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MEDIA ALERT
Attention: News Assignment
For Immediate Release

Restore The Vote Slate
www.getridofmac.com

Contact:
Rachael Perrotta ~ (773) 569-0568 ~ rmperrotta@hotmail.com
Ken Little ~ (253) 576-8950 ~ ranknfile@earthlink.net

Restore the Vote Slate Battles for Rank-and-File Democracy Despite Campaign of Fear and Intimidation

Dissent and discussion are thwarted in District Caucuses as McCarron cronies push through endorsement; Free Speech Resolution is ruled out-of-order.

Las Vegas, August 24, 2005 In a bid to reshape the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCJA) into a fair, responsible, and democratic union, rank and file carpenter Tom Lewandowski will accept the nomination for the General President of the UBCJA on August 24th at the Carpenters' 39th General Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Other candidates on the Restore the Vote slate include Ken Little for General Secretary-Treasurer, and Scott Brineman for District Vice President/Western District.

"In Sunday's Caucuses we saw the continuation of McCarron's rampant campaign of fear and intimidation," says Tom Lewandowski, candidate for General President. "In each Caucus, rank-and-file democracy was thwarted as McCarron's hand-picked delegates called for endorsement of his candidacy, which was seconded by all Regional EST's, immediately following opening statements by each side. As the same process was seen in each Caucus, it became clear that McCarron and his cronies are running a coordinated campaign to silence discussion and dissent in our Brotherhood."

The Caucuses also saw an attempt by McCarron to discredit the healthcare plan being put forward by the reform slate. In each Caucus, one of McCarron's cronies asked hostile questions, misstating the 'Restore the Vote' plan to lower health care premiums for young rank-and-filers without families to support.

"McCarron's cronies tried convince the Caucuses that our slate will take away health care for young carpenters," says Lewandowski. "In reality we will set up a two-tiered system where both young, single carpenters and carpenters with families will be able to apply for the health care plan that fits them best."

In some Caucuses, including the Western District Caucus chaired by Michael McCarron, brother of the General President, the rules of order were overturned and delegates were allowed to make multiple statements smearing the platform of the reform slate.

On Monday, a Resolution in Support of Free Speech at UBC General Convention was brought to the convention floor. The resolution upholds the principles of democracy and debate, and would make it a violation of the rules for any delegate to act as a "floor whip" to seize control of the convention or to prevent, discourage, intimidate, or threaten any delegates from reaching the microphones to freely express their opinions on debatable issues.

Although the motion was ruled out of order and was not passed, debate was allowed on the issue. After the motion was presented, in a victory for free speech and dissent, McCarron backed away from his long-standing policy of silencing discussion and allowed delegates to speak in opposition of all other motions put forward.

The 'Restore the Vote' slate regrets to announce Joseph Durham, running for General Vice President, has withdrawn his candidacy. However, Durham will attend the remainder of the convention as a delegate.

For more information on the Restore the Vote slate, please visit www.getridofmac.com or www.ranknfile.net

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HAMMERHARDmediaworks
PHONE: 773.569.0568 FAX: 312.733.2182
EMAIL: rmperrotta@hotmail.com

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