Review Officer's Fees to Date

Review Officer (RO) Dennis Walsh, has provided to the membership all invoices pertaining to the RO's office starting in June 2010.

Paragraph 8.b of the Stipulation and Order estimates the usual range of expenses at between $65,000 to $85,000 per month.

Please click the links below to view statements from the RO from June 2010 to the present and shared with all members per the direction of the RO.

CONTINUE READING...

VOTE Joseph Passero for President Local Union 1556

Brothers and Sisters of Local Union 1556,

Our Local Union is at a crossroads. Ballots were sent out that did not directly address the Timbermen, Hod Hoists Carpenters, and Core Drillers. This clearly comprises our Local’s Membership as it could appear as a slight at best or an insult at worse, offending those Members not addressed directly in the first ballot.

This has necessitated another ballot mailing at an additional expense of $7,400.00. This is wasteful and underscores the lack of forethought and appropriate attention to detail in consideration of the ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP.

Once again, in the light of yet another poor performance by the present administration continuing the patterns of the past. Ask Yourself: “Should this election be Business and Usual or be the opportunity for a New Direction?”

Brothers and Sisters of Local Union 1556 this is Your ballot, Your choice, Your vote! You will decide! 2,496 Members of our Local must make a choice. You have the power to chart and create change in Local Union 1556's Future.

Transparency breeds Accountability which leads to a higher level of participation of our hard working Brothers and Sisters encouraged by such a demonstration of concern for properly informing Individual Members.

I am Joseph Passero, I ask for Your Support and Vote to bring Local Union 1556 back to the members’ control. In this, you can hold me responsible for achieving transparency of action, a cessation of wasteful spending and cronyism, and a new direction of overall integrity of our union; not “Business as Usual.”

Click here for link to my first letter published, June 11, 2012.

I will be steady, accountable, honest, and transparent. You have my word.

You can contact me about issues or concerns with our Local or the NYCDCC, my email address is thedockbuilder@gmail.com my phone number is 646-456-6966.

I Thank You.

Fraternally
Joseph Passero
Local Union 1556 UBC Certified Steward

Setback for mayor on prevailing-wage order

A judge on Thursday blocked a move by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to prevent the city comptroller from setting wages for about 10,000 city employees.

By Daniel Massey

A Manhattan judge Thursday blocked a move by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to prevent the city comptroller from setting wages for about 10,000 city employees.

Mr. Bloomberg had issued an executive order in April to end a 118-year-old rule that empowers the comptroller to set prevailing wages for about 3% of the city's workforce. The mayor wants plumbers, carpenters and other trade workers to work out their salaries via collective bargaining without any input from the comptroller.

Explaining his rationale on his radio program, the mayor had said the age-old practice likely stemmed from "some back-door political thing, done in the dead of night." He said the vast majority of city workers have their wages set through collective bargaining and that his order closes "a loophole." He argued that wages set by the comptroller recently have exceeded those in the private sector.

For most of its workforce, the city can make contract offers and tell unions to go to arbitration if they don't like them. But for the 3% covered by the prevailing wage law, the unions have the leverage of going to the comptroller for a ruling on the prevailing rate.

Unions vigorously opposed the mayor's order. The New York District Council of Carpenters, District Council 37, Plumbers Local 1, Steamfitters Local 638 and Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers were among those who went to court seeking a restraining order, which was granted in May.

CONTINUE READING...

Tensions flare as Con Ed, workers meet

The utility runs newspaper ads that anger the locked-out union, which in turn asks the National Labor Relations Board to rule the lockout illegal.

By Daniel Massey

 Consolidated Edison Inc. and the union representing its 8,500 locked-out workers returned to the bargaining table Thursday afternoon as tensions flared over a full-page ad the utility giant ran in local tabloids.

Also Thursday, the union filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that Con Ed's lockout of the workers—which began Sunday when a dispute over pensions, health care and wages caused contract negotiations to break down—is illegal. A spokesman for the union said the charges were presented to management Thursday morning and filed with the labor board Thursday afternoon.

A labor board spokeswoman confirmed the charges were filed but would not comment further.

A Con Ed spokesman said the union could have avoided the lockout.

"We will take up the matter with the NLRB, but we did what we had to do to continue safely operating the electric, gas and steam systems for 9 million New Yorkers," he said. "The employees' contract had expired, and the union leadership refused to accept our offer of a two-week contract extension."

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Blue Card Update: This Day in History

July 4, 1776: U.S. Declares Independence 

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and its king. The declaration came 442 days after the first volleys of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts and marked an ideological expansion of the conflict that would eventually encourage France's intervention on behalf of the Patriots.

The first major American opposition to British policy came in 1765 after Parliament passed the Stamp Act, a taxation measure to raise revenues for a standing British army in America. Under the banner of "no taxation without representation," colonists convened the Stamp Act Congress in October 1765 to vocalize their opposition to the tax. With its enactment in November, most colonists called for a boycott of British goods, and some organized attacks on the customhouses and homes of tax collectors. After months of protest in the colonies, Parliament voted to repeal the Stamp Act in March 1766.

It is in that spirt, we encourage all union brothers and sisters of the New York City District Council of Carpenters to vocalize their opposition to the $500 "Working dues Assessment" (Blue Card) and call for the repeal of the corrupt Forde era, illegal assessment, enacted (June 22, 2000 for $250, increased on January 25, 2008 to $500) as an extortion upon their wages on a yearly basis, should they legally choose to refrain from the New York City District Council of Carpenters mandatory leaflet, banner or picket duty activities put forth by the Organizing Department .

As Review Officer Dennis Walsh told the Court on November 7, 2011:

"It's been a long-running issue with many of the members. It was a program instituted by the Forde regime which at least in theory sought to compel one to do one's picket duty and that if you did your picket duty, some $500 that was withheld would then be paid to you. There was a demonstration a couple years ago, which was well-attended, which did get out of hand and led to the arrest of one of the members who did jump up on the security desk. He was brought up on charges and, in essence, turned into a poster boy for the authority of the Forde regime. He was convicted, he was heavily fined, and he was expelled from the union. I've always been very sympathetic to Mr. Brennan's plight, and I have told the UBC that I thought it was a situation that they should revisit, perhaps in the general president's office. Mr. Brennan has since filed a lawsuit, which I believe is active here in the Southern District under the LMRDA, and I also let my opinion be known to the UBC that I think that is a lawsuit that should be settled rather than district council moneys being expended going forward. But the program is very controversial. It is very unpopular amongst a significant percentage of the membership."


Have a Happy, Healthy 4th of July.

Fighting For the Soul of the Carpenter's Union

By Shamus Cooke 

All working people should pay attention to the egregious assault on union democracy happening in the Carpenters Union's Pacific North West Regional Council, which covers all the Carpenter's Locals in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, and Montana.

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters has a proud history and should take immediate action to overturn a recent Regional Council decision that disciplined innocent, union-dedicated Carpenters with fines and a loss of membership privileges.

Those punished included twelve Carpenters who had recently won elections to lead their local union - mega-Local 156 of Oregon and South West Washington - as well as many regional delegate seats. The newly elected President and Vice President of Local 156 - as well as the other newly elected officers on the slate - are now facing fines up to $1,500 and six years of stripped membership privileges (the Carpenters interviewed for this article chose to remain anonymous, for fear of further retaliation).

What were the crimes of these long standing union Carpenters? They held a "get out the vote" phone bank. For this they were charged with:

1) causing dissent in the ranks 2) failure to uphold the union oath 3) defrauding the union.

CONTINUE READING...

Contract Negotiations Update

At last nights delegate body meeting EST Mike Bilello said he is continuing contract talks with our contractor associations and both sides have agreed to extend the terms and conditions of our previous contracts until July 31, 2012. The contracts expired June 30, 2011, but an “evergreen clause” keeps them in effect for one year.

Bilello said communication is ongoing and he remains opposed to "full mobility" and will continue negotiating to come up with a contract that works for both sides.

There is no strike or any other job action authorized at this time. In the event that a strike becomes necessary all Local Affiliates, District Representatives, Shop Stewards and Members will be notified. 

On March 27, rank and filers 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 that would to enable contractors to hire 100% of their workers, bypassing the councils out-of-work list, except for shop stewards.

The NYCDCC (Forde & Thomassen) were held in contempt of Court for violations of 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.

Local 157 Officers Vetoed

Yesterday, Review Officer, (RO) Dennis Walsh vetoed Local 157 President Patrick Nee as president and delegate; Peter Corrigan as financial secretary and delegate; Levy Messinetti as recording secretary and delegate; Gauntlett Holness as trustee.

The conduct relates to the move of the local union to the first floor at 395 Hudson; attempts of fiduciaries to get paid for their involvement in the move without disclosure of (1) the job opportunity and (2) planned remuneration of fiduciaries to the membership (violating 29 USC Section 501) and failure to cooperate with the RO (Holness was not cited for failure to cooperate). The amount of time claimed in service on moving day (April 28th) was also found to be inaccurate. See Notice of Veto below.

Nee along with the other officers were elected last June running on the Workers Rights Slate, and sources say Nee will appeal the decision.

According to the UBC Constitution, Vice President Tommy McGonigle will assume the duties of President until an election is scheduled.

With over 10,000 members, Local 157 is the largest of 8 locals in the New York City District Council of Carpenters and the UBC, the local controls virtually all high-rise construction in Manhattan and in the Bronx.

CONTINUE READING...

The Gilbert Agreement and the MWA Arbitration Ruling = Pay-Cuts!

CONFIRMED - PAY-CUTS to ALL Shop and Carpenter Installers!

This just in, members are reporting...THATAll Manufacturing Woodworkers Association (MWA) signatory contractors have cut the benefit rate of shop employees, and outside installers, to $10.94.

Benefit Rate Per Hour.

Companies like, RIMI, Nordic, EMI, Miller-Blaker, Midhattan, Tobin Woodworking, Somerville, among others, have cut the benefit contribution rate for shop workers from the current $18.07 per hour and outside Carpenter installers, from the current $38.88 per hour to $10.94 per hour!

On May 13th, we reported the Manufacturing Woodworking Association (MWA) won in arbitration a lawsuit it brought against the District Council, having to do with a sweetheart deal made in 2009 by Dennis Sheils, (former disgraced Vice President of the corrupt Forde administration) with Gilbert Displays, an out-of-Association contractor.

For those of you who aren't up to speed, this means that all Carpenters installing millwork for the MWA, will now be paid $27.94 dollars less in benefits than doing the same work under other contracts, like the Wall-Ceiling, or BCA.

We are told the Contribution Break Down is as follows:

• Pension Fund: $2.50 per hour, up to 40 hours. 
• Hollow Metal Welfare Fund: $5.70 per hour, up to 40 hours. 
• Vacation Fund: $2.61 per hour, up to 40 hours. 
• Supplemental Fund $.04 per hour, up to 40 hours. 
• Custom Woodworking Industry Fund: $.01 per hour, up to 40 hours.
• Labor Management Fund $.08 per hour, up to 40 hours. 
• NO ANNUITY. 

Total employer contribution: $10.94 per hour, up to 40 hours.

(Note: under Hollow Metal, $26,000 medical expense cap, 1200 hours required before coverage eligibility may be established, hours are non transferable between Hollow Metal & District Council Welfare Funds.)

CONTINUE READING...

Contract Update: Full Mobility

Dear UBC Brothers and Sisters:

We all know that "Full Mobility" is a hot button issue in regards to our ongoing contract negotiations. A proposal or an amendment to the proposal on the table should be as follows if the contractors continue to insist that "full mobility is a non- negotiable issue."

Please note that this recommendation is a last ditch resort, this is intended to be a so called, "ace in the hole."

Proposal is as follows:

1. The District Council will give the contractors full mobility 
2. Full mobility will only be given to the contractor in the area of the home local of the project. 
3. Contractors working on projects in the Borough of Queens can have full mobility using only members from Local 45. 
4. Contractors working on projects in the Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx can have full mobility using only members from Local 157. 
5. Contractors working on projects in the Borough of Staten Island can have full mobility using only members from Local 20. 
6. Contractors working on projects in the Borough of Brooklyn can have full mobility using only members from Local 926.
7. Shop Stewards will be assigned the same way, only Local 926 members can be a shop stewards in Local 926 jurisdiction, only Local 157 members can be shop stewards in Local 157 jurisdiction, only Local 20 members can be shop stewards in Local 20 jurisdiction, and only Local 45 members can be shop stewards in Local 45 jurisdiction.

Matching Issues: 

1. If a contractor wants to employ a member for example from Local 45 in Local 157s jurisdiction that Local 45 member would have to be directly matched by a Local 157 member from the OWL on 1:1 basis. This would be the same process in all Local Unions jurisdiction throughout the New York City District Council of Carpenters. The individual working outside of his home Local Unions jurisdiction would be considered and "Out of Area Carpenter." 
2. If a contractor wants to employ member for example from the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters or any other United Brotherhood of Carpenters affiliate this member would have to be matched directly from the OWL on a 2:1 basis on any project throughout the New York City District Council of Carpenters affiliate Locals 45, 157. 20, and 926. This individual would be considered and " Out of Towner." 
3. Also note that while working in the jurisdiction of the affiliates of the New York City District Council of Carpenters and "Out of Towner," may be receiving a higher rate into their fringe benefit package. For example in some areas neighboring the New York City District Council of Carpenters, a member may be receiving in there home Local or Council a $10.00/ hour contribution into their welfare aspect of their fringe benefits, while working in New York City District Council affiliates they will be receiving a $11.25/ hour contribution into their welfare aspect of their fringe benefits. The proposed would be that all excess funds $11.25 -$10.00, $1.25 would stay with the New York City District Council of Carpenters and serve as a "tax" for working on a project in the jurisdiction of one of the affiliates of the New York City District Council of Carpenters. Practice right now is that a check gets cut for the individual that is considered an " Out of Towner," working in New York City from the New York City District Council of Carpenters paying that difference $1.25/ hour back to that "Out of Towner." 

With the current state of the fund in the New York City District Council of Carpenters this would be a way to ensure that something stays with the New York City District Council of Carpenters Benefit Funds.

Your feedback is appreciated,
Concerned Members

(John's note: The following was presented at the last delegate body meeting).

Message From The Fraternal Order of Woodworkers

The Fraternal Order of Woodworkers Special Called Meeting Thursday, June 28th, 2012. 

As we find ourselves in, what we hope, is the tail end of an economic debacle, District Council restructuring, extremely important contract relations and now the fallout of the Manufacturing Woodworking Association, many members are extremely concerned. The questions are many and the answers are few. Our membership deserves to be kept up to date on all the important changes that will affect their lives and families.

Our NYCDCC woodworkers have been helping to build New York with integrity, hard work and honor for many years. The shops and installers have been making a living and prospering on the hard work and dedication of the union woodworker in N.Y.C. We have been installing their products and also trying to make a living. It seems that at every opportunity to take away from these dedicated workers, they cut and complain they are losing their shirts. Meanwhile, the dedicated worker show up everyday and install the jobs at hand. We deserve more respect and a little appreciation for helping these companies to make their fortunes as we try to get by on less and less.

Woodworkers in New York City must stand together and be proud of the fine work that we do. They are talking about pay cuts and have already begun to cut benefit rates for our brothers and sisters in the shop. Don't think that if some of these unscrupulous contractors get what they want, it wont spread to the rest of the carpentry trade in NYC.We are all in this union and should pull all carpenters together and stand tall.

The Fraternal Order of Woodworkers are having a special called meeting on Thursday, June 28th, 2012. This meeting is open to all woodworkers in the NYC area and we urge you to participate in this informational gathering. If your livelihood depends on working in the shop or in the field installing, you need to come to this important meeting and join together with others that share in this common goal. All F.O.W. members are required to attend this meeting.

The meeting will be held at the NYCDCC Labor Technical College, 2nd, floor at 5:00 pm, June 28th, 2012. Please feel free to come down and ask questions with all fellow woodworkers in N.Y.C. There have been requests made to have some representatives from the Council to field questions and concerns you may have about our situation with the Manufactures Woodworking Association.

The NYCDCC is involved with many ongoing legal issues concerning the current MWA situation and cannot comment or advise us at this time. This is also why this gathering is so essential. We must show all concerned that the woodworkers in NYC stand united and will do what is necessary to keep our trade and union strong for future carpenters.

This is your union and your livelihood. Please come down and get involved with the important changes that will affect you and your families for the future.

Thank you,
The Fraternal Order of Woodworkers.

Blue Card Update: Vacation Check Received with No Deductions

Please be advised that, effective immediately, the deduction of union working dues and assessments payable to the District Council pursuant to authorization cards (commonly known as the "blue cards") is no longer in effect. Accordingly, union working dues and assessments will no longer be deducted from your Vacation Benefits.

CONTINUE READING...

LU157 Delegate Election Results

From: Daniel J. Franco
(Note: The following preliminary results are subject to correction.)

Below are the names and ballot positions of the candidates that ran for LU157 Delegate. The election occurred at 395 Hudson St., 2nd Fl, Wednesday, June 20, 2012, between 6:30AM to 5:00PM.

Row A: INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES:

1. Gerry Matthews - 83
2. Dan Franco - 91
3. Anthony Madaio - 43
4. Kenny Bluhm - 49
5. Chris Berlingo - 29

Row B: WORKING MANS SLATE:

1. Mike Connor - 87
2. James P. Noonan - 78

Row C: RANK & FILE:

1. John DeFalco - 213
2. Thomas J. Kineavy - 181
3. James Fisher - 218

Row D: MEMBERS CHOICE:

1. Tommy McKeon - 152
2. Tommy Gaulrapp - 133
3. Robert F. Corrigan - 112

Members Eligible to Vote: 9999
Members that Voted: 507

Number of votes in descending order:

1. James Fisher - 218
2. John DeFalco - 213
3. Thomas J. Kineavy - 181
4. Tommy McKeon - 152
5. Tommy Gaulrapp - 133
6. Robert F Corrigan - 112
7. Dan Franco - 91
8. Mike Connor - 87
9. Gerry Matthews - 83
10. James P. Noonan - 78
11. Kenny Bluhm - 49
12. Anthony Madaio - 43
13. Chris Berlingo - 29

Contract Update

WE ARE PUTTING OUR HEADS TOGETHER AND USING COMMON SENSE

The reality of the bleak future facing union labor in New York City unless labor- management cooperation wins out finally hit home with the ironworker’s union agreeing to an unprecedented wage and benefit rollback that is shaking up development in the city.

Reacting to the possible loss of lucrative work at Hudson Yards followed by the Tappan Zee Bridge, members of Metallic Lathers and Reinforcing Ironworkers Local 46 voted to cut their compensation and work-rule changes that could slash total project costs by a significant amount. It seems that the iron workers finally realized that the Tappan Zee Bridge could be rebuilt without them, saving the state money, and that Related Cos. is aggressively seeking cost savings at Hudson Yards that may result in their using a combination of union and nonunion workers. Those projects are typical; just part of the potential problems faced by union construction right now, right here in New York City.

Reported by Crain’s New York Business, Michael Locker, a construction industry expert who consults for Local 46, said, “When labor and management really want to put their heads together and solve problems, they can.”

I promise we are putting our heads together and using common sense to solve the problems of mobility and compensation that we face at WC&C. And I can assure that your representatives will succeed in negotiating contracts that will bring more profitable work to our contractor members.

Meanwhile, while our eyes have been on negotiations, our warm winter slipped by hardly noticed at all and spring has begun to feel like early summer. Safety now takes on a new dimension on hot construction projects and it behooves us to ensure our people on the job take proper measures to protect against heat prostration.

OSHA has kicked off a national outreach initiative to educate workers and their employers about the hazards of working outdoors in hot weather. The outreach effort builds on last year’s successful summer campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of too much sun and heat. For outdoor workers, ‘water, rest and shade’ are three words that can make the difference between life and death,” Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said. “If employers take reasonable precautions, and look out for their workers, we can beat the heat.” This is an important issue. Vital as our labor/ management deliberations are, they pale in importance when measured against fatalities in the workplace. Let’s not forget safety on the job.

Executive Director
John DeLollis


Back to Square One

With a paltry 13% of eligible New York City District Council of Carpenter’s (NYCDCC) members voting, the voice of the UBC has been heard, rejecting a five year Collective Bargaining Agreement we began negotiating 18 months ago. Discouraged at the low turnout at the ballot box and not surprised of the outcome, we are back to square one.

Mobilization and compensation appear to be two major issues to overcome. Mobility affords the contractor to employ any NYCDCC member possessing the qualifications and skills for the tasks requested (ie: framing, sheetrocking, ACT Ceilings, millwork, etc.). Regulating mobility severely hampers the contractor’s ability to compete in the ever shrinking market share of union construction.

Compensation always becomes a spirited conversation during negotiations and I’m confident we can find some common ground to agree on. We have reopened negotiations, had a few meetings and are committed to finding common ground on an agreement before June 30th when the one year evergreen extension expires.

On the international front, we have been granted a sixty day extension on the AWCI International Agreement. One meeting was held in Washington on April 20th, 2012 and another is scheduled for June 7th, 2012. We have circulated a survey to our membership requesting feedback of the importance of the two man international agreement is to our association. I would like to thank you in advance for your feedback. Again I am confident we can find a common ground to finalize that agreement.

In closing I would like to thank Lee Zaretsky for his services on the AWCI Board of Directors. His three year term expires this coming fall. WCC Chairman Brian Gordon has gracefully accepted to fill the vacated seat. I look forward to working with Brian on the international level with our AWCI partners. Enjoy your summer.

President
Mike Weber

(John's note: Since elected leadership of the District Council has not officially informed the membership on the status of our contracts I thought you might enjoy an update from the Association of Wall-Ceiling & Carpentry Industries of New York, written in Off The Wall Spring 2012).

New Twist in 6-Year Fight With Developer: Union Rally Leads to Riot Charges

By CHARLES V. BAGLI

Outside a nonunion hotel construction site in Midtown Manhattan, a familiar scene unfolded last September: several hundred construction workers gathered to chant pro-union slogans.

To Robert James, an organizer for the laborers union, the rally seemed unremarkable.

That impression changed seven months later, when the Manhattan district attorney’s office notified Mr. James that he had been indicted on charges of coercion, inciting to riot and unlawful assembly. A second organizer was charged with assault, as well as riot and unlawful assembly.

The indictment of the two union organizers is the latest chapter in a six-year battle between the construction unions and a prolific hotel developer and his contractors over substandard wages. It has become a cause célèbre among labor leaders, in part because the presumed victim in the case, Cava Construction, is owned by a reputed member of the Genovese crime family, Carmine Della Cava. Mr. Della Cava, who was the driver for the boss of the Genovese crime organization in the mid-1980s, was convicted of a huge bid-rigging scheme in the 1990s.

CONTINUE READING...

Our Thoughts and Prayers are with You

Laura Jeanne Lebo

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Laura Jeanne Lebo, wife of District Council President Bill Lebo.

Laura Jeanne Lebo, 47, of Baldwin, NY passed away on June 14, 2012. Beloved wife of William. Loving mother of Tamara. Cherished daughter of Robert W. Madigan and Dolores Davis-Kahn. Dear sister of Robert W. Madigan Jr.

The District Council asks all members and employees to keep the Lebo family in their thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements are as follows:

Viewing hours will be on Saturday June 16, 2012 from 7PM to 9PM and Sunday June 17, 2012 from 2PM to 4PM and 7PM to 9PM at the Fullerton Funeral Home 769 Merrick Road in Baldwin, NY 11510

A Mass will be held on Monday June 18, 2012 at 9:45 AM at the Saint Christopher Church located at 11 Gale Ave in Baldwin, NY 11510.

Please feel free to post your online condolences for Bill and his family.

Fullerton Funeral Home added the video tribute Laura J. Lebo.

VOTE Joseph Passero for President Local Union 1556

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Local Union 1556

Change is in the air. You can feel it or ignore it at your very own personal peril. These last few years/months have been different from what we all usually expected. We have been merged, we have seen many people come and go and yet, some want things to remain the same.

Our deep and great history has shown us that dockbuilders, timberman, divers, tenders, hod hoist carpenter and core drillers are essentially conservative, but now, to try and conserve what we have is madness, because change is in the air. If we do not adapt to the new situations under which we must survive, then we will perish and become the new dinosaurs.

I am Joseph Passero, a proud diver/dockbuilder that has in the past sought and fought for what is right for the members. In my zeal to achieve our survival (in these very difficult times), some have chosen to marginalize me, minimize me and pray that I would just go away and melt into the background. But my determination to see a better local, transparent and loyal to its members has not been affected.

The majority of you, the members can see for yourself who are the people that have our local's interest at heart. Change is in the air and I ask you to join me in defining our future, our destiny without the shackles of those that have misled us all in the past. We can together forge a new direction which is accountable and transparent, that is responsible and trustworthy, that is real in these difficult times to our needs. I ask for your help because I am not, never have been, nor will ever be associated with the past "leaders" that have brought us all too where we are now.

I pledge before you now to run an administration that will carefully weigh the best interest of our membership. I pledge to secure our jurisdiction and make no concessions to those that would water down our rights and our prestige as craftsmen in our industry. I pledge to lead, with the input of every member and the consent of each and every one of you. I will update all of us as to progress or setbacks transparently. We are all in this together. I pledge zero tolerance for cronyism and favoritism. After all, the local belongs to all of us and should reflect this basic truth: that any leader or administration is acting in behalf of the intended beneficiaries of the local: this means you! And you are the most important part of this union as a member in good standing whose productivity contributes to the wellbeing of all our membership. In putting all of you as individuals first. We cannot fail, this is my pledge for a new direction.

I am asking for Your Support and Vote Joseph Passero for President of Local Union 1556 for a New Direction, not business as usual.

You can contact me about issues or concerns with our Local or the NYCDCC, my email address is thedockbuilder@gmail.com my phone number is 646-456-6966.

Fraternally,
Joseph Passero
Local Union 1556
UBC Certified Shop Steward

Got jobs? New York City does

The city economy continued its remarkable run, adding 14,100 private-sector jobs in May, according to data released Thursday. But unemployment ticked up.

By Daniel Massey

The city economy continued its remarkable run of growth in May, adding 14,100 private-sector jobs and bringing total private-sector growth to 70,100 for the year, according to an analysis of state Department of Labor data released Thursday.

The unemployment rate ticked up slightly, to 9.7% from 9.5%, but that increase was because job growth did not keep pace with a jump in the city workforce, which expanded by 11,000 in May. The city netted 12,300 jobs last month after losses in the public sector, according to the analysis by real estate services firm Eastern Consolidated.

"A growing labor force shouldn't be a surprise when we keep coming out every month saying how strong job growth is," said James Brown, principal economist at the state Department of Labor. When the economy improves, the workforce typically expands as those discouraged from looking for jobs begin hunting again.

The city has added 7,800 more jobs in the first five months of the year than it did in all of 2011.

Despite the job growth, James Parrott, chief economist at the Fiscal Policy Institute, said that the recovery wasn’t reaching all New Yorkers. The average duration of unemployment in the city is now nearly 10 months, with 110,000 workers out of work for more than a year.

“When you factor in discouraged workers and those working part-time involuntarily, the city’s true unemployment rate is 16%—a crisis by any definition,” he said.

In the past year, most of the city's gains have come in leisure and hospitality and professional and business services. From May 2011 to May 2012, the city added 75,700 private-sector jobs, more than three-quarters of which have come in those two sectors.

"A lot of what drives the national numbers, we're not directly tied to," said Mr. Brown, citing auto manufacturing and export-related industries as examples. "We're more tied to business profits and tourism."

In May, professional and business services added 8,500 jobs, while leisure and hospitality posted a 3,800-job gain. Other industries that added jobs were real estate, which grew by 2,200 positions, and arts/entertainment/recreation, which gained 2,100. Defying recent layoff announcements, Wall Street added 1,500 jobs, bringing its total increase for the year to 3,400.

After two solid months, construction shed 3,600 jobs in May, the only industry with a significant loss. Barbara Byrne Denham, chief economist at real estate services firm Eastern Consolidated, said the loss is likely an aberration, as building permits are on the rise.

Since bottoming out in September 2009, the city has added 205,800 private-sector jobs, for a growth rate of 6.6%. The nation, meanwhile, has added 4.3 million private sector jobs, a 4% growth rate.

"New York City's economy continues to accelerate as the U.S. economy decelerates," Ms. Denham said.

Code of Ethics

In June 2012, The Delegate Body approved New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters Code of Ethics

PREAMBLE A commitment to fair and ethical business practices is fundamental to the proper functioning of the New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters (“District Council”). Our continued success will only be achieved if all officers, employees, and agents of the District Council and its Local Unions maintain the highest level of personal integrity and observe the highest standards of ethical conduct.

The Code of Ethics that follows sets forth the fundamental values of the District Council to help guide its officers, employees, and agents in their day-to-day decision making and conduct. The Code is intended to express the District Council’s absolute commitment to establishing and embedding a culture that values and expects integrity and ethical conduct from all of its representatives and from every individual and organization with whom the District Council conducts business.

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Roll Back Corrupt Forde era Assessments

The following email was sent today to the Executives Officers of the New York City District Council of Carpenters.

EST, Michael Bilello
President, Bill Lebo
Vice President, Mike Cavanaugh 

Gentlemen:

I applaud your recent initiative to no longer collect Working Dues and Working Dues Assessments through Vacation Benefit deductions. This has been a great issue of contention with the membership for to long.

It is time we take the next bold step and roll back the corrupt Forde era imposed working dues assessment and $500 fine for picket duty, which from its inception has been construed by the membership as extortion.

As you know the membership is grossly over assessed. I urge you and the Audit committee to review all assessments and working dues and recommend to the delegate body an elimination of these gross over assessments.

We should be fiscally responsible and hold our spending budget to the 1% assessment and per capita tax collected from each local.

The membership lives within a strict budget, so should our District Council.

Plain and simply, These working dues increase was a money grab by the corrupt Forde administration, administered by a policy of fear and intimidation that has not benefited the membership one iota.

The membership never voted on these working dues and it is adding insult to injury and a slap in the face to every member of this Union to keep these assessments in place.

Acting fiscally responsible with members money should be our top priority.

Its time to cut spending across the board, cut membership assessments and create a realistic and meaningful financial climate that benefits our membership.


(John Musumeci is an elected Local 157 Delegate to the Council and creator/editor of local157.blogspot.com)

cc: Delegates
     Review Officer, Dennis Walsh