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From the October 2005 issue of the $100 Plus Club News #96
At the Carpenters Union Convention in Las Vegas
By Alan Wasdahl
Alan Wasdahl was an elected delegate to the Carpenters Convention. In what follows he reports on his experience at the recent Las Vegas Convention. Note: Opinions expressed in the $100 Plus Club News are solely those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Association for Union Democracy.
Prior to the Convention I was approached by one of
the paid staff from my local union and asked if I would like to make a
financial contribution to the re-election campaign of the McCarron slate.
I was shown a letter from Doug McCarron asking for the support of this
individual in recruiting the support of others in my area. One has to
assume that this kind of recruiting was being done throughout the organization.
I asked how much he had to kick in - being paid staff -- and I was told
that he had made a $100 contribution. I hesitated for a moment, and was
then told that all of the other delegates from my local union were already
on board. I declined his offer, stating that I felt an obligation to hear
from all of the candidates -- before making my decision.
At the convention, numerous reports from different parts of the country
began to surface indicating that the $100 level of contribution for staff
members was the apparent standard or "expected" campaign donation.
Imagine being on the union payroll as either a Business Representative or Organizer, and then being approached by your Boss and asked for a financial contribution? Would this make you feel a little uneasy?
Can you imagine anyone on the payroll not having the common sense to make a "voluntary" campaign contribution for their Boss's re-election campaign? Would such a contribution be by definition -- a good career choice decision?
Listed on "The McCarron Team" campaign literature appears roughly 2,500 names. If the going "contribution" rate was $100 for each name, this would represent political campaign funds of $250,000 going towards their re-election efforts.
Carpenter Union District Councils throughout the land are run by Administrative Assistants who report directly to the General President, Doug McCarron. These Administrators have the authority to hire and fire union Business Representatives and Organizers. Do you believe that if anyone declined to make such a contribution that they would still have their job next month? Maybe yes, maybe no -- after all, I'm just asking the question. What do you think? All I know, is that the names of every paid staff person from my area are on the list.
Then, on the day of nominations, campaign shirts for the "McCarron Team" were given to delegates and guests as they entered the convention hall. The shirts were bright orange in color. As I entered onto the convention floor, there was a sea of orange. I'd estimate that a good 70% of the crowd was wearing these shirts. While entering the convention hall, I bumped into a few delegates-- these were working carpenters who were walking against the flow of people and heading back towards the lobby. When I asked them where they were going, they leaned in towards me, and softly said, "We were told by someone on staff that we had better get some orange shirts and to put them on." And yet, another level of commitment -- a public display of one's (political) affection.
Based strictly upon a carpenter's own achievements and character - without an endorsement of the powers that be - how can any one carpenter expect to stand a fair chance at running for office against such a stacked deck?
Well, with all of the orange shirts, campaign literature, banners, buttons and balloons - I'm sure it all cost a pretty penny -- maybe even upwards of $50,000. Which would still leave about $200,000 in reserves for next time?
It is said that about 85% of the elected delegates are paid staff. Understand that these positions are appointed. There is no real job security; therefore, while job performance may certainly be a top priority, so is doing whatever keeps your Boss happy - and this should be of concern to us all. Our union is increasingly run from the top down, rather than by traditional means. Communication tends to be one way only. Our leadership does not promote open communications amongst the members and seldom are the concerns of working carpenters represented by their Business Reps. and taken up the ladder. Make no mistake, this is an erosion of trade union democracy.
While getting the support of the hired help is one thing, winning the hearts and minds of the members - with no purse strings attached - is quite another.
Articles
on the Carpenters union:
Carpenters
Mystery
Blocking Carpenters move for more bureaucratic power
In
Detroit: Carpenters corruption is centralized and efficient
The
eternal quest for fair hiring in construction
Carpenters win right to elect regional council officers
Consolidation
in the Construction Trades
Carpenters
form National Reform Group
Reformers
Jolt Carpenters Convention
Carpenters
Reformers Win in New England
Court
challenges DOL on Carpenters Regional Council
Harrington v Chao: Judge
Stearns's "memorandum and order" (pdf)
AUD Bill of Rights
for the Building Trades
AUD brief opposing stay of
order
Sample letter requesting direct elections
Letter to Carpenters from Carl
Biers
Court deals setback
for democracy in Carpenters union
At
the Carpenters Union convention in Las Vegas
Links to Carpenters rank-and-file websites
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