Berman has scheduled a hearing for September 30, 2013 at 11 a.m. on the RO's petition to enforce his recommendations regarding upgrading the DC’s IT platform and business practices.

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MICHELLE McCARRON PREVENTED FROM JOINING THE CARPENTERS UNION FOR A SECOND TIME

A messy public feud between carpenters' union General President Douglas J. McCarron and his brother, Southwest regional council chief Mike McCarron, that resulted in an executive management shake-up and finger-pointing charges with legal implications, has rocked the 500,000-member union and related building trades.

The carpenters' union placed the Los Angeles-based council, which includes six states and 31 locals, under emergency supervision amid non-specific charges of financial irregularities, malpractice, intimidation and wrongful conduct noted in a July 19 letter to Mike McCarron. The international removed the younger brother as executive secretary-treasurer.

Michael V. Draper, the national union's western district vice president, was named acting council supervisor pending an internal union trial, set to start on Sept. 9 at the union's Las Vegas training center. Eastern District Vice President Frank G. Spencer will hear the charges.

Michelle McCarron who is an attorney and daughter of Mike McCarron, attempted to join the Carpenters Union for the second time on September 4, to help her father, but was prevented by two staffers from the International.

Why are the men on the 9th and 10th floors of the Carpetner’s Freemont Street building so afraid of having Michelle join?

To learn more visit Stand With Mike McCarron.

McCarron Brothers Are at Center of Carpenters' Union Leadership Fight

By Tony Illia

A messy public feud between carpenters' union General President Douglas J. McCarron and his brother, Southwest regional council chief Mike McCarron, that resulted in an executive management shake-up and finger-pointing charges with legal implications, has rocked the 500,000-member union and related building trades.

The carpenters' union placed the Los Angeles-based council, which includes six states and 31 locals, under emergency supervision amid non-specific charges of financial irregularities, malpractice, intimidation and wrongful conduct noted in a July 19 letter to Mike McCarron, which ENR obtained.The international removed the younger brother as executive secretary-treasurer.

Michael V. Draper, the national union's western district vice president, was named acting council supervisor pending an internal union trial, set to start on Sept. 9 at the union's Las Vegas training center. Eastern District Vice President Frank G. Spencer will hear the charges.

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Midday Rally at Pace

Their is a midday Rally tomorrow at 33 Beekman street, the site of a new 34 story Pace University Dormitory Tower.

Picket Duty Credit will be granted for this Rally. Contact Ruben Colon: Representative NYCDC Area Standards Dept. Rcolon@nycdistrictcouncil.org - Cell # ( 917 ) 376 - 5537

The Carpenters Union Lottery Offers a Shot at the Middle Class

By Tessa Stuart

At the corner of Houston and Hudson, six blocks from the Soho bakery where ladies in expensive sandals queued up before the crack of dawnall summer to taste the Cronut, a different kind of line was forming. At first it was just a couple of burly men planted in lawn chairs outside the New York City District Council of Carpenters. A week later more than 1,000 others—security guards, welders, construction workers, and baby-faced kids fresh out of high school—had pitched tents and unfurled sleeping bags next to them. A passerby surveyed the crowd and guessed it was some sort of mixed martial arts ticket giveaway.
It wasn't.

Welcome to post-recession New York, where a middle-class job is a lottery prize and folks will camp out on the street just for a chance to play.

The carpenters union apprenticeship lottery only comes around once every few years. Anyone can submit his or her name. You just have to show up, fill out a card, and drop it in a box.

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A Labor Day Message

Life of Peter McGuire, 'Father' Of Labor Day

Labor Day is different from the other holidays of the year. Most holidays are to some degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation or another.

Labor Day is a time to honor the strength, commitment, and dedication of the millions of hardworking men and women who fuel America’s labor force. Our union’s founder, Peter J. McGuire, established this day in 1882 to shine a light on the critical role American workers play in creating and sustaining the wealth and prosperity of their country.

Peter J. McGuire, a young carpenter, stood before the New York Central Labor Union on May 12, 1882, to suggest an idea of setting aside one day a year to honor labor. His idea was simple. The day should "be celebrated by a street parade which would publicly show the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations."

The trade unionists, enthusiastic about the idea, quickly established a committee to plan the event. The committee chose the first Monday in September because, "it would come at the most pleasant season of the year, nearly midway between the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving and would fill a wide gap in the chronology of legal holidays."

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New District Council of New York and Vicinity Trial Procedures

The parties will be known as the Charging Party and the Respondent. The Trial Chairs will be known as Trial Chairs (TC). The role of the TCs will be independent: administratively comparable to hearing officers or administrative trial judges, subject to appeal pursuant to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Constitution (“UBC Constitution”).

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Special Election Notice for Executive Secretary-Treasurer

Updated

Pursuant to the Bylaws of the New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters (the “District Council Bylaws”), Paragraph 5.k of the Stipulation and Order entered on June 3, 2010, in United States v. District Council, et al., 90 Civ. 5722 (SDNY) (RMB) (the “Stipulation and Order”) and the Order of the District Court issued on August 15, 2013, authorizing modified election rules, please be advised that the Review Officer (“RO”) will conduct a special election for the balance of the term of the office of District Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer (“EST”) which expires on January 11, 2015, as follows:

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Hundreds Camp Outside Carpenters Union Hoping to Land Apprenticeship

NYC Carpenters Union Handing Out Hundreds Of Applications To Job Hopefuls

NEW YORK (CBS NewYork) –The wait is over for hundreds of carpenters who have been camped out for days in hopes of scoring a coveted apprenticeship with New York City’s carpenters union.

Monday morning, the District Council of Carpenters Union began handing out 750 applications. With that comes the chance for union card and the promise of better benefits and a heftier paycheck.

Nicholas Foreman was the first person in line.

“The pot of gold at the end of that rainbow is getting that interview,” he said.

Foreman has been camping on the sidewalk since last Monday through rainy days and chilly nights with no bed, no shower and no electricity.

“A lot of people are going to come for it because this is a very good job,” he said.

The union holds this application process once every two years. Of the applications that will be given out, 500 will be for carpenters. The remaining 250 will be for dock builders and floor installers.

Those who get jobs will earn $20 an hour to start with the possibility of earning as much as $99 an hour down the line.

But the competition is fierce. The line stretched two full city blocks with the hundreds hoping for their chance at a break.

Margaret Power works at the top of One World Trade Center.

“My son is waiting to get in,” she told WCBS 880′s Alex Silverman early Monday morning. “He’ll be a fourth-generation carpenter.”

“The things that they have coming up in the next few, a lot of money to be made,” one man told Silverman.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Bodhi O’Neil from Copaigue.

But getting in the door doesn’t guarantee a job. It only guarantees a spot in the lottery. Union officials said they pull names of individuals from a locked lottery box as the industry needs more apprentices.

“We run a state approved lottery and all of these individuals will put their names in a locked box with their names and addresses. As the industry needs more apprentices we pull from that box in a lottery it’s a blind pull,” NYC District Council of Carpenters Director Elly Spicer told CBS 2′s Kathryn Brown.

Those who have been waiting for days say it’s a chance worth taking.

“I’ve never slept on the streets of New York City, I thought it was beneath me. Well, irony is that I’m willing to do it just for the opportunity of possibly getting a job that can change my life,” Bernard James told Silverman. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

Union leaders said they typically pull names from the locked lottery box once every two months.

UBC Trying to put Local 1506 into Emergency Supervision to Silence Mike McCarron

On Friday August 16, 2013, at 7:30 pm Mike McCarron was at Local 1506, located at 5164 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles. Mike McCarron is the president of Local 1506 and is a delegate to the Southwest Regional Council. Mike will be discussing the charges, the emergency supervision of the SWRCC, and the personal history between him and big brother Doug that has lead up to the false charges and improper emergency supervision

By Richard Dorrough

The UBC International at its dirty nasty best...Watch UBC Democracy at work.

Last night the UBC International dirt bags showed up at a Local meeting with security guards to shut down a meeting that Mike McCarron was to explain the seizure of the Southwest Council and Doug McCarrons charges against him. Regardless of whats true between the two McCarrons pay attention to what happens as the UBC stops democracy with threats and intimidation yet again. Watch as not a single officer of the local give a report. Watch as the meeting is adjourned after 15 minutes. Pay attention as to WHO it was announced attended the Southwest Council Executive Board in part 1 of this meeting video.



What a blast the DOL will have with that video when yet again the UBC losses another court appearance

Watch as the Big Brother Doug and his cronies Mike Draper accuse Mike McCarron to be mentally unstable and to have premeditated plans of violence as an excuse to show up at a Local Union meeting with 15 Council Security Guards.

Remember Doug McCarron last words "Local, intermediate and international unions are legally separate entities and liability for a local unions actions does not attach itself to the International” and the kicker “Unions generally adopt a three-tier structure: the international union, various intermediate bodies and local Unions. Though they are affiliated by a constitution these organizations are SUCH SEPARATE ENTITIES that they can and do sue each other and THEIR AGENTS HAVE NO LEGAL BINDING AUTHORITY OUTSIDE THEIR OWN UNION ENTITY.

Watch as a duly elected Offcier is brought to tears as he is forced to do the International dirty Buisness. We have rights violations notices posted on the NYCDC web site.You have rights violations notices posted on the North East Council web site and here we have a video of the UBC at its abusive,intimidating, harassing best.







For more information visit Mike McCarron's website "Stand With Mike."

Would-Be Workers Set For Days Camping Out For Carpenters’ Training Program

Job seekers camp out for a training program at the Carpenters’ Union

Eyewitness News

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Hundreds of people camped out in the SoHo section of Manhattan early Sunday, hoping to apply for a position with the carpenters' union. 

It's all for a chance to join the coveted training and apprenticeship program with the New York City District Council of Carpenters union.

About 750 applications will be distributed starting at 9 a.m. Monday.

The union holds this open application process only once every two years.

Applicants have been arriving from throughout the tri-state area and from as far away as Pennsylvania, waiting outside the headquarters of the carpenters union in the West Village.

Some arrived as early as Monday, and they have continued to line up throughout the week.

"It's tough, no showers, you're sitting here all day, walking around." said the first person on line. "But you know what, the end result is the pot of gold, which is to get my name on that ticket so I can get called for an interview, and to really show the dedication, because I've been here all week."

They're hoping for a career: a steady job with good pay and good benefits.

Of the 750 applications available, there are 500 for carpenters, 150 for dock builders and 100 for floor coverers.

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Delegate Body Ratifies New Floor Coverers Contract

The Delegate Body ratified a new 4-year Floor Coverers contract this week.

Please see attached agreement and side letter

Floor Coverers Agreement
Side Letter
Roll Call Vote

Carpenters Receive Wage & Benefit Increase

The New York City District Council of Carpenters’ Delegate Body on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 ratified by a roll call vote a $2.40 per hour contract wage and benefit increase to begin August 20, 2013 for the members working under the following collective bargaining agreements.

Building Contractors Association (BCA), Independent Building and Construction Agreement, and  The Association of Wall-Ceiling and Carpentry Industries (WC&C).

Carpenters working under these agreements accounted for approximately 10 Million Hours of work within the past 12 months.

The $2.40 per hour wage and benefit allocations are as follows:

• $0.80 Increase to Hourly Wages
• $0.80 Increase to Welfare Fund
• $0.80 Increase to Annuity

A vote to amend the original motion of allocations and increase hourly wages by $0.80 and increase the Annuity by $1.60 failed by a vote of 52 to 32.

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Foes of Brooklyn's City Point get a court date

A rendering of the proposed City Point development in downtown Brooklyn. Photo credit: Rendering courtesy of Cook Fox Architects

By Matt Chaban

Labor unions fighting a legal challenge against a towering downtown Brooklyn development will get their day in court after all. Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Cynthia Kerns has set a Sept. 24 hearing for the case, which the city is fighting to dismiss, saying the unions have no grounds to bring the suit.

The unions argue that the massive City Point project along Flatbush Avenue, on the site of the former Albee Square Mall in the Fulton Square Mall in downtown Brooklyn, fails to provide promised wages for construction workers and quality permanent employment. Such jobs were laid out in the 2004 environmental review of the project, but the legal team argues they are unfulfilled, and that because of that the project's environmental review should be invalidated.

A union win could halt the project, which is already under construction.

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Important Notice: Local 157 Meeting Change

Attention Members: The August 21st monthly Local 157 meeting will be held at the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, 154 Sullivan Street at 4pm.

Little Brother Mike Fights Back

Mike McCarron

Mike McCarron launches website "Stand With Mike" to respond and fight the charges filed against him by his brother, UBC General President Douglas McCarron.

GP McCarron placed the union’s southwest regional council under emergency supervision after allegedly finding that little brother Mike (the council’s executive secretary-‐treasurer) "had been intimidating workers and other individuals and failing to adhere to collective bargaining agreements and UBC rules."

In a July 19 letter, UBC General Vice President Douglas Banes gave Mike Draper, vice president of the Western District affiliated with the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, authority to manage the council in light of reports that regional council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mike McCarron ran the organization in “a manner detrimental to the welfare and best interest of the Regional council.”

Banes’s letter states that there were reported financial irregularities and malpractice as well as a failure “to assure the performance of collective bargaining agreements.”

According to the letter, Banes also obtained information showing that McCarron intentionally intimidated individuals, ran the regional council undemocratically, and withheld information from other council leaders.

In addition, Banes learned that McCarron was improperly spending the council’s assets and interfering with the operations of other organizations. Banes also stated in the letter that McCarron’s behavior is “erratic and unstable,” leading him to conclude that the executive secretary-treasurer is “unable to properly and lawfully perform your duties.”

Mike McCarron, who is the brother of UBC General President Douglas McCarron, has served as executive secretary-treasurer of the regional council for more than 10 years, and has launched a website in response to the charges.

Mike wrote, "As you may have heard, the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters was placed under supervision by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, on July 22, 2013."

"I am in shock over this and other actions that the General President has taken against me and the Regional Council. These actions have nothing to do with the Brotherhood or the Council. The unfortunate truth behind these actions is a dispute between brothers that has bled into the Brotherhood."

"I hope you will stand with me during these difficult times. I am sincerely grateful for your trust and support."