LU608 dissolution/ LU157 merger

From: Daniel J. Franco
Date: Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 14:08
Subject: LU608 dissolution/ LU157 merger
To: "Torrance, Benjamin (AUSA, SDNY, USDOJ)" , "Dennis M. Walsh"
Cc: "Dennis M. Walsh" , Mark Fitzmaurice , Jack Mitchell , Walter Mack , "LaMorte, Tara (AUSA, SDNY, USDOJ)" , "Zornberg, Lisa R. (AUSA, SDNY, USDOJ)" , "Lanpher, Mark D. (AUSA, SDNY, USDOJ)" , "Gibbs, Ryan (OLRFI-NY, OIG, USDOL)" , "Garcia, Cheryl (OLRFI-NY, OIG, USDOL)"


Dear Sirs:


1) Are you actively questioning and resisting the wrongful LU608
dissolution/ LU157 merger? If not, why not? In particular, are you
seeking to determine:
   a) What the reasons were for the dissolution/merger?
   b) Why McWilliams was required to travel to Las Vegas the very
next day after the election? What service he was performing for the
UBC, NYCDCC or LU608? What organization paid for his travel and
accommodations?
   c) Why the dissolution/merger was enacted just seven days after a
'rank-and-file' member is elected president? Why the local was not put
under supervision or dissolved/merged sooner while the local union was
being operated by former exceptionally questionable presidents?
2) Is there an effort to obtain a court injunction or some type of
stay/reversal against the dissolution/merger?
3) Is there an effort to determine whether there were UBC Constitution
violations?
4) Is there an effort to determine whether there were Consent Decree
violations, e.g. not giving the Government and/or you prior notice?
5) Is there an effort to determine whether there were US
DOL/LMRDA/labor law violations?
6) Is there an effort to determine whether there were RICO violations?
7) If you weren't already, are you now fully aware that McCarron is a
sociopath? Are you aware that he is an egotistical, double-talking,
megalomaniac who has been operating the UBCJA as if he were a
dictatorial CEO whereby his abusive overbearing actions and methods
against the general membership have been destroying our labor union
since at least his inception as General President?
8) Have you obtained Newkirk's report regarding this matter? If so, I
would greatly appreciate if you would forward me a copy.
9) Mr. Walsh, will you be attending the forthcoming LU157 meeting next
Monday, December 20? I and many other members would greatly appreciate
your presence.

I thank you for your time and attention to these matters.


Sincerely,
Daniel J. Franco
LU157, UBCJA


DJF's Blogspot
http://danieljfranco1.blogspot.com/
To the Dissolution of Local Union 608 - Say NO!, Part 1
http://danieljfranco1.blogspot.com/2010/10/dissolution-of-lu608.html
To the Dissolution of Local Union 608 - Say NO!, Part 2
http://danieljfranco1.blogspot.com/2010/10/dissolution-of-lu608-2.html
To the Dissolution of Local Union 608 - Say NO!, Part 3
http://danieljfranco1.blogspot.com/2010/10/dissolution-of-lu608-3.html

LU157 Regular Meeting, 2010-08-23, 2010 UBCJA General Convention Delegate Admonishment Speech

Dear Fellow Union Carpenters,


For your knowledge and reference, below is my "Admonishment Speech" which I read to the LU157 2010 UBCJA General Convention Delegates and attending members at the Local Union 157 Regular Meeting, Monday, 2010 August 23.


Daniel J. Franco
LU157, UBCJA


---

Abraham Lincoln stated in his State of the Union message of 1861,
which I wholeheartedly agree, that "Labor is prior to, and independent
of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have
existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of
capital, and deserves the much higher compensation."

I will take this a step further by stating that actual persons are prior
to[, and] independent of, organizations, companies, and, in
particular, corporations and can not exist without actual persons.

Our union is not a business, as many union officials may think it is.
It is a brotherhood , a family. Of course, all families have to [be]
prudent about their finances, time and resources but they do not and
must not trump our humanity.

McCarron carries himself and speaks as though he were a CEO, a
corporatist, a boss, a business owner. He does not speak as though he
were a union leader, as a unionist, [and] not as a brother in a
family.

You appear to accept McCarron as an infallible genius god of our union
or are absolutely terrified of him. The GC Delegates are either
deluded or cowards.

As I've said before, voting for McCarron and Co. is voting against the
betterment of the membership.

Having voted for McCarron, it appears that you've drunk too much of
the McCarron [K]ool-Aid .

Having voted for McCarron was approval of and support for all his
bullying, egotism, and elitist tactics and actions.

By voting for McCarron:
You have chosen your unsustainable paychecks over the members.
You have chosen your forced mergers and dissolutions of local unions
and councils.
You have chosen trade raiding.
You have chosen embezzlement.
You have chosen corporate-unionism.
You have chosen assessments and larger fines.
You have chosen disaffiliation with labor organizations, such as the
AFL-CIO, and now Change to Win, upon his whim.
You have chosen the allowance of the AFL-CIO charter a new carpenters union.
You have chosen oligarchy, almost to the point of dictatorship, over democracy.
You have chosen the continuation of the UBC as an employment agency
rather than a labor union.
You have chosen the destruction of democracy in the UBC.
You have chosen competition between the members, pitting one member
against another, rather than cooperation.
You have chosen against the members.

What I choose is knowledge and wisdom over ignorance, fear and vanity.
I rather stand-up in harms way for the betterment of the members than
to slither on my belly.

I choose to fight the fights that need to be fought, not just the ones
I know I can win. I rather go down fighting against tyranny than live
as a slave.

Know that you are not our owners or employers. You are our
representatives. You have made decisions without our input. You have
made decisions against our approval.

In closing, which side are you on?


Daniel J. Franco
LU157, UBCJA

Lawrence D'Errico; NYCDCC DoO

From: Daniel J. Franco
Date: Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 11:30
Subject: Lawrence D'Errico; NYCDCC DoO
To: "Frank G. Spencer"
Cc: "Dennis M. Walsh"


Dear Supervisor Spencer:


To verify, is Lawrence D'Errico actually the NYCDCC Director of
Operations? Is his appointment still interim or has he been fully
cleared to hold the position indefinitely?


Sincerely,
Daniel J. Franco
LU157, UBCJA

Fwd: Scott Widmeyer; Forde and Co-Defendants Pensions

From: Daniel J. Franco
Date: Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 15:05
Subject: Fwd: Scott Widmeyer; Forde and Co-Defendants Pensions
To: John Ballantyne
Cc: "Frank G. Spencer" , "Dennis M. Walsh"


Dear Assistant Supervisor John Ballantyne:


I have forwarded the messages below to you since Supervisor Spencer
has yet to respond.

Thank you for your time and cooperation with these matters.


Sincerely,
Daniel J. Franco
LU157, UBCJA



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Daniel J. Franco
Date: Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 11:23
Subject: Fwd: Scott Widmeyer; Forde and Co-Defendants Pensions
To: "Frank G. Spencer"
Cc: "Dennis M. Walsh"


Dear Supervisor Spencer:


I sent to you the message below Friday, August 20. Since you have not
yet responded, it appears to me that you have no intent, or are too
busy with your EDVP and multiple supervisor positions and duties, to
answer my questions timely. Therefore, even though Ms. Audra Donovan
strongly appears to be just a glorified, highly paid*
editor/photographer/writer for the NYCDCC Carpenters Magazine rather
than an actual Director of Communications, should I have instead sent
my inquiry her? However, I'm sure she would not know the answers to
nearly all my questions or has the authority to release any answers if
she did. Until you officially appoint and announce that appointment to
the membership, as NYCDCC Supervisor you are the only one to have such
access and authority to answer my questions. Therefore, I saw and see
no purpose or need to have sent her any inquiries.

However, on the other hand, should I have sent my inquiry to Mr. Scott
Widmeyer, the NYCDCC Spokesperson? If so, I just need to confirm his
contact information and when he officially became the NYCDCC
spokesperson. Therefore, again, is Mr. Widmeyer the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Widmeyer Communications
(http://www.widmeyer.com/) and what date did he officially become the
NYCDCC spokesperson?

Thank you for your time and cooperation with these matters.


Sincerely,
Daniel J. Franco
LU157, UBCJA


*Source:
Name, Title, Other Payer, Gross Salary, Disbursements (before any
deductions), Allowances Disbursed, Disbursements for Official
Business, Other Disbursements not reported, TOTAL
AUDRA O'DONOVAN, COMMUNICATION DIR., NONE, $95,344, $0, $13,092, $0, $108,436
US DOL LM-2 NYCDCC 2009, FILE NUMBER 032-922.
http://franco1.info/LM-2/LM-2_NYCDCC_2009.htm.



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Daniel J. Franco
Date: Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 11:23
Subject: Scott Widmeyer; Forde and Co-Defendants Pensions
To: "Frank G. Spencer"
Cc: "Dennis M. Walsh"


Dear Supervisor Spencer:


In an August 18, 2010, NY Daily News article, 'Corrupt carpenters
union big Michael Forde gets to keep $128G pension', reporter Brian
Kates reports, ""We intend to make every attempt possible to block
these pensions going to the people who have pleaded guilty or have
been implicated in serious wrongdoing," said district council
spokesman Scott Widmeyer. Widmeyer said the union plans to sue Forde
and his co-defendants and will apply for a piece of their federal
fines."
See http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/18/2010-08-18_corrupt_union_big_to_keep_his_128g_pension.html.

Who is Scott Widmeyer? Is he the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Widmeyer Communications (http://www.widmeyer.com/)?
Who decided to hire him? You alone? Or were others involved in the
decision? If so, who were/are the others?
Why was he hired? Why do we need a NYCDCC spokesperson? Does he also
represent any of the NYC local carpenter unions?
What is the date that he was hired? For what length of time or until
what goal is achieved is he expected to be retained?
To date, what is the amount of money paid by the NYCDCC to his firm?
Had he ever been hired before by any Carpenters' local union, council,
or the UBCJA? If so, when and for what?
To whom does "We" refer in Widmeyer's statement? You and him? DeCarlo,
Connor and Shanley? The UBCJA? The NYCDCC?
Regarding Widmeyer's statement, "the union plans to sue", who will
actually be performing this action? Am I correct to figure it will be
DeCarlo, Connor and Shanley? When are they expected to file this suit?
If they already have started, when was the suit filed and what is the
docket number?
Are the (estimated) pension amounts stated by Kates accurate for Forde
at $128,000 and for Greany at $50,000? Were these amounts provide to
Kates by Widmeyer? GraBois? You?
By what law(s) will the the "union" attempt to prevent the
disbursement of pension benefits to "Forde and his co-defendants"?
Is there any intent to prevent the disbursement of pension benefits to
others, such as Thomassen, Sheil, Leary, and others who have
"retired", resigned or were dismissed?
If awarded, to whom would the "piece of their federal fines" be
provided? DeCarlo, Connor and Shanley? The UBCJA? The NYCDCC?

I'm confident that you already know the answers to nearly all of the
above questions and can provide them today. For the remaining few, I
am confident that you will be able to provide them, at the latest, by
this coming Monday, August 23, 2010. I thank you for your time and
cooperation with these matters.


Sincerely,
Daniel J. Franco
LU157, UBCJA

Fwd: Scott Widmeyer; Forde and Co-Defendants Pensions

From: Daniel J. Franco
Date: Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 11:23
Subject: Fwd: Scott Widmeyer; Forde and Co-Defendants Pensions
To: "Frank G. Spencer"
Cc: "Dennis M. Walsh"


Dear Supervisor Spencer:


I sent to you the message below Friday, August 20. Since you have not
yet responded, it appears to me that you have no intent, or are too
busy with your EDVP and multiple supervisor positions and duties, to
answer my questions timely. Therefore, even though Ms. Audra Donovan
strongly appears to be just a glorified, highly paid*
editor/photographer/writer for the NYCDCC Carpenters Magazine rather
than an actual Director of Communications, should I have instead sent
my inquiry her? However, I'm sure she would not know the answers to
nearly all my questions or has the authority to release any answers if
she did. Until you officially appoint and announce that appointment to
the membership, as NYCDCC Supervisor you are the only one to have such
access and authority to answer my questions. Therefore, I saw and see
no purpose or need to have sent her any inquiries.

However, on the other hand, should I have sent my inquiry to Mr. Scott
Widmeyer, the NYCDCC Spokesperson? If so, I just need to confirm his
contact information and when he officially became the NYCDCC
spokesperson. Therefore, again, is Mr. Widmeyer the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Widmeyer Communications
(http://www.widmeyer.com/) and what date did he officially become the
NYCDCC spokesperson?

Thank you for your time and cooperation with these matters.


Sincerely,
Daniel J. Franco
LU157, UBCJA


*Source:
Name, Title, Other Payer, Gross Salary, Disbursements (before any
deductions), Allowances Disbursed, Disbursements for Official
Business, Other Disbursements not reported, TOTAL
AUDRA O'DONOVAN, COMMUNICATION DIR., NONE, $95,344, $0, $13,092, $0, $108,436
US DOL LM-2 NYCDCC 2009, FILE NUMBER 032-922.
http://franco1.info/LM-2/LM-2_NYCDCC_2009.htm.



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Daniel J. Franco
Date: Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 11:23
Subject: Scott Widmeyer; Forde and Co-Defendants Pensions
To: "Frank G. Spencer"
Cc: "Dennis M. Walsh"


Dear Supervisor Spencer:


In an August 18, 2010, NY Daily News article, 'Corrupt carpenters
union big Michael Forde gets to keep $128G pension', reporter Brian
Kates reports, ""We intend to make every attempt possible to block
these pensions going to the people who have pleaded guilty or have
been implicated in serious wrongdoing," said district council
spokesman Scott Widmeyer. Widmeyer said the union plans to sue Forde
and his co-defendants and will apply for a piece of their federal
fines."
See http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/18/2010-08-18_corrupt_union_big_to_keep_his_128g_pension.html.

Who is Scott Widmeyer? Is he the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Widmeyer Communications (http://www.widmeyer.com/)?
Who decided to hire him? You alone? Or were others involved in the
decision? If so, who were/are the others?
Why was he hired? Why do we need a NYCDCC spokesperson? Does he also
represent any of the NYC local carpenter unions?
What is the date that he was hired? For what length of time or until
what goal is achieved is he expected to be retained?
To date, what is the amount of money paid by the NYCDCC to his firm?
Had he ever been hired before by any Carpenters' local union, council,
or the UBCJA? If so, when and for what?
To whom does "We" refer in Widmeyer's statement? You and him? DeCarlo,
Connor and Shanley? The UBCJA? The NYCDCC?
Regarding Widmeyer's statement, "the union plans to sue", who will
actually be performing this action? Am I correct to figure it will be
DeCarlo, Connor and Shanley? When are they expected to file this suit?
If they already have started, when was the suit filed and what is the
docket number?
Are the (estimated) pension amounts stated by Kates accurate for Forde
at $128,000 and for Greany at $50,000? Were these amounts provide to
Kates by Widmeyer? GraBois? You?
By what law(s) will the the "union" attempt to prevent the
disbursement of pension benefits to "Forde and his co-defendants"?
Is there any intent to prevent the disbursement of pension benefits to
others, such as Thomassen, Sheil, Leary, and others who have
"retired", resigned or were dismissed?
If awarded, to whom would the "piece of their federal fines" be
provided? DeCarlo, Connor and Shanley? The UBCJA? The NYCDCC?

I'm confident that you already know the answers to nearly all of the
above questions and can provide them today. For the remaining few, I
am confident that you will be able to provide them, at the latest, by
this coming Monday, August 23, 2010. I thank you for your time and
cooperation with these matters.


Sincerely,
Daniel J. Franco
LU157, UBCJA

Scott Widmeyer; Forde and Co-Defendants Pensions

From: Daniel J. Franco danieljfranco1/at/gmail.com
Date: Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 11:23
Subject: Scott Widmeyer; Forde and Co-Defendants Pensions
To: "Frank G. Spencer" fspencer/at/nyccarpenter.com
Cc: "Dennis M. Walsh" dmwfw/at/verizon.net


Dear Supervisor Spencer:


In an August 18, 2010, NY Daily News article, 'Corrupt carpenters union big Michael Forde gets to keep $128G pension', reporter Brian Kates reports, ""We intend to make every attempt possible to block these pensions going to the people who have pleaded guilty or have been implicated in serious wrongdoing," said district council spokesman Scott Widmeyer. Widmeyer said the union plans to sue Forde and his co-defendants and will apply for a piece of their federal fines."
See http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/18/2010-08-18_corrupt_union_big_to_keep_his_128g_pension.html.

1. Who is Scott Widmeyer? Is he the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Widmeyer Communications (http://www.widmeyer.com/)?
2. Who decided to hire him? You alone? Or were others involved in the decision? If so, who were/are the others?
   
3. Why was he hired? Why do we need a NYCDCC spokesperson? Does he also represent any of the NYC local carpenter unions?
4. What is the date that he was hired? For what length of time or until what goal is achieved is he expected to be retained?
5. To date, what is the amount of money paid by the NYCDCC to his firm?
6. Had he ever been hired before by any Carpenters' local union, council, or the UBCJA? If so, when and for what?
7. To whom does "We" refer in Widmeyer's statement? You and him? DeCarlo, Connor and Shanley? The UBCJA? The NYCDCC?
   
8. Regarding Widmeyer's statement, "the union plans to sue", who will actually be performing this action? Am I correct to figure it will be DeCarlo, Connor and Shanley? When are they expected to file this suit? If they already have started, when was the suit filed and what is the docket number?
9. Are the (estimated) pension amounts stated by Kates accurate for Forde at $128,000 and for Greany at $50,000? Were these amounts provide to Kates by Widmeyer? GraBois? You?
10. By what law(s) will the the "union" attempt to prevent the disbursement of pension benefits to "Forde and his co-defendants"?
11. Is there any intent to prevent the disbursement of pension benefits to others, such as Thomassen, Sheil, Leary, and others who have "retired", resigned or were dismissed?
12. If awarded, to whom would the "piece of their federal fines" be provided? DeCarlo, Connor and Shanley? The UBCJA? The NYCDCC?
    

I'm confident that you already know the answers to nearly all of the above questions and can provide them today. For the remaining few, I am confident that you will be able to provide them, at the latest, by this coming Monday, August 23, 2010. I thank you for your time and cooperation with these matters.


Sincerely,
Daniel J. Franco
LU157, UBCJA

Letters to Spencer

2009 September 21
danieljfranco1@gmail.com

Mr. Frank G. Spencer
Eastern District Vice President
UBC Eastern District
14 Kings Highway West
P.O. Box 375
Haddonfield, NJ 08033
Tel: 856-428-1650
Fax: 856-428-1826

RE: Petition for Complete Transparency of NYCDCC Activities and Financings

Dear Mr. Spencer:


I petition the NYCDCC for the complete transparency of all its activities and financings since at least July 1, 1988.

I petition the New York City District Council of Carpenters (NYCDCC), the NYCDCC Pension Fund et al, and the NYCDCC Apprenticeship Journeymen’s Retraining, Education and Industry Fund, and any other fund, group, or organization that is directly operated therewith, that has information pertaining to any activities and/or financings of the aforementioned since at least July 1, 1988, to make available any such information, regardless of the type of media, without reservation or retribution, at no cost to any member or employee affiliated therewith upon request.

Detailed information that is to be made available shall include, but shall not be limited to, the obligations/duties, daily activities, special activities, court activities, lawsuits, elections, compensations (salaries, reimbursements, gifts), picketing, organizing efforts, organizing statistics (companies attempted to be unionized, companies unionized, number employees unionized, etc.) with regard to the NYCDCC Executives, NYCDCC Trustees (both labor and management), Business Managers, Business Agents, Organizers, NYCDCC employees, Shop/Job Stewards, and any other associated NYCDCC representative or position. Also to be made available are the detailed accountings and explanations of all transportation/travel, lodging, and food expenses, caterings, promotional events and items, golf “outings”, donations, lawyer fees, vehicle acquisitions (purchase, lease, etc.), vehicular maintenance and repair, vehicular fueling, and parking expenses.

In particular, to be made available are the NYCDCC accountings of the December 1988 1% Assessment, the accountings of the June 2000 $0.30 Assessment, and the accountings of the January 2007 $0.30 Assessment, any other information as to how the Assessments and all other NYCDCC monies have been used, are being used, and as to their intended use, with all such information to be updated at least monthly to be made available without reservation or retribution, at no cost to any member or employee affiliated therewith upon request.


Sincerely,
/s/ Daniel J. Franco /s/
Local Union 157, UBC

---

Receipt of the above emailed letter was acknowledged Tuesday 2009 September 22. The above letter is a slightly revised version of the following letter sent via emial Wednesday 2009 September 9.

---

September 9, 2009
danieljfranco1@gmail.com

Mr. Frank G. Spencer
Eastern District Vice President
New York District Council of Carpenters
395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
Tel: 212-366-7500
Fax: 212-675-3118


RE: Petition for Complete Transparency of NYCDCC Activities and Financings


Dear Mr. Spencer:


I petition the NYCDCC for the complete transparency of all its activities and financings since at least July 1, 1988.

I petition the New York City District Council of Carpenters (NYCDCC), the NYCDCC Pension Fund et al, and the NYCDCC Apprenticeship Journeymen’s Retraining, Education and Industry Fund, and any other fund, group, or organization that is directly operated therewith, that has information pertaining to any activities and/or financings of the aforementioned since at least July 1, 1988, to make available any such information, regardless of the type of media, without reservation or retribution, at no cost to any member or employee affiliated therewith upon request.

Detailed information that is to be made available shall include, but shall not be limited to, the obligations/duties, daily activities, special activities, court activities, lawsuits, elections, compensations (salaries, reimbursements, gifts), picketing, organizing efforts, organizing statistics (companies attempted to be unionized, companies unionized, number employees unionized, etc.) with regard to the NYCDCC Executives, NYCDCC Trustees (both labor and management), Business Managers, Business Agents, Organizers, NYCDCC employees, Shop/Job Stewards, and any other associated NYCDCC representative or position. Also to be made available are the detailed accountings and explanations of all transportation/travel, lodging, and food expenses caterings, promotional events and items, golf “outings”, donations, lawyer fees, automobile acquisitions (purchase, lease, etc.), maintenance, fueling, and parking expenses.

In particular, to be made available are the NYCDCC accountings of the December 1988 1% Assessment, the accountings of the June 2000 $0.30 Assessment, and the accountings of the January 2007 $0.30 Assessment, any other information as to how the Assessments and all other NYCDCC monies have been used, are being used, and as to their intended use, with all such information to be updated at least monthly to be made available without reservation or retribution, at no cost to any member or employee affiliated therewith upon request.



Sincerely,
/s/ Daniel J. Franco /s/
Local Union 157, UBC