Update: Wall & Ceiling Contract Vote

On April 11, 2013, federal Judge Richard M. Berman issued an order directing the New York City District Council of Carpenters to ratify the "completed" Wall & Ceiling agreement before he will consider a change (full mobility) to the hiring ratios (67% - 33%) mandated in a May 2009 federal court order.

Delegates to the council are expected to vote on the "completed" agreement at the next delegate body meeting on April 25th at 5:00 p.m.

On April 13, a member who identified himself as Ross posted an excellent comment regarding the upcoming contract vote (see below). 

In an email exchange I had with Review Officer (RO) Dennis Walsh discussing the vote and Ross's comment, the RO stated the following:

"I actually suggested to a couple of members who contacted me that a roll call vote be demanded. Accountability on this is a no brainier. The very least we can expect from the delegates is that they respect their constituents and behave honorably and take responsibility for their votes. Members should ring the phones of the delegates off the hooks over the next 12 days."

"I can certainly recommend that a roll call vote be taken. If the delegates decline to do so, I believe that I have the authority to hold the vote in abeyance pending a motion to Judge Berman to require a roll call vote."

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Ross has left a new comment on your post "A Message from Review Officer Dennis Walsh"

The Delegate Body will be asked to vote on the finished Wall and Ceiling Contract on April 25th, 2013. As the Review Officer, do you have the authority to make that vote a fully documented Roll-Call Vote so that every union member will know exactly how each elected delegate voted on this extremely important contract?

I feel that the delegates must really own their votes on this one. I fear that if its simply left to the normal process of someone motioning for a roll-call vote on the floor, the motion may not be approved. This in turn will cement the growing disgust and disrespect with the whole process among the rank and file.

If we are to ever outgrow the consent decree and the need for an RO through a vital, robust and well respected and well functioning democratic process, then I feel that the delegates need to know right away that they cannot hide on this vote. They need to be encouraged to get their members' input and they need to know that this vote will be forever available for all to see.

A vibrant and transparent process is necessary to restore respect for the governing structure of our union. As the RO, will you enforce a completely documented, Roll-Call vote? Thanks.

(John's note: Also see discussion in forum on this topic).