Rally Update: MEMBERS TO PROTEST UBC LEADERSHIP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: NYC CARPENTERS RANK-AND-FILE ORGANIZED (NYCCRFO)
Contact: Demian Schroeder
(646) 321-3274
rally524@yahoo.com

MEMBERS TO PROTEST UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS LEADERSHIP (UBC)

BY RALLYING AT NYC HEADQUARTERS ON EVE OF CONTRACT EXPIRATION

-- Union Members Demonstrate Against Despotic McCarron Regime, Wage and Benefit Cuts, Forced Bylaws and Restructuring –

New York, August 23, 2011 – An organization of union members have announced a protest of United Brotherhood of Carpenters officials, Thursday, August 25th 3:30, at 395 Hudson, headquarters of the NYC District Council of Carpenters—the largest trade union in the city-- known for its history of leadership tied to organized crime, and decades of government supervision.

On June 31, NYC Carpenters agreements with the contractor associations expired, and deadlines have been extended several times. Talks reportedly were set to resume on Monday, August 22.

Rank-and-file Carpenters mobilized into action last week after learning the District Council and the employers associations had tentatively agreed to a new five-year contract calling for five percent pay cuts in the first year, after already for-going two scheduled pay increases. (Every other union in the NYC building trades has reached deals that include cost of living raises.)

On Tuesday, rally fliers were posted on local157.blogspot.com, an independent Carpenters news-site; by Wednesday and Thursday rally organizers were distributing fliers to shop stewards. Word of mouth immediately spread on job-sites and by text message and cell phones. Friday, just days after learning of the pay cut, over 600 hundred Carpenters responded and supported the impromptu rally.

Two carpenters were arrested, as hundreds broke through the police barricade set up across the street from the council and charged the building with signs chanting, "This is our building, This is our building"..."Rats in the building, Rats go home, Rats in the building, Rats go home"...and "No Pay-Cuts, No-Pay-Cuts."

Contract Negotiations are being led by Supervisor Frank Spencer, who was appointed in 2009 by UBC President Douglas J. McCarron to oversee the District Council after several of its officials were indicted for bribery. The contract deadline has been extended to Friday, August 26.

Contractor groups represented by the Building Trades Employers Association have demanded full control over work referral traditionally shared with the Union. The Wall-Ceiling & Carpentry Industries of New York is a member of the BTEA. Last year its director, Joseph Olivieri, was found to have been involved in extorting the Carpenters Union while tied to labor racketeer Vincent DiNapoli, and was convicted of perjury.

Carpenters are not allowed to vote on their contracts, unlike most union members.

The protest against undemocratic UBC leadership is at 395 Hudson, 3:30pm August 25th 2011.

For more information: call 646-321-3274 or email rally524@yahoo.com
Visit: http://nyccrfo.blogspot.com/
NYCCRFO is for:
- Democratic process
- Members’ rights
- Worker solidarity
- Municipal service divorced from partisan politics.
- We recognize that the interests of labor are identical regardless of occupation, sex, nationality, religion, or ethnicity, for a wrong done to one is a wrong done to all.