EST October Town Hall

EST Oct. Townhall P1 from NYCDCC on Vimeo.

EST Oct. Townhall P2 from NYCDCC on Vimeo.

Delegate Election Protest Reponse Letter

This memorandum will document the circumstances of William Walsh being deemed not eligible to serve as Delegate to the New York City District Council of Carpenters (“NYCDCC”) on October 9th, 2013 (See McCarron letter Below). The paradigms of this memorandum will elucidate how the Stipulation and Order and Consent Decree are being provoked and anticipate the United States District Court’s assessment on why Mr. Walsh’s eligibility results are disregarded by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (“UBC”) General President Douglas J. McCarron.

Mr. Walsh’s was regarded not eligible for the position of Delegate to the NYCDCC by the UBC General President in Section 31D of the UBC Constitution. The election protest was received by the UBC on July 15th, 2013, initiated by Mr. Joseph Nina, Local 157 member and NYCDCC Trustee, who was not re-elected to serve as a delegate at the June 19th, 2013 election. Mr. Nina proceeded to file the grievance on Mr. Walsh’s disability eligibility, not the nomination, election protest or an election procedure. It is clear in Section 53G of the UBC Constitution that “any grievance may be appealed to the General President thirty (30) days from the date the grievance occurred.”

Technology Committee Announcement

With the unanimous recommendation of the Executive Committee and the approval of the Delegate Body, the District Council will be issuing an RFP (Request for Proposal) to hire an consultant to aid the Technology Committee in determining the IT structure best suited to achieve an integrated system that supports the Union’s work. The establishment of the Technology Committee was unanimously voted in favor by the Executive Committee, and the Technology Members were appointed by EST Pro Tem McInnis.

Among the important goals of the Committee’s work is to develop an integrated computer hardware and software system by which the Shop Stewards, Reps, the Out of Work List, the Organizing Department, and all other departments within the District Council can effectively and efficiently share information about jobs, hours, grievances, organizing, and the honest building and running of the Union free from corruption. Another goal is to develop the means by which the District Council’s information on members’ jobs and hours will be coordinated with the Benefit Funds.

Former Council Leader Sues Carpenters, Claims Supervision of SWRCC Is Illegal

Dismissed by Mike McCarrom

(Correction, I had posted that "Two weeks ago a federal district court judge denied Mike McCarrons' complaint".

That was incorrect, this case/complaint (McCarron v. Carpenters, C.D. Cal., 8:13-cv-01559-JVS-AN, complaint H/ed 10/4/ 13) was NOT denied. The request for an Emergency Temporary Restrating Order was denied without any statement of reasons or determination of merit. 

This case was scheduled to begin, however for reasons of which Mike McCarron has not explained this case was withdrawn by the Plaintiff on Oct 17, 2013. No reasons why ("This action is dismissed by the Plaintiff(s) in its entirety").

By Jewel Edwards

Oct. 1O-Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters’ former executive secretary- treasurer Michael McCarron, who was removed from his elected offices in July, filed a lawsuit on Oct. 4 against the Carpenters and Joiners of America and his brother, Carpenters General President Douglas McCarron, alleging that Douglas ejected Michael from his position in the union through an illegally imposed trusteeship (McCarron v. Carpenters, C.D. Cal., 8:13-cv-01559-JVS-AN, complaint H/ed 10/4/ 13).

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that Douglas McCarron violated Section 302 of the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act when he breached the union’s constitutional rules for implementing a trusteeship on a council or local branch of the union.

LMRDA Section 302 states that labor organizations must abide by their union constitutions and bylaws when establishing a trusteeship over a subordinate body of the organization.

According to the complaint, Douglas McCarron illegally delegated his authority to place the SWRCC under emergency supervision to Carpenters union Vice President Douglas Banes without holding a hearing to determine whether the emergency supervision was necessary (59 CLR 713, 8/1/13).

INDIA GRIFFIN SPEAKS TO MEMBERS AT LOCAL 409

India Griffin and other Mike McCarron supporters were present. India made a statement against the supervision of the SWRCC. After she finished, Mike Draper demanded that she answer some questions from him. Draper was belligerent towards India and was yelling at her. She attempted to answer his questions, but when he would not stop yelling she walked out. Draper continued to yell at her and then demanded that her statement be stricken from the record. Yet another instance of the UBC silencing members and keeping the truth from being heard.

To learn more visit Stand With Mike McCarron.

Federal judge denies Mike McCarrons Temporary Restraining Order

Last week a federal district court judge denied Mike McCarrons' request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).

Mike posted this on his website—"The denial was issued without decision and not based on the merits of the case. This was an expected result. Under federal law trusteeships are presumed valid, even when they are not and are very hard to attack. Nonetheless, I felt I had to take a shot and to get my side of the story out through court declarations. Over 14,000 people have seen my declarations. This is just one battle in a war that is far from over. I thank you for your support and well wishes."

Sincerely,
Mike McCarron

Carpenters’ Local 157 online scholarship application is up and running

We are happy to report that the Carpenters’ Local 157 online scholarship application is up and running. Please follow this link to apply: https://aim.applyists.net/Local157

The Local 157 Scholarship Program was designed to assist eligible high school seniors in meeting college expenses. The program is open to all college bound children of Local 157 members who are in good standing. With many of our children aspiring to a college degree, parents are hard pressed to secure adequate funding for their children to attend the college or university of their choice. This program provides us with another way to express our continuing support to the members of Local 157 and their families, as well as making a contribution to society by providing the benefits of a college education to deserving young people.

Four scholarships will be awarded annually under this program for the academic year that begins with the fall semester. Applications for these scholarships must be submitted by the date stated on the application.

HOW TO APPLY: To be considered for a Carpenters' Local 157 Scholarship, the applicant must:

• Fill out an online application form by clicking here and following the directions.
• Only candidates who have submitted scholarship applications will be considered for the Carpenters Local 157 Scholarship.

Brother Billy Glynn Runs NYC Marathon to Raise Money for Sick Children

LU 157 member Billy Glynn is raising funds in support of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp by running in the ING NYC Marathon on November 3, 2013 as part of Team Hole in the Wall.

To date, more than 20,000 children with serious illnesses have attended The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp free of charge. Camp is a place where the children, first and foremost, can simply be kids. Certainly, their medical treatments continue while they are at Camp, but those treatments are as unobtrusive as possible. These kids are at Camp to play.

Please consider supporting Billy as he tries to raise funds to send a child to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause by making your tax-deductible donation online. If you prefer, you can mail your check, payable to "Team Hole in the Wall", directly (see flier right).

Whatever you can give will help - it all adds up!

Follow this Link to visit Billy's personal web page and help him in his efforts to support Team Hole in the Wall

MCCARRON BROTHERS BATTLE OVER THE FUTURE OF THE CARPENTERS UNION

Mike McCarron of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters Files Suit Attacking the Improper Trusteeship Imposed on the Council by his brother and General President Doug McCarron. 

On Friday, October 4, 2013, Mike McCarron and two other members of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters (SWRCC) filed suit, in Federal Court in the Central District of California [Case no. SACV13‐1559 JVS ANX; 8‐13CV1559 JVS ANX] against the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) seeking to overturn a trusteeship imposed upon the SWRCC and Carpenters Local 1506. The suit also names as defendants, Mike’s brother Doug McCarron, the UBC’s General President and the mastermind of the scheme, Douglas Banes, the UBC’s General Vice President who imposed the trusteeship to provide Doug McCarron with cover, and Michael Draper, a UBC District Vice President who has been appointed as Trustee of the SWRCC. Today, Mike McCarron and the two other members filed an ex parte application for a Temporary Restraining Order and a Preliminary Injunction dissolving the trusteeship and staying any further trusteeship proceeding.

MIKE MCCARRON SEEKS TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST UBC TO DISSOLVE THE TRUSTEESHIP OF THE SWRCC

Big News! Please read the TRO Application and more importantly the Supporting Declarations by Mike McCarron, Michael Olds, Lindsey Maldoon and Kathy McCarron, which explain the situation in its entirety.

For more information on the supporting Declarations click here.  

Commentary on the McCarron Video

By Richard Dorrough

When I first saw this video I tried to decide which part was of the most value and importance to the rank and file of the UBC and labor as a whole to view.

Was it Doug McCarron admitting he is collecting his Southwest Pension which it appears according to the Plan Summary he is doing so illegally. Southwest Plan Rule "you cannot work in any employment or activity in the building and construction industry anywhere."

Prohibited work includes,but is not limited to the following "Supervisory and labor relations work in the industry."

Was it the Chairman of the Southwest Pension Douglas McCarron lying with his "retiree working in Alabama story" which was pure BS and a lie according to the Plan Summary. "Southwest Plan Rule""you cannot work in any employment or activity in the building and construction industry anywhere."

Update From Mike McCarron

Mike McCarron

The internal UBC 14(D) charges filed against Mike McCarron and the Emergency Supervision of the Southwest Regional Council are the direct result of a personal vendetta by General President Doug McCarron against his brother Mike.


Mike and Doug's relationship has been strained since December of 2011 and came to a breaking point after their mother passed away on May 21, 2013.  The 14(D) charges were filed against Mike by Doug because he did not have control over his brother Mike and their mother's estate.  Doug wants to take Mike's union membership away through the 14(D) charges to ensure his re-election as general president in 2015.   When it became apparent to Doug that Mike intended to fight the charges and discuss their personal history at the July 25, 2013 Delegates Meeting, Doug had the SWRCC placed under Emergency Supervision.  The reason was to silence Mike and prevent the true story from coming out.

On October 1, 2013, Mike McCarron posted this message on his website.

Important Update To All My Supporters— I was just informed that I was found guilty on all charges by the UBC Kangaroo Court.

At trial, I introduced 630 pages of documents and had nine witnesses testify on my behalf. In spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary of the charges, Frank Spencer, Jim Smith and Dave Tharpe did what they were told by my loving brother, dictator Doug. Shame on all of you! Shame also on Mike Draper, Justin (the minister) Weidner, and Doug’s director of real estate, Randy Sowell.

I would also like to thank the behind the scenes henchmen for the three documented instances of witness tampering and intimidation, as well as the introduction of falsified documents.

********************************

Democracy in this Brotherhood is Dead!—Don't miss this exchange between Mike and Doug on the floor of Local 1506 on 9.20.2013 fast forward video to 41 minutes into the meeting.

 To learn more visit Stand With Mike McCarron.

The Cement League Strike Is Over!

I would like to sincerely thank the Executive Committee for their hard work during this long and arduous negotiation with The Cement League. We are currently in the process of drafting a Memorandum of Agreement to be signed today, which will be presented to the Executive Committee Monday October 7, and to the Delegates Wednesday October 9 for approval.

The support of the members has been overwhelming and much appreciated.

More details will follow as they become available.

Fraternally,
Stephen McInnis
Executive Secretary Treasurer Pro Tem

Court Transcript of 9/30/2013

On September 16, 2013 Review Officer Dennis Walsh petitioned the Court requiring the District Council to "Implement Updated Business and IT Operations Plan." The upgrade was previously rejected by the Executive Committee and Delegate Body.

Judge Richard Berman scheduled a hearing for September 30, 2013 at 11 a.m. on the RO's petition to enforce his recommendations regarding upgrading the DC’s IT platform and business practices.

Below is the Court Transcript of that hearing.

Carpenters declare strike against Cement League

The New York City District Council of Carpenters went on strike yesterday Wednesday against The Cement League, a building trades employers association.

The two sides have been bargaining for 30 months, but have been unable to come to an agreement, according to the union. "The Cement League is demanding 20% wage reductions in all outer borough construction jobs," while workers have not seen a raise in four years, Stephen McInnis, executive secretary treasurer of the Council, said in a statement.

The Cement League employs more than 500 carpenter members of the union, which represents more than 25,000 skilled carpenters, millwrights, dock builders, cabinetmakers, timbermen and floor coverers, said the Council.

The Cement League did not respond to a request for comment.

Who are the The Cement League

Carpenters across New York City are fighting back against a little known but powerful group of concrete contractors known as The Cement League. The Cement League of New York dominates the Concrete Industry in New York City. Their ambiguous website shares little information about who they are or what they do.

The Carpenters working on New York’s hi-rise hotels and apartment buildings have sacrificed, year after year, in all weather, working without a raise since June of 2010 while real estate prices have skyrocketed.

Each week we read another article of record setting prices for apartments and penthouses while The Cement League seeks to drive down wages and benefits for Carpenters building wealth. The New York Real Estate Industry and its dubious partners in The Cement League have taken greed to a new level. The Cement League and its member contractors are determined to wipe out middle class New Yorkers.

While all other Contractor Associations in New York City’s vast Construction Industry have negotiated fair contracts for their workforce, one organization, The Cement League has moved to betray & undermine their employees  in a greedy stab for more money.

New York City: Carpenters Strike at World Trade Center

NEW YORK—Carpenters lined up around the World Trade Center construction site at 7 a.m. on Oct. 2 to support colleagues that could be facing a pay cut who work on the underground transportation hub.

Negotiations between the Cement League and transportation hub workers broke down yesterday, but another meeting is scheduled for today at 2:30 p.m.

Jeremy Milin, a business agent for New York City District Council of Carpenters, said the carpenters have worked for the last two years without a new contract.

“They [The Cement League] want workers to take a 20 percent pay cut,” Milin said.

John Brunetti from the Cement League said the breakdown in negotiations Tuesday was over a 20 percent reduction in wages for carpenters in the outer boroughs, and not the workers at the transportation hub at the World Trade Center site.

According to Milin, the Vehicular Security Center parking garage across the street was paying their carpenters the normal rate.

“The company has no problem paying our guys what they are worth,” Milin said.

Only at the transportation hub were there problems, according to the workers.

The workers could be back at work tomorrow if negotiations today are successful.

About 200 workers lined up in three locations around the World Trade Center at 9 a.m. Most of them do not work on the transportation hub, but wanted to show their support for their colleagues.

John Arcese, who works on the Cortlandt Street subway station, and is a member of Local 157, said he wanted to support his brothers.

“We want the prevailing wages, because they are gypping them out of wages,” Arcese said.

Cement League Strike Update

At this time The District Council and the Cement League have failed to reach an agreement. The District Council in accordance with the strike vote authorized by the Delegate Body is on strike against Cement League contractors on non-PLA jobs. The position and past practice of the New York City Building and Construction Trades Council is that other trades will NOT honor economic picket lines of another Trade. In the unlikely scenario that contractors attempt to replace union trades people with non-union workers this position will be revisited.

This is especially important on Project Labor Agreements or PLA jobs. While we recognize individual member’s rights in regards to picket lines, the District Council is contractually bound by a “no-strike” provision on these projects. If the District Council was found to be in violation of this provision we would be subject to potentially catastrophic damages in court or through arbitration. Therefore, while we recognize individual members have a right not to cross a picket line the District Council is legally obligated to keep these jobs running without interruption.

It is our intention to conclude our negotiations as quickly as possible. Please refer to our website nycdistrictcouncil.com for continuing updates and a list of PLA jobs with “no strike” provisions.