"Because That’s Where The Money Is"

Carpenters often ask, "What do they spend my dues and assessment money on?"

Unfortunately its not an easy question to answer, there are LM-2 reports which unions are required to file with the Department of Labor, however these reports do not tell the whole story on union expenses.

With the arrest of Mike Forde and revelations of corruption, drug use and financial mismanagement, there is outrage building among the rank and file.

Willy Sutton was a depression era bank robber. He was wanted for robberies in Miami, New Orleans, and New York. After his capture in 1950, a reporter asked him why he robbed banks. His reply was, “Because that’s where the money is.” Aside from the lack of moral justification, his strategy was sound: go where the money is.

Listed below is the New York City District Council Of Carpenters, LM2 reports, covering the Forde years, from 2000 - 2009.

The reports show total membership has increased from 23,992 members in 2000, to 24,816 members in 2009, an increase of 894 members.

During the same period total receipts (that’s the money they take from you) has increase from $17,671,440 to $53,049,510, an increase of $35,378,070.

Also during the same period total disbursements (that’s the money they spent) has increase from $17,739,233 to $41,665,341 an increase of $23,926,108.

Can someone explain, how has this increase of almost $24 million in spending benefited the rank and file?

Has this fleecing of membership money improved our District Council?

What aspects of our lives have improved due to an outrageously expensive District Council under the “Unity Team” administration?

In other words, what have we gained from this appalling increase in spending, other than ridiculously high council salaries? (see ALL STARS, below)

With carpenters struggling everyday, and the current state of our district council, you would have to conclude the members are hardly getting the best bang for their hard earned bucks from these council "ALL STARS."

Let us know what you think, comment below!

Reports filed for the District Council, click to view each year. (032-922)

Date Received	Filing Type	Fiscal Year	Trust Name	Total Assets	Total Liabilities	Total Receipts	Total Disbursements	Total Membership
Oct 06, 2009	LM-2	2009 Report		$58,193,112	$1,700,013	$53,049,510	$41,665,341	24,816
Sep 24, 2008	LM-2	2008 Report		$47,586,471	$2,178,591	$58,028,935	$39,049,178	25,515
Sep 27, 2007	LM-2	2007 Report		$32,679,947	$1,713,102	$45,518,392	$43,247,257	24,857
Oct 05, 2006	LM-2	2006 Report		$23,028,874	$1,664,918	$44,130,236	$44,094,876	24,015
Sep 30, 2005	LM-2	2005 Report		$23,138,518	$3,953,753	$39,691,330	$38,817,299	22,107
Oct 04, 2004	LM-2	2004 Report		$22,887,757	$1,435,067	$37,928,272	$38,408,615	22,855
Sep 29, 2003	LM-2	2003 Report		$22,122,672	$1,210,280	$32,328,877	$30,633,503	23,127
Oct 10, 2002	LM-2	2002 Report		$22,985,856	$1,070,616	$32,961,853	$32,991,436	24,058
Oct 09, 2001	LM-2	2001 Report		$20,877,299	$1,144,920	$34,880,406	$34,613,324	24,027
Oct 03, 2000	LM-2	2000 Report		$14,746,914	$810,534	$17,671,440	$17,739,233	23,992

Indicted former carpenter boss Mike Forde was at the top of the heap pulling down a yearly salary and disbursements of $702,568, followed by Pete Thomassen at $268,827 and Dennis Sheil at $253,500, these figures do not include compensation for pensions, annuity's, car allowances and other union-related expenses, which brings the total even higher.
The top earning council "ALL STARS" for 2009:

• Martin Devereaut $506,824
  
• Scott Danielson $214,224
• Maurice Leary $204,345
• Charles Harkin $195,014
  
• John Greaney $184,307
• Samuel Baley $183,452
• Edward McWilliams $179,792
• John Early $178,578
  
• Jeff Passante $178,210
• Richard Tuccillo $176,472
  
• Michael Koballa $176,337
• John Harkin $172,850
  
• Mike Zemski $171,760
• Robert Seeger $171,682
  
• Maryann June $169,572
• Joe Ventura $169,340
• Gary Shelton $166,538
• Paul Tyznar $164,270
• Sal Antonucci $161,908
• Ron Rawald $161,123
  

LM-2 2009