Let's be heard! A Mobilized Membership Is An Irresistible Force. This forum is dedicated to empowering and mobilizing the membership into an irresistible force through the free and open exchange of information, ideas and opinions in the belief that as Union members you have the right to information, to hear, and to be heard! A Mobilized Membership Is An Irresistible Force
Monday, January 1, 2018
Carpenter Forum
Saturday, November 25, 2017
U.S. v. D.C. Transcript of 11/2/16 Court Conference
THE COURT: Nice to see everybody. I have two issues
that I'd
like to talk about, just feel free. The principal one, as you
know, relates to the funds. Way back, I think in January of
this year, I don't know what prompted it. I think I saw a
report about the funds and not unlike other people had some
really dismal results, financial results. I asked around. I
think we've had the same funds manager, as it were, Gallagher,
for a long time. I don't know them one way or another, but I
do know that in other industries and in other fields, they're
continuously looking at their performance and results and if
they see a dip, they talk to three other people and see who
maybe could do better, or maybe not. And I thought here,
particularly since there's so much money involved, several
billion dollars, and since these are funds really of employees,
actually I thought I had a duty to raise the issue. I did
raise it. I got an immediate response, I think, from
Mr. McGuire was very positive, said we'll get on it right away.
And then I was a little disappointed not long after that to get
a letter which suggested that he wasn't getting on it so fast.
Anyway, there's been back and forth, and now it's November and
I'm a little surprised that we're at November and nobody is
eager as I am to do something. That's the origin. I'm happy
to you from you, Boyd, and also from you, Glen, but I'd be more happy to hear from the trustees, who have been pointed to as
why nothing has happened.
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Fourth Independent Monitor Interim Report With Exhibits
Pursuant to Paragraph 5.l.iii of the Stipulation and Order filed in this matter on April 18, 2016 (the “2016 Stipulation and Order”), I respectfully submit this Fourth Interim Report as the Independent Monitor (“IM”) of the District Council of New York City and Vicinity of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (the “District Council” or “Union”), and its affiliated Taft-Hartley fringe benefit funds (the “Benefit Funds” or the “Funds”).
Sunday, October 23, 2016
U.S. v. D.C. Transcript of 10/17/16 Court Conference
THE COURT: Don't go down that path, Mr. McGuire.
This issue has been pending since January 2016. I could more easily have gotten the president of the United States to come up with a meeting, and I don't feel that I have any particular inside track. What is it, ten months or so? We could have gotten, I don't know, you name it, Donald Trump. We could have had him here in that period of time. These are busy people.
So that's an unfortunate -- that is going to be an
unsuccessful path for you to go down.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Third Independent Monitor Interim Report With Exhibits
As the Court is well aware, there has been significant discussion over the last six months regarding the Court’s interest in the Trustees’ solicitation of outside auditors to evaluate whether its current financial advisors’ methodologies are consistent with, if not surpassing, typical market practices. After much back-and-forth between the Court and counsel for the Funds, I am genuinely confident that the Trustees will devise an outside review that will satisfy the Court, and that the Funds can engage in such an inquiry without fear that whatever recommendations are made will be binding on them. I expect in the coming weeks that the Co-Chairs of the Trustees, Funds counsel, and I will meet with the Court to further discuss this project.
Third Independent Monitor Interim Report With Exhibits
As the Court is well aware, there has been significant discussion over the last six months regarding the Court’s interest in the Trustees’ solicitation of outside auditors to evaluate whether its current financial advisors’ methodologies are consistent with, if not surpassing, typical market practices. After much back-and-forth between the Court and counsel for the Funds, I am genuinely confident that the Trustees will devise an outside review that will satisfy the Court, and that the Funds can engage in such an inquiry without fear that whatever recommendations are made will be binding on them. I expect in the coming weeks that the Co-Chairs of the Trustees, Funds counsel, and I will meet with the Court to further discuss this project.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
On Thursday June 23, 2016 Vote Members' Voice
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| Click to enlarge |
carpenters were receiving in their local and regional union government.
We are a group of rank and file carpenters, we work on the tools day in and day out. With that we have an understanding of what issues face union members and their families that no paid employee of the district council can ever understand.
This election is different from all the others. Your voice is needed now more than ever. With the briskly changing times in construction in New York City, we need to work together to preserve principles that protect our families and union. Sadly, when one looks at the voting records of some delegates, it appears they are completely out of touch with the average carpenter working in the field today. The members of Local 157 and their families deserve leadership that understands their needs and situations.
We work hard to represent the carpenters of Local 157 and welcome member input and support. We also encourage members of all the Locals' in The New York City District Council of Carpenters to stand up and demand the representation they deserve!
To learn more check out our website www.membersvoice157.com
Saturday, May 14, 2016
U.S. v. D.C. Transcript of 4/18/16 Court Conference
THE COURT: Well, who cares, to be perfectly honest with you. Necessary, appropriate, and prudent, I, without knowing more, I would disagree. It seems to me -- and I've been in business myself in the private sector for a long period of my career. This kind of thing is done all the time. It's called an audit. And it's an audit by an outside independent to see if in fact they're right. It's not uncommon for people who have a vested interest in the performance, in saying things are hunky dory and healthy, doing well, don't think it's necessary, etc., etc., it's very common to have that reaction. But from my point of view it's not very comforting.
MR. McGUIRE: I could revisit it with the trustees, your Honor, but I'm fairly confident they will again make the same decision.
THE COURT: And why? Why do they think that it's unnecessary? Yes. You tell me an audit is too expensive to do, costs a hundred thousand dollars and a waste of money. So I don't know if it's too expensive or, you know, we're doing so well, or why.
MR. McGUIRE: Well, this kind of audit, by another firm, of your investment advisor, in fact is highly uncommon in that part of the world.
THE COURT: Oh, that's nonsense. I don't mean to be rude. But all the time, financial performance is monitored, and all the time are outside persons called in to -- it's not necessarily an evaluation to see if there's wrongdoing. It's just an evaluation to see if this money could be better invested. It's not a big deal.
THE COURT: So to your knowledge, Mr. McGuire, has the Department of Labor done a recent audit of the benefit funds?
MS. O'LEARY: There was a pension fund audit, your Honor, done last year that ended with no action, and the Department of Labor has just commenced a welfare fund audit.
THE COURT: What did they say about the issues I'm raising?
MS. O'LEARY: They just asked for a number of documents and then they just said -- they don't tell you specifically what their focus is.
THE COURT: That's not really what I have in mind.
MR. McGUIRE: Your Honor, DOL ordinarily does not evaluate your performance returns.
THE COURT: That's my point. That is exactly my point.
MR. McGUIRE: But the law has entrusted that responsibility to an equal number of union trustees and management trustees. The only guidance provided in the law is that you have to ensure that you secure expert advice, which we've done, and you have to have widely diversified investments, because --
THE COURT: And they don't care what return on investment you get.
MR. McGUIRE: They don't.
THE COURT: They don't.
MR. McGUIRE: No.
THE COURT: Really. That's astonishing.
Monday, February 8, 2016
Source: Ex-Carpenters head Ed Coryell was blindsided by his ouster
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| Edward Coryell Sr.’s union had quit the Philadelphia Building Trades Council. |
Douglas McCarron, the decisive general president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, dropped in to tell Coryell that he was out.
The visit was short. Less than an hour. And Coryell had no idea it was coming, said friends and allies of the ousted labor leader.
By the time McCarron left, or shortly afterward, signs went up on the doors of the carpenters' headquarters on Spring Garden Street.
"At the direction of UBC general president Doug McCarron," the signs said, the council's 17,000 members and their union locals were closed and divided among councils based in Edison, N.J.; Pittsburgh; and Framingham, Mass.
While many aspects of Coryell's dismissal remain mysterious, one thing is certain, said John J. McNichol, chief executive of the Pennsylvania Convention Center: The change won't lead to union carpenters' returning to the building to set up and dismantle conventions.
"There is zero discussion or consideration of that," he said.
Fellow union leader John J. "Johnny Doc" Dougherty said he spent the day on the phone "talking to owners, developers, and contractors and letting them know there's continuity in the construction industry." Dougherty, who leads Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, now also heads the Philadelphia Building Trades Council.
Coryell's union had quit the council, a sore point among others in the building trades.
Dougherty said his role was to reassure: "The cool part of Philadelphia, you can change quarterbacks and the game goes on."
Running the show at the carpenters' headquarters is Michael Capelli, eastern district vice president under the direction of Frank Spencer, a McCarron lieutenant from Haddonfield and a top national vice president.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Union Dues It's Your Money Isn't It?
Union members clearly deserve to know how their dues monies are spent. In an effort to better educate our members on union finances and provide
much needed transparency, Local157.blogspot.com is providing you with
one click, free access to the latest LM-2 Report filed by the New York District Council of Carpenters. Under the law you have a right to this information.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Friday, September 11, 2015
9/11, 14 years on: The Day We Will Never Forget
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| America on 9/11: firemen at the World Trade Center; the second tower under attack |
A fourth hijacked jet crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after the passengers tried to take control of the plane from the hijackers.
2,977 people were killed.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Benefit for David Ciccimarra
Members will be hosting a Benefit Event for Member David Cicimarra, Navy Veteran and Disabled Hardhat:
Wednesday December 16th
Mr. Dennehy's Bar
63 Carmine St.New York, NY 10014
4-8 PM - Open Bar
David sustained injuries while working at the VSC World Trade Center project. He has been out of work enduring physical and financial hardship.
We ask all brother and sister Hardhats, Veterans and Americans to join us and support our fallen brother.
More information concerning David, the raffle being offered and associated prizes, and contact information, you can view or download the Flyer.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
GO Tanner Saraceno
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| Tanner Saraceno |
The competition will premier Tuesday, June 23, 8:00 on the USA channel.
To learn more visit Tanner's Facebook page and tweet to Tanner on Twitter !
His proud Dad Danny sent me this YouTube clip on Tanner's last fight in South Carolina. I think you will enjoy it! GO TANNER!!!
About Tanner Saraceno, Boiling Springs, S.C.
Looking for a fighter? Look no further than Tanner Saraceno, a tattooed mixed-martial arts fighter with the beard of a wildman and a resume that would make most opponents shrivel in fear. An 11-year wrestler with high school and college experience, Saraceno was named the team captain and MVP of his college team after walking on as a freshman. His hobbies are oddly tame — cooking and brushing his hair — as is his profession: tree trimmer. Rest assured, however, in WWE Tough Enough, he has one goal with relation to his fellow contestants: chop them down and take the contract for himself.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Meet the Independent Monitor–– GLEN MCGORTY
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| Glen G McCorty |
It is a great honor to be appointed as your Independent Monitor. First and foremost, I am committed to approaching this position with diligence and respect. The District Council and its Benefit Funds have a tumultuous past, but the core mission runs deep. Every interaction I have had with its Brothers and Sisters has shown me that you are here to support each other, and that you will hold the District Council and its Benefit Funds accountable to that purpose. I will aid you in this endeavor, drawing on my experience of nearly fifteen years as a federal prosecutor, during which I prosecuted organized crime, fraud, and corruption of every sort.
I come to the Council at a time when the most visible forms of corruption have been abolished. However, this success required the decisive action of both the District Court and United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and its appointed Monitors. Great progress has been made in adopting policies that guard against corruption, and I firmly believe that it is now time for the District Council and the Benefit Funds to assume a greater role in holding itself up to the admirable standards set forth in the UBC Constitution.
I will work with the leadership of the Council and the Funds to ensure that all improvements to its operations going forward benefit members in a fair, effective, and compliant way. And while my approach to this job will be one of teamwork and cooperation, make no mistake that I am here for a single purpose: to ensure this union remains free of the problems which have plagued its past. As a result, I will not tolerate corruption at any level of this organization and I intend to use the powers given to me by the District Court to prioritize this goal above all others.
I do not believe my time here, however, is indefinite. On the contrary, during my tenure I hope to oversee the strengthening of the governing framework to the point where a monitor is no longer necessary. Self-governance cannot be achieved without your involvement. This Council’s democratic system of governance depends on it, and corruption can rebound all too easily amid disinterest.
I urge you to stay educated about the issues facing the District Council and its Benefit Funds and to use your voice and your vote in an informed and reasoned way. I also urge you to use both the Independent Monitor Hotline (877-712-4896) and internal lines of reporting, if you have any concerns about corrupt practices. This union has a bright future, and I look forward to assisting in any way I can to get it there.
Respectfully, Glen G. McGorty
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
The Final Report of the Review Officer
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| Federal Watchdog Dennis Walsh |
Let the bells ring. Though there is much good news, there are those for whom my departure is reason enough for celebration. But I hope that there are also those who reflect on what has been wrought, and on the simple question: what now?
To those who will continue to accept the imperative of working hard and meeting the challenges facing the Union with courage, energy and intellect, but most of all with honor, I will say well done.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
District Council Officer Election - Preliminary Results
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