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full text At the Carpenters Union Convention in Las Vegas - Union Democracy Review

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.

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.

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