How Chicago Carpenters Union F'd Themselves

By David Johnson LaborNet.org LITTLE DID DOUG MCCARRON know back in March of 2001 when he withdrew the national Carpenters Union from the AFL-CIO ( without the knowledge or voting of approval from the rank and file members) that he had caused a spark that ignited an explosion by working Carpenters in the city of Chicago.... When the " leadership " of Chicago Carpenter¹s local one announced to the membership in April of 2001 about McCarron¹s pull-out from the AFL-CIO, they didn¹t expect anyone to question the decision of the supreme commander ( McCarron ). They realized they had definitely misjudged the membership when member after member stood-up to voice concern and opposition to the departure from the AFL-CIO. Many of these members who spoke out either didn¹t know each other or were not aware that they had a common concern.... After the elections the leadership went on the offensive ; members were accused of being " communists " for advocating democracy, other members found it difficult to get work, and a few members were verbally intimidated and/or physically assaulted by other members in front of union representatives. The business agents normally used these individuals as regular stewards. FULL ARTICLE at LaborNet.org...