Congratulations Union America! You've finally won the battle for workers rights! And all it cost us along the way was:

1. Outsourcing of manufacturing to third world countries due to the prohibitive costs involved in paying union wages necessary in the U.S. Then blaming the problem on 'greedy corporations', when in fact it was the 'greedy unions' who priced themselves out of the market.

2. A record level of government regulation in every facet of business, further raising costs and hindering our ability to compete in foreign markets.

3. Billions of dollars donated to leftist political parties and PAC's who in turn raised taxes on businesses in order to pay for bloated social programs, further fucking our economy and tying up assets in a government black hole rather than being reinvested.

The takeover was easy for Douggy Mac: divide and conquer. The est's were coached and groomed as to how it was going to be for them if they played along. P O W E R was the name of the game and money was the motivation. For the last twenty years the working man has been getting fucked with no reach around, and if you want to a member of this club, you are supposed to learn to keep your mouth shut and enjoy it. In a perfect world you would just name a date for a "carpenters holiday" where we could all meet at the same place on the same day and vote on what/who/how much and it would be done. But as a whole we can't decide on one single thing except we want change.

the numbers reflect how bad it is;
less then 15% of our members (journeyman) are working 12 months out of the year, and they really could care less about those that are not. Almost all of the members hired in the last twenty months have been 50% to 75% apprentices. Once you lose your medical benny's, it is damn near impossible to work enough hours to get them back, ( since 2007). The only members getting rich are (were) Terry[s] family ( or whatever clever name you want to call those fucking crooks) and the hierarchy of the the est's throughout the land through Douggy macs pyramid scheme.
You would think that collectively a bunch of grown men would come together and vote this shit down, and get it straightened out. But as a whole we are acting like sheep being led to slaughter and too stupid/weak to do anything about it. The DOL is letting it happen, NLRB is letting it happen, the members have let it happen, and all of us carpenter's can just is whine like little babies instead of doing anything about it.
You can pay your dues, wait for change, and see where that will take you over the next few years, of let your voice be heard. For the cost of a postage stamp a sheet of paper ind a little ink, you could DOCUMENT how you want change brought about by putting your thoughts down on paper and sending them to your respective state's attorney general, the Department of labor,the department of (IN)justice, or me.
I would love to have the mailing list of every member of the carpenter's union, in order to COLLECTIVLY ACHIEVE A VOTE on one single item, the right to vote for our leadership.

Doug - the item I just posted..where all the %26 things are shown are supposed to be the "%26" (and) symbol. Why it did this is beyond me as I am not an IT guy, not my forte %26 not how I typed it in, less my normal amount of typos, so I don;pt know if you can go in %26 correct it. I'd do it but don't know how, plus don't have access.

Great Commentary! Please go to the NLRB site, click on Board Decisions, where you see tab 355, hit this, click on 354 %26 scroll down to case no. 122...UBC Local 43 (McDowell Bldg. %26 Fndn) and Kevin Lebovitz...This is a 16-page decision in CT by the NLRB Board. Goug, you'll only need to read through the top of page 2 for the cruxt of the decision which is that the UBC Constitution %26 Bylaws are facially unlawful, as is the Mobility Clause.

The Mobility Clause is actually an Illegal Right to Work (RTW) law renamed at the behest of Ron Tutor %26 Doug McCarron to make it sound more family friendly %26 appealing to UBC members. What it does on ots face is allow travelers, and by that I mean the UBC International %26 the 39 EST's to sign up %26 Employ Illegal Aliens which weakens %26 dissipates Local Members ability to work %26 put food on the Table %26 achive their yearly %26 full allotment of Pension %26 Annuity credits for Retirement.

This is done in Collusion with the Employers, as the deal goes, they employ the Illegals for CASH %26 the Contractors avoid paying the Bennie Package, hence the contractors save %26 subsequent to that the corrupt BA's %26 Organizers hit up the illegal aliens for what amounts to a C-Note ($100) per week to stay on the job. This is done in conjunction with corrupt Stewards. Thiis is point one.

Point 2 - The NLRA Section 7 rights specifically provide that we are to elect representatives of our own choosing...therefore, given your 30-day deadline to act, you guys in KC need to file NLRB charges on this issue ASAP.

Point 3 - ALJ decisions, although precedent do not become Federal Law until affirmed by the NLRB Board in DC.

pOINT 4 - McCarrons edict for dissolving the KC Regional Council is ilegal under the NLRB case cited above, as it was affimed by the Board. The recent decision in New Process Steel, dated 6-17-10 by the US Supreme Court recently overruled the NLRB Board Quorum of 2 vs. 3 sitting Board Members, negating some 600 cases tried over 27-months. However, I have applied for the UBC LoCAL 43 Case to be added to the list of 94 others to be re-heard %26 re-decided by the proper Board Quorum of 3-5 Board Members. This process will grind on slowly, but they will reach the same conclusion and again affirm the ALJ's decision %26 it shall then become Federal LABOR law.

In the interim, you should file NLRB charges against McCarron predicated upon the fact the the UBC Constitution is facially unlawful %26 the fact that McCarrons's decree to KC Regional Council, dissolving your Locals etc is also facially unlawful (Charge 1). Charge 2 on said account would be the fact that it is also an Unlawful Unilateral Change to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). McCarron %26 his allged team of cronies %26 crooks have no such authority under the NLRA, w/o first re-opening %26 re-negotiating al lContract Terms %26 Conditions of Employment for wages, benefits, travel conditions etc. Think of it, if he can do this, he can also Unilaterally (in theory) chnage %26 reduce all of your wages %26 benefits...at least so he thinks///more aptly that he hopes %26 prays that you guys do not mount a challenge to his unfounded Authority. You have to challenege this at the NLRB %26 via written complaint to ERISA %26 EBSA with copies fowarded to the Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Justice %26 the US Attorney General for Obama. You have to get all of the Fed's involved simultaneously %26 you have to ask for Criminal Investigations for Racketeering to be filed.

Any such complaint should have at least 2-signatures for protected/concerted activity status through the NLRB to avoid having it tossed (they can legally do this if just one person files a complaint, even with legitmate/provable allagations). Better to have 100 guys sign on - just do it quickly!

I am a 24 year Union member w/ NERCC. McCarron, through our former EST Harrington, filed a bogus lawsuit through called Harrington v. Herman %26 that was subsequently amended to Clintons new Secretary of Labor %26 became known as Harrington v. Chao. These chain of cases was what Doug %26 crew used to eliminate the right to vote, not just in Boston, but Nationally.

Myself %26 others here have a dozen charges with the NLRB to file, 2 in, 10+- to go after 9-months of legal research nearly 24/7. The last one we file shall be the right to Vote, Harrington v. Chao issue (it'll be re-named, once in), however, Legal Matters rquire Reverse Engineering from the Supreme Court backwards to the Appellate Courts, the State Supreme Court %26 then finally the Local District Courts. This is the only way you win them...you have to know all the answers before the test, albeit, the test in Court. Anything left out of the original compalints at the local District Court levels cannot be the subject of any Appeal issue, only matters of law such as egregious errors by the judge etc are reviewable - hence, the Reverse Engineering. Since this is the most difficult case, we leave the best for last %26 get the easy ones out of the way first.

We've reviewed 2000 cases at varying levels, the research is the hardest part, writing the briefs is then fairly easy. After that, it is a simple matter of complying with the State %26 Federal Rules of Civil Procedure %26 keeping up with the motions to dismiss %26 other legal tricks. Precedents do not lie, nor do Landmark Decisions by the NLRB Board, Appellate Courts or the Supreme Ct.

McCarrons era of Totalitarian Rule will soon come to an end, albeit through the Courts vs. UBC fixed Elections at the 5-year National Convention. He'll get his soon enough ala Ken Lay of Enron fame, as will his cohorts. Be Patient %26 diligent %26 share this info with all other large reional councils with websites similar to yours.

We have to start acting nationally to wake the men up %26 get them to act Collectively to take this Union back - little by little, piece by piece.

Overturning Harrington v. Chao is the ultimate case %26 there are many NLRB violations within this decision as well as multiple Constitutional Issues which are novel and which shall be heard on certiotari, but this is a 3-7 year process. Doing ot Pro-se while working full time makes it that much more diffucult, but is's ver much doable %26 easy to prove. I intend to enumerate %26 prove multiple novel issues which are ripe to be heard by the Sup. Ct. %26 If me %26 the boys here hit a point where it becomes too dificult, we shall seek outside counsel once the base case has been made %26 they'll line up to take the case free of charge/pro-bono simply for the chance to appear at the Sup Ct. Doing so wil make an Attorneys career for the rest of their lives %26 it's like the Super Bowl to them.

Collectively, we need to overwhelm the NLRB with the same type cases in 10 Regions simultaneously, the same with ERISA ,EBSA etc %26 they will act. We have a Labor friendly NLRB Board %26 President in place, so we need to strike while the irons hot.

File the charges!

We're monitoring your situation. Stay strong brothers, stay strong.

Doug, your rants show your stupidity. Enough said.

A secret vote is being tabulated right now amongst the members nationwide, including names, address's, and phone numbers of all carpenter member's, to be sent to the DOL to notify that government agency as to the taxation without representation that is going on in OUR union by the EST, and to include the CHOICE of leadership by the locals, not the district council..
It's OUR union Terry, not your personal golden goose...

Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.
-- Yoda
Maybe someone should have heeded those words....

Looks like no one ever posts here any more, could it be because you slammed me for my email address?
Scabby is a nickname given to me by my brothers long ago after a wicked motorcycle accident. But since you don't know me, you ASSumed it had other meanings,and being true to your nature, decided to slander me, like you do any brother carpenter who doesn't agree with your lunacy. You had a position within the union once, and didn't produce. WHY? Only you know the answer to that one.
You should be more careful about what you say to people you don,t know.

Its been almost a year since there was a new post here.Thats good. All of my brothers are too busy working...

I moved from KC to Ohio in 02. I was a member of 1329. The problems were the same then as they are now. It will take a strong group of members to change things though. And I see that happening. We have the same good 'ole boy network out here in Ohio as you do in MO. And as far as Wal-Mart is concerned....I made it MY choice not to shop there. They are the biggest suppliers of Made in China products in the world. Everytime you spend money in Wal-Mart, Red China grows. Yeah, yeah...I know, K-Mart, Target, etc...they all sell Made in China too. They aren't the biggest....in...the...world! And as far as foreign cars/trucks. Ummm.....aren't all "U.S." vehicles made out of country?! I mean, their parts are made in Mexico or Japan. Isn't Toyota just as American as Ford? Union made is union made. Toyota is union made, right?! I can remember working off Holmes at the IBEW training center and my brother-in-law having to move his Mazda pick-up off their lot because they claimed it was a foreign truck. I laughed at their BA and popped the hood of my Ford truck to show him all the Mexican wording on my parts and he had a sticker on his MAZDA truck that said made in_______ with union pride!!! Keep shopping Wal-Mart and we'll for sure have NO industry here in 10 years. Keep buying vehicles with foreign parts and all U.S. auto industry suppliers will move south too. Are we a brotherhood, or are we a bunch of hippocrites who accuse our DC of sabotage and turn around and sabotage our own U.S. workers by funding Red China and Mexico?!

Do Millwrights only work for american car makers?

I saw you driving a HONDA CRV this week. How about you explaining to our Union Millwright Brothers how you are helping them get back into the car plants for the large jobs and change overs that we have been out on for the last couple of years, by driving a foreign car?
Concerned Millwright.

Isn't the largest Wal-Mart in the world being built locally by union labor?

I can admit my wrong doings. I’m not perfect nor have I ever claimed to be. What is important here is for our Union to remain strong and continue to grow for the future of our children and to keep the American middle class alive.

Maybe I started something I shouldn’t have. It wasn’t that I was questioning your dedication it was just that I was surprised that anyone would question one’s ability to do a job based on how they spell. It seemed so trivial when there are such serious issues at hand such as the Wal-Mart issue. What you said about Wal-Mart is the complete truth. Wal-Mart stands for everything that our union stands against. Everyone needs to be attending their union meetings regularly so that they may understand what is going on first hand. Information is knowledge, knowledge is power!

The Business agents have always gone out of their way for my husband and I’m sorry to hear that wasn’t always so in your case. From what we have seen they truly have the union at heart. I wish peace and prosperity for you and your family! Emily Post

I forgot, Emily Post I just wanted to say, I do appreciate what the working members of our organization do. We all organize everyday with our job skills and dedication. But while you accuse me of passing judgement, you to throw stones. I was always doing my part as well as the parts of others, even on my own time, or my family's time. When brothers beat down my door because they couldn't find work. Trying to help others to see how the changes that were taking place were for the better. Taking up the defense of KCDC members who were being berated behind their backs. Yeah I do know what these members do and FULLY appreciate their efforts. I know how much time they spend away from their families, and lives. I just now question the purity of those actions. It is my right as a human being in this world to know EXACTLY who is trying to do what to MY LIFE. Don't ever question my dedication or understanding ever. You don't know what I have seen or been through. I hope you can get past the English rant and have a nice day.

I stand in the middle of the road watching all of this transpire. When I did choose a side I was on the side of Terry and Travis. I wanted to be a part of the solution, and try to help others to understand the whole process of Yukons and target funds, and enormous salaries and people who, in my opinion have forgotten what it is to be a WORKING CARPENTER, everyday sweating or half freezing, but nonetheless trying to make a better tomorrow for the union and America. Don't you find it a little curious that WE PAY the salaries of people who TELL US how our union lives will be lived? It bothers me that I have very little say in what is going on with my union. I was on the local executive board, the volunteer organizing commitee, a delegate to the kcdc and I, as well as my wife and children were out there being a good union family, passing out pamphlets, striking non union contractors, and whatever we could do to help. When I was asked to go do a 3-day, I went. I did well. I wanted to help any way I could. My BA did something totally wrong and I called him on it and he basically told me so fuckin what. Why would I stick my neck out for an organization that allows that to happen. Why would I sell my soul and that of my family to the devil for an organization that wouldn't do the same back for me? Because that IS what it came down to. Do I think Doug is right... No not really. His total contempt for Terry and the kcdc leads me to believe him to be an inneffective leader with a chip on his shoulder. His actions are not pure. Do I think Terry is the man for the job...right now yes. He has the background and experience for the job, but I am curious about his motives at this point. I do think there are some strange things a going on. As far as myself calling the kettle black, I am always questioning myself and my motives. I try very hard not to pass judgement on anyone, and if I have done so, I apologize. My rant on English skills was meant to be satirical, and apparently came across more like a kick in the teeth. I can admit my wrongdoings, can you Emily Post? I watch both sides of the arguement because I don't think that there is a right or wrong side, just alot of upset people who would rather bitch about the other instead of sitting down and finding common ground, (which is an organizing tactic). Since I don't see that happening anytime soon I'll stand here in the middle and watch you all sling mud back and forth. Somehow it is people like me who always end up covered in shit. But if I would just choose a side eh?

Black Pot,

I’m glad you feel that way about Wal-Mart. I just have a few questions though. Which side of the road were you on? Were you on the side that spread rumors and lies? Were you on the side where a carpenter was cheering on the crowd with a mega-phone, when just a few months ago he was stabbing his brothers in the back by working for a union contractor during the day and a non-union contractor at night for $25/hr. cash? Were you on the side where the hatred of one man is so intense they would crucify him if given the chance? If you weren’t then I applaud your words about Wal-Mart. If you were, then shame on you! How dare you vilify a good man! How dare you stand and pass judgment. If you were, then you are the lowest form of rotten puke scum on the face of this planet only worthy of the scorn and contempt of your fellow man if you don’t walk into the organizer’s office tomorrow and volunteer to handbill your neighborhood Wal-Mart!

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Black Pot,

I’m glad you feel that way about Wal-Mart. I just have a few questions though. Which side of the road were you on? Were you on the side that spread rumors and lies? Were you on the side where a carpenter was cheering on the crowd with a mega-phone, when just a few months ago he was stabbing his brothers in the back by working for a union contractor during the day and a non-union contractor at night for $25/hr. cash? Were you on the side where the hatred of one man is so intense they would crucify him if given the chance? If you weren’t then I applaud your words about Wal-Mart. If you were, then shame on you! How dare you vilify a good man! How dare you stand and pass judgment. If you were, then you are the lowest form of rotten puke scum on the face of this planet only worthy of the scorn and contempt of your fellow man if you don’t walk into the organizer’s office tomorrow and volunteer to handbill your neighborhood Wal-Mart!

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Hey Pot, I won’t shop at Wal-Mart either! I find it interesting that your original rant was that of English skills and when it was pointed out to you that you fail to practice what you preach you moved on to another rant. You continue to misspell words which leads me to believe that you are quick to point out the faults of others without giving any consideration to your own actions. Why should anyone give weight to your words? Why is your original rant about English when it should have been something of importance such as shopping at Wal-Mart? You’ll never appreciate the work that the BA’s and Organizers do. Whether its English skills or wives shopping at Wal-Mart you’ll always find something to rant about. Maybe you should take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror and practice what you preach. Emily Post

So to all you carpenters' wives out there... how many of you still shop at WALMART????? Eh? Those of you who can answer honestly, please feel free. To you, (oh shit, I started with a preposition, and you are not supposed to do that,) who noticed my incorrectly spelled words, good job. Though I don't consider English a proper noun, I will capitolize it JUST FOR YOU. We speak American here anyway. So, how many of you still shop at Walmart? Come on I 've heard the one about how it's so inconvenient to drive 60 miles to another town to get something at the last minute. One of the largest union hating businesses out there. But you can sure boast about your husband bringing home the bacon and benefits. There are families that take those hard earned union negotiated wages and give 'em to Walmart so they can take that money and use it to fund their unrelenting destruction of AMERICA and any of any efforts to protect working families rights. How many of you? One, two, or hundreds. I would not be shocked if it were 10% of our membership. Hell, 44% vote REPUBLICAN. Why would you do that? Oh' wait I forgot, they also shop at Walmart, GOTTA PROTECT THE MONEY!!!!!!!!! So, whilst there are those of you who are correct about my spelling mistakes and the infinate worthlessness of that rant on this board, it really does matter where you shop, because that money pays for someone else to try and destroy the very thing you have come to expect from your husbands, and there will NOT BE A DAMN THING YOU CAN DO TO BITCH ABOUT IT BECAUSE JUST LIKE YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THE RANTS AND RIGHTS OF OTHER MEMBERS HERE, THEY COULD GIVE TWO SHITS ABOUT YOURS AFTER YOU FUNDED THEIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YOU. If you think I am making this up, I know of an organizer's wife who shops there, but that couldn't be true .

i lost all my hope for gay rights and getting our vote back. fuck it im quiting the union and going straight for a change.

Name Title Salary Benefits
%26 Other Total
Compensation
Terry Davis Secretary/treas $ 207,485 $ 6,817 $ 214,302
Keith Winn Business Agent $ 98,696 $ 4,564 $ 103,260
Gerald Shropshire Business Agent $ 96,983 $ 5,795 $ 102,778
Joe Hudson Organizer $ 96,983 $ 4,370 $ 101,353
Jack Earley Business Agent $ 96,983 $ 4,274 $ 101,257
Travis Davis Business Agent $ 98,696 $ 2,341 $ 101,037
Todd Vie Organizer $ 97,922 $ 2,762 $ 100,684
Virgil Kloth Business Agent $ 96,983 $ 3,648 $ 100,631
Brent Mallatt Organizer $ 96,983 $ 3,318 $ 100,301
Art Kessler Organizer $ 96,983 $ 3,092 $ 100,075
Danny Hyde Business Agent $ 96,983 $ 2,736 $ 99,719
Thomas Garrison Business Agent $ 96,983 $ 2,388 $ 99,371
James Johnson Business Agent $ 96,983 $ 2,367 $ 99,350
Ronnie Criss Organizer $ 96,983 $ 2,291 $ 99,274
Dale Verslues Organizer $ 96,983 $ 2,059 $ 99,042
Patrick Masten Dir Of Juris $ 96,983 $ 1,791 $ 98,774
Kim Gillihan Organizer $ 96,983 $ 1,763 $ 98,746
William Brunjes Business Agent $ 96,983 $ 1,757 $ 98,740
Frank Anderson Organizer $ 95,569 $ 2,991 $ 98,560
Lewis Seiter Business Agent $ 96,983 $ 1,156 $ 98,139
John Bayte Business Agent $ 96,983 $ 608 $ 97,591
Darren Steele Organizer $ 96,983 $ 374 $ 97,357
David Simmons, Jr Business Agent $ 96,983 $ 308 $ 97,291
Gary Trione Business Agent $ 76,651 $ 5,235 $ 81,886
Jeri Hynek Business Agent $ 76,651 $ 1,696 $ 78,347
Matt Flerage Business Agent $ 76,651 $ 1,139 $ 77,790
Paul Garrett Organizer $ 76,651 $ 927 $ 77,578
Dwane Shropshire Organizer $ 72,922 $ 500 $ 73,422
Saul Garcia Organizer $ 66,617 $ 2,730 $ 69,347
Stephen Schumacher Office Staff $ 44,302 $ 0 $ 44,302
Lucille Young Office Staff $ 37,665 $ 500 $ 38,165
Maurine Knopf Office Staff $ 37,805 $ 0 $ 37,805
Rose Mcmeins Office Staff $ 35,517 $ 700 $ 36,217
Kelly Sanders Office Staff $ 33,648 $ 0 $ 33,648
Amy Grisby Office Staff $ 32,181 $ 700 $ 32,881
Heather Moline Office Staff $ 31,165 $ 200 $ 31,365
John Masten Business Agent $ 26,858 $ 310 $ 27,168
David Wilson Organizer $ 22,540 $ 263 $ 22,803
Sandra Binkerd Office Staff $ 19,171 $ 0 $ 19,171
Dallas Darrow Business Agent $ 14,382 $ 50 $ 14,432
Kendra Parker Office Staff $ 12,794 $ 0 $ 12,794
Charles Nispel Banner Carrier $ 10,594 $ 0 $ 10,594
William Thomas President $ 0 $ 1,500 $ 1,500
Brent Sanders Vice-president $ 0 $ 900 $ 900
David Earley Trustee $ 0 $ 900 $ 900
John Contreras Trustee $ 0 $ 900 $ 900
Glenn Sage Trustee $ 0 $ 900 $ 900
Laird Mckay Conductor $ 0 $ 900 $ 900


Source: Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards LM filings
UnionFacts.com is committed to 100% accuracy. Please contact us with factual corrections %26 comments.

The President of the United States "butchers" the English language and was only a "C" student, and I bet that most Contractors and Dignitaries would take the time to talk to him. So what is the point?
It's obvious that speaking and spelling don't make or break you.
Let's get back to the issues at hand and pull thing together, before the Non-union sector takes advanage of the situation.

Thank you Emily Post for pointing out the pot calling the kettle black. I doubt that He/she made this intentional, they are no different than any of the others. I certainly would not refer to the BA's or Organizors this way or any one else for that matter. Some people have better English skills than others and that is just a fact of life, and this Web site is just being used to vent on both sides. I certainly was not an excellent English student and don't claim to be. But I certainly had other skills that earn me a great salary and I am smart enough to know where to go to get the rest of the help.
I work for a person who makes alot more than $100,000 a year and he can't spell worth a crap, that's why he has a Secretary and she has spellcheck. I doubt that contractors or dignataries would concern themselves with the likes of what is being said on here. And besides where does it even state that the BA's or Organizors are writing any thing here anyway, 90% of it is
anonymous.

thank God this dumb son of a bitch did not win! thank you to terry davis and the rest of the kcdc!

You may want to consider checking your own spelling before submitting it! This however, may have been your intention. First let me point out that you forgot to capitalize English as it is a proper noun. You also misspelled atrocious and possession.

Again I say, the general english skills of the brotherhood on this board are attrocious(that is a different way of saying poor). Maybe you could go back and check your work before you submit it. Some basics...."your" implies possesion of something. "You're" (though it sounds the same) means you are. "Their" again implies ownership. "They're" means they are and just to throw you off the scent "there" refers to a place. Maybe I shouldn't bitch about it, but seeing as how Yukons and 100,000 dollar salaries are required to make us look good to potential contractors and dignitaries, maybe we can work on our diction and spelling, eh? As far as I can tell, if some asshole in an Armani suit and a Yukon pulls up outside of my jobsite and can't speak or spell, I could give a shit what he's selling. If that's the best representation of our membership, I don't want it.

Doug, you are right "this is not over". it is going to take time to show the people of this council the truth to the lies and deceit that you have managed to get out there in the last week. Doug, Trust me when I say this to YOU, "IT IS NOT OVER". You made your comments today in the meeting saying that things were going well for this council and just Terry has to go. He is a part of a team that is what is making things happen for us! SO what is your true problem. You have soo much hatred you are willing to pit Brother against Brother and tear this organization apart at its very seem!!!?? Your a cancer to this organization. There is a cure.

Yes, I agree with this at least that way you will be correctly informed(if you can listen and understand what is being said)and come away with the true understanding of what is happening with your Pension, Heath %26 Welfare and all the other tough decisions that the Delegates have to make when they attend the District Council Meetings. You certainly will make our jobs easier if you are willing to attend your meetings instead of letting someone give you false information and twisted facts. As long as I have been a delegate I have never known when Terry Davis was not willing to come and explain the whys of the decisions that have to be made. Once you see the facts for yourself, these are usually reports that are put together by third parties for the carpenters, why would he jeprodise his job over putting out false information that could easily be checked.
You may not like him personally or agree with him all the time but he puts the facts out and has never tried to hide anything. He has always been open to questions and will answer them for the members as he did last Thurs at the Independence meeting.

Terry is passionate about what he does and he has always had the working men and women in mind when he makes decisions that affect them.

Doug I hope that you find a job and get back to work, no one wants to see a Brother not have insurance, but there is plenty of work out there if you are willing to do it.

Let's put this behind us now and work toward another good 4 years.

WAY TO GET THE BALL ROLLING. LETS JUST KEEP THIS UP. THE DELEGATS WILL GET THE MESSAGE IF WE CONTUIE TO HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE. ATTEND YOUR MEETINGS AND KEEP THE FIGHT ALIVE. THANKS DOUG FOR STANDING UP.

Sounds to me like to need to become more informed on how the Pension works. Talk to other retired carpenters and they will tell you that Back before Terry Davis took on the responsility of trying to shore up the Pension, the carpenters were able to vote and direct their monies, and that is why their was no money put in the Pension. I know because I am also the daughter of a Retired Carpenter and I don't know how many times my father has said if only we had don e what is being done now, think of what we could be drawing. The working carpenters that are currently still active will have better benefits because of the forsight of Terry Davis.
My suggestion to you is, stop listening to the crap that is being given out and get the facts. Ask older carpenters what they were willing to put in back in the day.

I would like to request a few of my own changes if we overthrow this tyrant.First Iwould like to have themed local and DC meetings.IE;Hairbands from the 80's,Your favorite gay movie star night.The Village People night at the DC.P.S. I got dibs on the midget biker dude.Sorry Jeff Shelton,you can be the indian.You get the jist of it.Futhermore trying to make it in a straight carpenter world is not easy on a bicurious midget.After work everyone goes home gets slicked up and you meet back at the pub to toss back a cold one and if your lucky a warm one too.But you still are unsure if the if the guys you work hand and hand W/everyday really like you or if they are just leading you on.So hopefully ther will be a handbook issued so we can communicate w/a visual stimuli.So after the 26th if you are so inclined wear blue or better yet green hard hat as an undeniable sighn of your true gayness.I will recipricate.Last but not least if all you homo's pretending to be union wives want to really role play then soon as they leave go screw your neighbor,cuase that's what she is doing while your at work.Peace out

Dear Wife of a Union Carpenter,
I too am a wife of a Union Carpenter who is a multi-generational Carpenter, a Veteran who has served his country in time of war and who still believes that in a democracy he should have the right to vote. I am also the daughter of a retired union member who luckily retired from the Carpet Layers Union when it was still under the jurisdiction of the Painters Union.
I say lucky because his pension and health benefits are 10 times better than my in-laws Carpenter benefits. My father-in-law has over 60 years in the Union and his pension doesn't cover the amount he has to pay for his insurance as a secondary coverage to medicare. My father had a local that stood up for him and supported him when an employer didn't pay his benefits. The Painter's stepped in and paid them so he didn't lose his medical coverage. When that happened to my husband, even though is was deducted from his check the DC only charged us $600-$680 dollars a month to cover us until we were eligible again. What wonderful support that was.
Yes, you were correct in saying that Terry Davis has a "Vision". His vision is one in which he has complete power over the Central Region and his heir "Crown Prince Travis" inherits his throne in KCDC and continues the family legacy of intimidation, shady dealings and graft.
I imagine Terry has had to make tough decisions over the year. How many friends to take to Las Vegas, what options he wanted on the Councils Yukons and how much of the $850 gas allowance should each BA kick back?
When my husband goes to work he knows that he needs to keep his mouth shut around people who support Terry Davis or he too could be setting at home like Doug Cornett has to do because Terry has put the word out not to hire him.

I am a wife of a union carpenter and feel the need to finally speak out. Doug, you tell half truth's, and even lies! My husband is a fouth generation carpenter and has seen many excellent changes over the years. Our son also just got into the carpenter program and Terri Davis is the reason he can do that.
You see Terri Davis has had a vison of what this carpenter's union could be, not just for today but for the future, for the next generation of people who want to work with their hands. Terri has had to make tough decisions over the years, but he has always had the best interest of the brotherhood in mind!
You come out of the woodwork and say some nasty personal things about his family, that makes you a good leader? You crossed the line jerkoff! You sound really desperate when you have to attack his family. See, Doug, most of us have families and it just makes us think how we would feel if you talked about our families!
You have an agenda and I know the people will see right through it! Please go back under the rock you crawled out from.
Terri Davis and the KC District Council has all our backs and I sleep better at night knowing that! When my husband goes to work everyday, he knows he makes a decent living, has great benefits and is going to be working in a safe(as possible), environment, thanks to the carpenter's union! Terri Davis keep up the good work you do! We support you 100%!!

I am behind your efforts to help out and regain the control we should have never lost in the first place. I'll be there on the 26th . You have my vote.!
Anthony Golden

i want to support doug but i dont know if he supports gay carpenters? let me know cuz i will stand behind you all the way brother.

Doug what happened to 4 out of 5 Davis's showing on the payroll of over $400,000.00 seems to me that you dont have all the facts and are going along by the seat of your pants without the whole story. Do you even know the whole story your self??

The problem is that you are not informed of the pension pay out. When any carpenter retires he or she will recieve a monthly pay out, every month until they are deceased then if you chose the option your spouse will continue to get an amount until they pass. IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS YOU AS A RETIREE WILL RECIEVE ALL THE MONEY THAT WAS PAID IN ON YOUR BEHALF OVER YOUR SERVICE WITH THE CARPENTERS. ALL OF IT. THEN YOU ARE LIVING ON THE INTEREST IT EARNED AND THE INTEREST EARNED FROM ALL THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS. SOUNDS BETTER THAN ANY SAVINGS ACCOUNT I KNOW OF!!!
GET INFORMED THE PENSION IS A FEDERALLY GUANTEED BENEFIT. FROM YESTERDAY BACK YOU BENEFITS CAN NOT, I REPEAT CAN NOT BE CUT. THATS A FEDERAL LAW!!!!AS A MEMBER STATED EARLIER ITS FROM HEAR FORWARD THE YOU HAVE TO REGULATE FOR THE DOWN MARKET AFTER 9/11. JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER PENSION THEY HAD TO TAKE CARE OF THE DOWN MARKET.

I’m a union wife as well! I do agree that our financial and medical situation has been greatly improved since my husband joined the union about 10 years ago. In fact, it’s amazing to me that more carpenters out there, in non-union shops, don’t outright demand that they become union as well. I sometimes wonder if it’s because they know how much corruption there is among the leadership.

While I am happy to have the medical insurance, I am not happy with what is happening to the pension. I don’t understand why my pension (from my employment) never decreases, but the union pension does. When my husband retires, we will struggle on what he will receive each month. It will be my pension that will keep us afloat even though he makes more than me and pays more into the pension. It’s appalling!

So, I guess what I’m saying is that I’m thinking longer term than the here-and-now.

God Bless!

Father you have no idea how the pension works! Pick up your information packet from wilson mcshane and read it. If we paid out at 16% our pension would go broke in no time flat. The Federal Goverment regulates pensions so we can only fund our pension up to 125%, after that we lose our tax liabitity for our contractors. All pensions are based on assumption rates ours being around 7.5% if we don't make the assumption than we have money liabilities(under the 100% funded) when Republicans destroyed our economy and the market took a big dive, so did our money in our pension we did not make the assumption rate, so we had to lower the pay out on our pension. Terry is not taking the money nor is he giving it away, you just got to keep the Pension solvent by regulating the payout. We are getting closer to our assumption rate this year so you watch our percentage rates will rise again.......... I'm just a delegate that likes to stay informed. I wish everybody would do the same and this website would not be here!!!

T

Terry Davis will lead us in a circle and tell us we're moving forward. If some of you wives are concerned about the future, consider what it would be like to receive ALL the money we pay into the pension. And it would be GREAT if we got a 16% payout on our pension, like Terry does, instead of less than 3%, like we do. Last April, as a carpenter, I got a 4.3% raise. Terry got over 10% Which percentage rate would you prefer for your family?

I am also a union carpenters wife, and damn
proud of him. I also feel a need to be heard. Both my husband and I come from a long line of good union members, active with the Brotherhood.

Doug,
It troubles me that you feel the need to
be such a "ALARMIST". Even I know alot of
what your a saying is not true. Your lies
will lead you nowhere. Terry Davis has lead
us well, and 08/26/06 he will continue doing that!!

1.Local 1635, 1635, 1635 what about the other locals, DOUG??

2. sounds like this cry baby, shit- startin’ bitch needs to get a life and a job

3. How exactly did he fund this without donations? I heard he hasn’t worked since may, unless it was non-union. Sounds like a liar to me.

I am a wife of a union carpenter. I felt the need to speak out due to the fact that my family's future could be at stake with this election. I have watched as my husband had went to work in below 20 degree temperatures as well as above 100 degree temperatures to provide for his family. Before he came into the union we had no health insurance, could not afford to own a home and we both worked two jobs to take care of our family. Since he has been working as a union carpenter under the leadership of Terry Davis, we have great health insurance, have a mortgage, and have two new vehicles. I have watched as his business agent worked tirelessely to find him a job as soon as his current project was finished. I speak for many wives out there that are concerened about the welfare of there families please do not elect someone that does not care about our families and our husbands.
Anonymous

An open letter to all carpenters, cabinetmakers, millwrights, lathers, framers, floorlayers, drywallers, and industrial workers of the Carpenters’ District Council of Kansas City %26 Vicinity:

We have a very serious matter before us. Who do we want to lead the district council for the next four years? We must be very clear in our choice. We must speak with one voice. A division in our ranks will act as a wedge the non-union contractors and the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) will exploit to further erode our standards and affect the lives of everyone who ply’s our trades. This matter is very serious indeed.

Before we make our decision, we owe it to our brothers and sisters to inform ourselves on the important issues we face at the heart of the matter. We cannot make our decision based on rhetoric, conjecture, hearsay, or emotion. We must make our decision based on fact. We must decide what is best for us, our wives (or husbands), our children and our brothers and sisters. To do that we must understand where we have been, where we are and where we want to go. It is my sincere hope that we take this responsibility we all have as members seriously. This letter is lengthy, but its length is necessary if we are to fully understand the decision with which we are faced.

Let’s look at our past. Our union began 125 years ago as an organizing union. We were an army of organizers, every member new our purpose and every member new our strength comes from numbers. Carpenter-to-Carpenter is how we organized, and our numbers grew. Over time things began to change. Organizers became reps. and focused more on servicing members and negotiating contracts than increasing our numbers through organizing. Despite this, with the construction boom of World War II, our numbers continued to grow. By the 50’s and 60’s our market share had reached as high as 90% in many areas. Our membership was at an all time high of about 840,000. Things began to change again. We became complacent. Membership became a business deal; we brought members in without organizing. Many of our new members had no ownership in our union. Many didn’t understand unionism or believe in it. We were shutting jobs down over jurisdictional disputes with other trades. Construction end users, fed up with shut-downs, work stoppages, and what they saw as runaway wages, formed the Business Roundtable. They went to our contractors and asked them to form non-union companies to add competition back into the market place. Our contractors told them, wait, you don’t understand, these men are skilled craftsmen, we need them to complete these projects, let us go to the unions and ask for some relief. Our contractors came to us and asked us for some relief, and guess what we told them. We told them to go pound sand, try to build it without us. What did they do? They listened to their customers and formed non-union companies. They offered our members similar pay, similar benefits, and promised things without the union would be the same only without the dues. And our members left us in droves. Without our union, contractors quickly learned they could gain a competitive edge by cutting wages and benefits, and we continued to lose market share. Over the next 20 or so years, our membership was nearly cut in half. Construction markets changed as well, our once local contractors competing for ever tighter margins were forced to go regional in search of new opportunities, yet we still operated as 2,000 or so locals with different contracts and work rules, again hampering our contractors’ ability to compete in these regional markets. Our contractors left us in droves as well. By 1994 our membership dropped to about 460,000. The system was broken, and that was very evident from our declining membership. In 1995 we elected Doug McCarron as our new General President. He and his team believed the only way to stop the decline and revitalize our brotherhood was to make significant changes to the structure of our brotherhood. To return to our roots of organizing Carpenter-to Carpenter, to add accountability to our membership from our Ba’s and organizers, and to operate as regional councils to reflect our regional construction markets. For the last eleven years these changes have been in place.

“The way I see it, being a good council delegate requires real leadership. It’s not enough to be a conduit of information, you have to understand and believe in the vision of our brotherhood. You have to be able to explain that vision to someone else and convince him or her believe in it too. Real leadership requires doing the right thing, even when it’s hard, and it means convincing others to do the right thing too.” Douglas J. McCarron

Many members do not understand the restructuring of our brotherhood or why it was undeniably necessary. Our General President worked in the field, became a steward, and was elected Business agent. What he saw turned his stomach. Business agents, once elected, were accountable to no one. They did whatever they wanted for 2 ½ years. Six months before elections, they would show up on jobs campaigning. Many members complained they would only see the Ba around election time. One Ba even told him “You just don’t understand how this works, I take care of the members who always vote, I take care of the retirees and the apprentices. They couldn’t get me out of hear with a keg of dynamite.” If a Ba didn’t do his job in the old days, it took 3 years to run him off. Now Ba’s and organizers are hired and can be fired if they don’t do their job. But how do they get hired? Doug McCarron realized that their needed to be a way to safeguard the hiring process against the good ’ole boy system. That’s why they instituted the 3-day organizer evaluation process. The international sends organizers and agents into an area who have no knowledge of the people or politics in that area to evaluate candidates based on their experience as seasoned agents and organizers to get an unbiased evaluation. The EST can only hire those organizers who score well, thus ensuring the local area gets the best man for the job.

Other members may not understand why we don’t “vote the membership” on contracts. The answer is simple. Contractors use that against the membership. Many contractors, even good contractors, find the temptation so great to pressure members working for them to ratify a contract using fear, and possible lay-offs to scare members into accepting something less. Look at it this way, for years the Ironworkers’ raises outpaced ours. Why? The Ironworkers gave Paul Jones (their Business Manager(EST)) the ability to negotiate the best contract for their members. He could look the contractor in the eye and say Yes or No. It’s worked very well for us in Kansas City, since the delegates voted to give Terry Davis the authority to negotiate our contracts; we have received $17.90/hr. over the last three contracts over 10 years. Do we really want to change that? We are much better off NOT voting on the contract! These thoughts may not be popular, but think about it.

Issues specific to our council must also be weighed in our decision. There are a number of issues that seem to weigh heavy on the minds of our members. Dues check-off is one, however misunderstood. There was a time in our council’s not too distant past when we borrowed money from the International just to stay afloat. During that time Business agents worked without pay, because there was no money to pay them. Yet, they still showed up to work. Terry Davis is one of those agents who worked for no pay. There was no money to pay banner carriers, no money to buy handbills, no money to pay our attorneys, and no money for anything else for that matter. Dues check-off was the only answer to the problem. Dues check-off is the fairest way to raise money for the council. The working members of our council pay the bills. Bills that include Terry’s salary, the salaries of every business agent and organizer, the Yukons, the secretaries salaries, the light bill, the office equipment, maintenance for the council building, postage, and a great number of other expenses that it takes to run our council. What amount of our money is fair to fund our council? When the dues check-off was started the decision was made to set it as a percentage of our wages. As the cost of living increases for our members, so does the cost of running our council, and as we earn raises to cover the increases in our cost of living, a set percentage of our raises also go to cover the added “cost of running our council”. Not a very popular fact of life, but a fact of life nonetheless.

Another issue specific to our council is providing Yukons for the agents and organizers. Once again, there seems to be confusion. The Yukons are very nice vehicles, but providing them is still cheaper than paying mileage for the agents and organizers to drive their own vehicles. The math is very simple to do. The council paid roughly $34,000 fleet price per Yukon, and traded them in for about $22,000. A total cost to the council for roughly $12,000 over a two year period per vehicle. Even a very conservative mileage estimate of 45,000 miles per vehicle breaks down to: $12,000 divided by 45,000 miles equals about 26 cents a mile. While the going rate for mileage at the time was 36 cents a mile. By the time you factor in insurance, oil changes and maintenance, the council still saves nearly 10 cents a mile. What would you rather see the agents and organizers drive, an old beater pick-up truck? Boy that will send everyone a very clear message about our brotherhood!

Finally the last local issue not-so-specific to our council is nepotism. I spoke with a member on the job today as a matter-of-fact whose son also works for the same contractor. He told me he got his son a job. “But all I did was get his foot in the door, he’s going to have to keep his job by earning it”, he said. This brother also happened to be a foreman. Is what this brother did wrong? I don’t think so. His son has been around it all his life, and is a pretty fair carpenter. Many of our fellow members feel the same way. Would it be fair to his son to not hire him because of who his dad is? Personally, the brother should be judged by his ability, not his family.

Brothers and sisters, don’t rely on popular rhetoric, get informed, call your delegates and thank them for the last 14 years.

Doug,

It seems that you and your people like quoting things, WHY NOT TRY THE TRUTH?? (that would be something new and different coming from you)

Mr. Cornett, I would like to take a moment to tell you ahead of time, that your efforts here, and in the field will be appreciated by many, and not by others. Hell, there will be some who could give a shit either way. The fact of the matter is ,many believe you will most likely lose this election as will any and all other candidates. Terry, having been the EST for as long as I have been a member of the UBC, isn't going to take a chance on losing this election, because there is a legacy to pass on to Travis. Terry Davis started planning this a long time ago and started putting the pieces in place then. Baby steps. Not real obvious. And you could have gone about the whole thing in better, more tactful ways. But if you look at the whole picture and break it down into it's parts, it is all there. I could tell you my own tale of woe with my local BA and the KCDC, but who fuckin' cares, eh? It's done and over. Most people just want to work their eight and go home. For a long time I wanted to know it all, BE involved, BE a GOOD UNION CITIZEN, but not anymore. It is a loss for myself and the KCDC. Now I just want to work MY eight and go home. Travis Davis may say the truth is only a phone call away, but who's truth is it? How much of the truth do we get. Isn't that up to the person telling the truth and their own perception of it? That is what it all boils down to in the end, PERCEPTION. You perceive, with good reason, that the KCDC is out to protect their own jobs and those who support their perceptions. I perceive something along those lines, but it is my perception. Throughout much of my situation, I was very angry and wanted nothing more than some support and retribution, but I don't think that I would have been satisfied with that had it been given to me. What I do know is the whole truth is not being told for political reasons and I don't agree with the inner workings of the KCDC and the UBC. That does not mean they're wrong. Maybe someday telling the truth and just being who you are will carry more weight, but that time is not now. In the mean time keep doing what you're doing. Find your truth and tell it to all who will listen. Fight for a better tomorrow, and maybe someday those who have the power will hold it for reasons other than personal and political gain. Just tell it like it is. I don't understand why that is so hard to do. What are you afraid of?
Travis Davis, a question for you. Does it bother you, brother, that you are riding you father's coat tails to the top? It would keep me up at night. The real question is, if you can't be totally honest with us, can you be totally honest with yourself? Sweet dreams Brother.

Statement of Mr. William B. Rugh l

Before the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations
Committee on Education and the Workforce

May 4, 1998



1 Redaction Notice: To protect the identities of any individuals referred to in this statement wherein allegations are made, the names are redacted from the oral statement of the witness. The names will be held in confidence by the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations, Committee on Education and the Workforce, for purposes of its ongoing investigation.



Thank you Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee for giving us this opportunity to be heard. I am a 26 year member of Carpenters Local #845, part of the Philadelphia Regional Council. As committee chairman I am here to represent the Philadelphia Carpenters For Democracy. Other groups such as ours have been started all over the United States and Canada.

Few people know of the impact that Carpenters have had on the history of our country and the history of the Labor movement.

From the Ships carpenters and caulkers that threw tea from a boat in Boston, to The Philadelphia group of carpenters that offered their meeting hall to the first congress when they were refused use of the State Capitol in 1774.

They met there again in 1788 where the Constitution of the United States was drawn up.

The first authenticated organization in the Building Trades was that of the house carpenters of Philadelphia in 1724.

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America has been at the center of the American Labor movement for the past 120 years. Both the American Federation of Labor (now the AFL-CIO) and the Carpenters date their beginnings to 1881. Peter J. McGuire, founder of the Carpenters and it's leader for two decades, was the major collaborator in forming the Federation.

We are not here to protest against our local unions. We are not here to protest against our District Councils. We are here to protest the hostile takeover of an international union from it's members.

This takeover was done by power and money hungry politician so masquerading as "Union Brothers".

The 500,ooo plus members of the United brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners were stripped of their voting and representation rights that we have had since it's beginning in "1881".

We no longer have a say or vote on the following issues;

1) We no longer vote for the Business Agents that represent us every day.

2) We no longer vote on the Secretary Treasurer's and Presidents of our Councils that guide our Business agents and organizers.

3) We no longer vote on By-laws that govern our Union.

4) We no longer vote on negotiated contracts for our wages and fringe benefits.

5) We no longer vote on any dues or assessment increases.

How can one man in Washington, who makes more $$$ than the President of the United States, decide what is best for members that struggle to work 10 months a year to better provide for their families, and their futures.

We are forced to accept this plan introduced by current U.B.C. president Doug McCarron. He calls this new "PLAN" a representative democracy. With this system we are now represented by delegates instead of making the choices ourselves. A system where 1/3rd of the delegates are appointed.

In Philadelphia we have approx. 10,ooo members. They are represented by 60 delegates. Out of these 60 delegates, 20 are appointed and another 8 are on the Council payroll. That makes it 28 out of 60 that draw their paychecks from the council.

This, system goes from the Local level, to the Council level, to the District level, and to the National level.

The right of a union members vote is a check-valve to insure that Business Reps and Council Leaders Work for the best interests of the members that pay their salaries. These leaders are no longer accountable to the general membership. They are only accountable to the person that appoints them and signs their paycheck!!!

This gives no accountability to the membership!!!

Instead of having autonomous locals and District Councils, throughout the country, some whose charters date back to the 1800's, this plan has created small Kingdoms. Again with no accountability to the membership!!

This gives absolute power to the Executive Secretary Treasurer of a Regional Council that is first appointed by Doug McCarron and then is elected by the delegates of that Council. 1/3 of these delegates is appointed by that Secretary Treasurer.

Isn't there a saying that goes "Absolute Power Corrupts "------------ "Absolutely !!!"

As part of the restructuring our work dues were doubled without a rank and vote. This was standard procedure throughout the country.

In Philadelphia our work dues were raised from 1-1/2 % to 3 % of our gross wages, and we did not have a say in the matter.

Are we concerned about where our dues money is going?

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

Where do we turn for help?



With-in our own organization there were petitions drawn up and forwarded to the International. In Oregon 2500 signatures were collected, but were denied by our General E-Board. In Detroit, 1200 were collected, again denied. In Philadelphia 1100 were collected, denied. As you can see this are not a few disgruntled workers.



THE LABOR DEPARTMENT

The Labor Department tells us that it is illegal to raise dues without a referendum vote. They tell us it is illegal to have appointed delegates vote on a higher office, yet it is happening all over the country. After receiving complaints and protests from all across the United States, they still do nothing. Why isn't the Department of Labor doing their job. Does Doug McCarron have more political influence than he should?

THE LAWMAKERS

We began to make appointments to see our local congressmen, some of whom sit on this committee. Even though this whole thing is obviously wrong, we got little more than lip service. At least with this lack of representation we can still vote on their performance.

No more in the Carpenters Union.

The U.B.C. international was formed to better serve the members across the country. It wasn't formed to be a corporation with personal financial goals. It wasn't formed to make bad real estate investments as it did in the late 1980's, when our Gen. President, and Gen. Executive Board were involved in a real estate scandal. This amounted to a 125 million dollars of hard working members’ dues money.

The international was not formed to threaten, intimidate and take away the autonomy of Local Unions and Councils. They are there to work for the members that pay their salaries, in jurisdictional disputes, and to lobby for better work related legislation.

In 1981 our International came into the

Philadelphia District Council to change the voting structures for our agents and Council Leaders. They conducted 3 days of hearings where our members were given the opportunity to come in and testify about the past voting structure. After the hearings were completed, and the members’ voices were heard, they made a change for the better. It was a necessary improvement toward more Democratic rights for our members.

This is how an International represents the members!!!!

Part of McCarron’s reorganization plan, he calls "streamlining". His definition of streamlining was to remove all opposition first, and then to consolidate and take away the members voting rights.

An example of his consolidation is the New England Regional Council.

All 6 New England states are now serviced by one Regional Council located in Boston. Some members have to travel several hundred miles one way just to attend a meeting. The shortcomings of this streamlining puts a hardship on the thousands of members in the New England region, plus a loss of representation.

When the Carpenters of Philadelphia offered their hall to the first Congress, it was in protest over this same system " Taxation" without "Representation". You ask; How was this takeover done????

It was done with bribes, intimidation, high priced lawyers, and legal loopholes.

The bribes came in the way of substantial pay raises for Council and Local leaders, to offer no resistance. Their choices were to be fired, have their Locals disbanded and their charters pulled. Our gen. President calls this restructuring.

Another example of the bribes are in bought convention delegates, and financing the expenses of others.

Along with threats of "blackballing" and never working again, intimidation tactics were enforced by firing Business agents, local officers, Sec. -Treasurers, trustees, and council delegates. This was also done in the way of lawsuits and legal action against individual members, Local Unions, and District Councils.

In other words, members were paying the legal fees of high priced lawyers to strip them of their rights as Union members.

Don't these factors add up to " Labor Racketeering?????

WE THINK SO !!!!!

Our organization puts out a publication, that every member receives called " Carpenter " magazine. Peter J. McGuire started this newsletter to keep members informed of what was happening around the country.

Recently our General Office has been using this publication as a propaganda vehicle. Articles in the Carpenter" have quotes and interviews from paid officials and cronies of the General Office. Painting a false picture for the membership.

In the March -April "97" issue, on the rear inside cover there was an ad for " The First Trade Union Bank" of Boston. After some investigating it was discovered that our General Secretary, Andris J. Silins is the chairman of this bank.

Isn't this a conflict of interest?

WE THINK IT IS!!!!!

In the March - April "98" edition our General President announced that he was elected to the board of Perini Corp., a multi-million dollar national construction Co. The head of an International Labor Union being on the board of an International construction co.

Isn't this a conflict of interest?



WE THINK IT IS!!!!



In Closing;

This is a quote from someone that had a lot to do with the history of our country;



"Give all power to the many, and they will oppress the few.

Give all power to the few and they will oppress the many.

Both, therefore ought to have the power that each may defend itself against-the other."

Alexander Hamilton

A psychologist friend of mine and myself were discussing this situation. He pointed out to me that if you don't get what you want, then playing the ultimate suffering victim is your best position.

People who don't know a lot about the situation or don't take the time to research the situation will give you sympathy and tend to believe you expecially if you are battling against some position of authority. Many times people in these situations resort to extreme means to gain attention and hopefully gain one's sympathy and suport.

Take for example: people who actually make their children sick to gain the sympathy and support of others. Or a recent example was the gal who said she was having 6 babies and later it was determined that she wasn't even pregnant.

I guess the point of all this is that you will truly look like a fool in the worst way when the dust settles on this deal. You do an excellent job of playing the victim. I truly believe your personal hatred for Mr. Davis will put you in the same situation as the little boy who cried wolf too many times. You have an audience now but in the future you will be considered the town fool by many.

In most cases the majority does rule. Unfortunately you have chosen to always support the minority position even when there may have been better approaches to effect the change that you desire.

Unfortunately you have been blinded by your hatred for Terry and have applied all your efforts toward his removal.

My only other comment is to ask you this. If you had applied all your devotion and energy to this situation in a positive manner what might you have accompolished???????