Compare the Candidates
Dennis Sheil believes that our District Council does not need any reforms. John Musumeci believes members must reclaim their fundamental democratic rights and supports reforms. Sheil is opposed to each and everyone of these reforms. Musumeci favors everyone of these reforms. Regardless of what Sheil or the Unity Team say now, they have not advocated any democratic reforms since being in office and have denied you your democratic rights!| ON THE ISSUES | ||
| Musumeci | vs | Sheil |
| Favor | Oppose |
*****The Right To Vote On All Contracts*****
We demand an end to the system by which collective bargaining contracts are imposed on members without their review. We endorse the right of members to vote for or against proposed contracts. Before any such vote, we propose (1.) That the full and accurate terms of any contract be reported to the membership far enough in advance of the vote to permit intelligent review, and (2.) That provisions be made for democratic discussion of the contract provisions.
*****Vote On All Assessments and Dues *****
We demand an end to the system by which Assessments and Dues are imposed on members without their review. We endorse the right of members to vote for or against any assessments or dues proposed. Before any such vote, we propose (1.) That the full and accurate terms of any assessments or dues be reported to the membership far enough in advance of the vote to permit intelligent review, and (2.) That provisions be made for democratic discussion of the proposed Assessments and Dues.
*****End The Contractor Request*****
Nothing has hurt our membership more than this phony out-of-work-list, Its time to end it now! Carpenters should have the right to work in dignity and with a high standard of living. We insist upon the implementation of a fair hiring system which distributes job opportunities for all dues-paying members without fear or favor.
*****Stewards From The Home Local*****
To better assist our shop stewards on the job, all shop stewards should be appointed by a business agent and come from that home local. This will ensure accountability, business agents will be held accountability for the actions of shop stewards.
*****Freedom From Corruption*****
Let all trustees do their job with full access to the union books and provide the membership with full and accurate reports on all union finances. Also we should adopt a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of corruption and cut off all money for the indicted. Union service should be about serving a cause greater than self-interest
*****Fiscal Discipline*****
The Unity Team has spent millions of your hard earn dollars on lawyer fees, sucking the lifeblood from our treasury defending corrupt action's. On their watch, council spending soared some 163 percent, from $19 million in '99 to almost $50 million this year! Balancing the budget and acting fiscally responsible with members money went from a core principle of past administrations to lip service of the tax and spend Unity Team. Its time to cut spending and reduce our budget. The Unity Team should show it's serious about real spending cuts and reduce spending.
*****Eliminated Triple Assessments*****
The Unity Team has tripled our assessments over the past eight years, and supports plans to take even more of your hard earn money after the election to pay for their over spending. The District Council must learn to live on a budget just like every member in this union. Spending must be cut across the board and a large share of that revenue returned back to where it belongs-- directly to the membership of this union.
*****Pension Fund*****
The Unity Team has misled and deceived us. We are not being told the truth about our Pension Fund. We demand a Full Independent Investigation and a Full and Complete Accounting reported to the membership on the Pension Fund. The" supplemental pension fund" should be eliminated and either the $1 dollar an hour credited to the real “pension fund” or returned back to the memberships pocket!
***** Welfare Fund*****
Today, we face a great challenge: At a time when we have fewer resources, a membership that is aging, and a deficit that while much improved, still plagues us, we must come together to balance the budget and truly reform our Welfare Fund, while still keeping our promises to the membership and our retirees.
Our Welfare Fund has provided a blanket of health security for our members and retirees. It has helped change what it means to be old in America; what it means to be sick in America; what it means to be disabled in America. The gift that our Welfare Fund has given to those who came before us must be preserved for those who come after us -- That is our moral responsibility.
*****Interactive Websites *****
It’s a sad fact the membership has no voice at all on the NYCDC web site, which is installed as one-way communication system: from leaders to members, but not the reverse. Our leaders tell us about specific labor campaigns they want us to support, but are not interested in our comments or suggestions. Any forum where members can speak freely makes them nervous. The technology is available to allow members to have their say on the Web through the use of “message boards” and “chat rooms” that also serve to stimulate discussion groups. The NYCDC websites must allow union members to talk to each other and their officers on the issues.
*****Remove Incompetent Officers*****
When we elect our officers, we expect them to live up to their promises and our expectations, to behave with honesty and integrity, and to run the union in a democratic manner, with due regard for our rights. But once elected, far too many officers act as though the union is their personal property. They make important decisions without asking our approval. They hand out cushy jobs to their cronies. They spend union funds lavishly on themselves and don’t report their expenses to the members. They try to adopt a lifestyle that is more like the employers they deal with than ours. We need the right to hold a referendum to remove incompetent and corrupt officers from office. Many democratic organizations have a provision in their constitutions giving members the power to recall their officers by a referendum under specified conditions.
*****Employers Right To Reject*****
Virtually all construction contracts give employers the right to reject any carpenter for employment without explanation or justification. With that right, employers are free to take action against union activists, to blacklist union stewards, and to discriminate against any worker who files a grievance to enforce the terms of a union contract. The District Council should insist that employers show good cause before rejecting a carpenter, that they be required to explain and justify any such rejection, and that procedures be established for enforcing the new rule.
*****Protection From Retaliation*****
Once employers lose that unconditional right to reject, union stewards can be protected against retaliation and will be free to fulfill their responsibility for enforcing the provisions of our union contract, It will be possible to implement an effective grievance procedure to protect our members rights to safe and decent working conditions.
*****Let Our Members Know*****
Automatic distribution to all members, copies of the collective bargaining contract and union constitutions and bylaws.
**The Choice is Clear!**
If you want change in our union,
if you are tired of the status quo,
if you hope for a better District Council,
then I am asking for your VOTE.
*****ELECT*****
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE
****JOHN MUSUMECI****
***DISTRICT COUNCIL***
***VICE PRESIDENT***
If you want change in our union,
if you are tired of the status quo,
if you hope for a better District Council,
then I am asking for your VOTE.
*****ELECT*****
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE
****JOHN MUSUMECI****
***DISTRICT COUNCIL***
***VICE PRESIDENT***
