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twitterA different view outside AFL-CIO’s big tent
Carpenters union detests a company the federation admires, highlighting old rift
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 | 2 a.m.
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Is Pete King Corp. an abusive contractor or a pillar of the region’s construction industry?
The answer depends on which union you believe.
Last month the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters launched a blistering media campaign against the local painting and drywall contractor, accusing it of hiring illegal immigrants, paying less than minimum wage and denying workers overtime and benefits.
Moreover, the carpenters allege Pete King has refused to provide adequate safety equipment and training, leading to unsafe working conditions and employee injuries.
The company, with headquarters in North Las Vegas and Phoenix, denies the allegations — and, in a strange twist, has the support of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.
The painters, who have a contract with the company’s Arizona operation, defended Pete King with a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic, saying the contractor “sets the standard for quality workmanship, integrity in business and fairness to its employees.”
The union infighting provides a window to a larger fissure in the labor movement — and highlights the competitive pressures felt by the building trades as they attempt to organize in the moribund construction industry.
The Pete King dispute is part of an ongoing war between the carpenters’ union and the AFL-CIO and its construction affiliates, including the painters.
The fight goes back to 2001, when the carpenters, under the leadership of Douglas J. McCarron, split from the country’s largest labor federation, dismissing the AFL-CIO as a lumbering bureaucracy that had failed to adapt to changes in the modern construction industry.
The carpenters pledged to organize nonunion workers through so-called “wall-to-wall” agreements, designed to place all workers on a project under the carpenters umbrella. Such pacts, however, effectively meant poaching members from other trades, thus setting up jurisdictional warfare across the country.
After years of fighting, the battle seemingly came to a head in August at the painters union convention in Las Vegas. Painters officials called on the AFL-CIO to condemn what they called the carpenters’ “predatory behavior” and asked the federation’s new leader, Richard Trumka, to help them fight back.
Delegates exclaimed in unison: “It’s about time!”
The AFL-CIO responded at its convention in Pittsburgh last month, passing a resolution urging the carpenters to rejoin the federation. Failing that, the AFL-CIO gave its Building and Construction Trades Department permission to start organizing carpenters — with the ultimate goal of forming a competing carpenters union.
In a statement, McCarron dismissed the resolution as “a solution in search of a problem,” adding that his carpenters work with AFL-CIO unions on a regular basis to complete construction projects.
He said the federation’s officials should spend their resources “organizing the craft workers in the markets they used to represent, before they divert their members’ hard-earned dues in efforts to reach out to workers they lack the knowledge to represent and the skills or resources to train.”
The carpenters’ aggressive organizing strategy, McCarron said, reflects “the industry our members work in, instead of the industry our founders knew.”
Labor experts said they expect the conflict to intensify as more and more contractors engage in work that cuts across traditional jurisdictional lines.
“There are legitimate questions about how the work in the construction industry is organized and what the most effective models are for bringing that work under collective bargaining,” said Jeff Grabelsky, director of the Construction Industry Program at Cornell University. “In some cases, the traditional lines are appropriate. In others, it’s not unfair to ask if they present an obstacle to getting a contract.”
The scarcity of work heightens the tension, experts said.
According to the Associated General Contractors of America, all but two states suffered significant declines in construction employment in August. Arizona and Nevada led the nation in job losses, with Nevada shedding 29,500 construction jobs over the past year — a 25 percent decline.
Grabelsky said the organizing debate is healthy, but the dueling ad campaigns were not. Such moves, he said, consume vital resources.
“There’s no question the industry has changed in ways that challenge the traditional jurisdictional lines,” he said. “But it would be great if the building trades could figure out how to resolve that without going to war with each other.”
Discussion: 28 comments so far…
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It's great to see the Union loafers fighting among themselves. As the work fades and fades away, they'll be feuding endlessly. The BA's, of course, will take care of their buds, with generous Christmas presents headed to the BA's. The carpenters out of work will find out that 10 bucks an hour non union work is better than zero bucks an hour when UI runs out. Of course, the problem is that they will have to actually work hard for the 10 bucks.
So sad...
Having never worked in an union, I find it ironic how a union smears a company in this economy where jobs are hard to find.
Again why smear a construction company with hundreds of employees in this economy? Isn't that against the interest of the many families depending on Pete King?
Who will put food on their table? The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters union?
Construction is a risky business.. ask the families of the people killed at the all union CityCenter construction site. Ask the families what their dead relatives' union dues did for them.
Unions are finished in this country due to globalization and world capitalism.
Without a government requirement for union help enforced by greedy politicians like the county pulling a contract from a non union paving contractor, the unions would not exist. Worker don't need them. They are a monopoly that exists only to self perpetuate themselves
The fight between unions over who gets the dues is hilarious. Like mobsters fighting over drug or prostitution turf these evil empires expose each others real goals.
JPM42 I enjoy comments from those who have absolutely no knowledge of the facts or circumstances regarding an issue. Most of the benefits you and others take for granted at your work place are because of the works of organized labor before you were born.
In this case if you like illegal immigrants and the problems they cause then you would like Pete King.
Of course this is an organizing argument and it sounds as if you should save your half baked comments for issues you at least know something about.
neiman Your stupidity rages on. You have fallen off of your skateboard and bumped you over sized mellon head again. It obvious you read to much fiction and have paranoia issues regarding mobsters,drugs, and prostitiution along with your fascination of Bush and the right wing where the real thugs and mobsters live.
You can not discuss one labor issue with any degree of intelligence, would not know a mafia member or gangster if one sat next to you and in reality would tremble and cry if you actually encountered a prostitute. It is America and you can continue with your delusions regarding life and make a fool of yourself by posting those delusions. By the way I still maintain you don't have and never have had a job in your life.
How is it a benefit for workers and their families if organized labor succeeds in shutting down Pete King? How do the workers benefit?
*There are people working at Pete King today
*There are families depending on those jobs
*There is record unemployment in Nevada
The Union is waging a smear campaign intent on either organizing workers at Pete King or running them out of town
Again how do the workers benefit from ANY of this?
I feel sorry for the families depending on Pete King but I feel even more sympathy for people like homer who are told what to think from the union propaganda machine.
You're and your union friends are so out of touch with the common worker and you don't even realize it.
How sad.
Think before you post homer
JPM42 Are you aware there is a federal investigation of Pete King and his business practices? Maybe one of the illegal immigrants he under pays and does not insure can steal your indentity or car jack you.
I do not belong to a union and don't have a dog in this fight other than the hiring of illegal immigrants, requiring workers to not report work injuries and when there are work injuries send the injured to UMC for free mdeical care on the tax payers dime, which is 141 million in the red thanks to the Pete Kings of the world. The Pete King problem is worse in Arizona. You would know that if you knew the facts about Pete king.
You sir on the other hand falsely accuse me of things I am not and do not know the facts which makes you some what of a nit wit.I repeat I do not belong to a union and do not take orders from a union. I am not preprogrammed to speak without thinking like you.
I do not like illegal immigrants and the problems they cause but in reality if you are so sympathetic with the workers then feel sorry for their explotation. If these things were not factual Pete King could sue but he will not sue because he can not run from the truth.
Now do research and be careful who you indiscriminately accuse of being a memeber of or taking orders from.
How pahthetic you are. I would be fitting if you had to work for Pete King for a month.But you probably don't work and are not interested in working. Think before you post and accuse.
JPM42 My orginal post stands. Get the facts before you post. You feel sorry for the workers? That is the best you have for this issue? Go to mall or the park and bother someone there.
JPM42 By exposing Pete King the workers(as you put it) may actually improve their lot witht the intervention of the proper authorities. It would be great if Pete King hired Americans who atleat know their rights instead of ignorant illegal immigrants who he can intimidated. To answer your senseless question.
So potentially being out of a job due to a union smear campaign is 'improving their lot?'
How ignorant.
Most of these posters have never worked for a union and don't know the first thing about the labor movement. That being said, there has been a number of complaints against the Carpenters Union. A read an article by a professor in New Mexico that said the locals there hired non-union picketers. I have also seen this practice in Las Vegas.
As far as safety on the job is, it is the responsibility of the employer to keep the workers safe. This done by training and common sense. These safety techniques have to be constantly stressed and enforced. Loss time injuries do occur. When this happens, it is very expensive. The worker has to be examined, he/she has to take a drug/alcohol test. There is lost productivity. There maybe other considerations as well.
Unions are exceptionally weak at this time. This is one of the reasons the economy is in the ditch. Work is not valued, unless you are a banker or insurance, or real estate sales man. Our economy cannot be propped up by Wal-mart wages. Service sector jobs will not pay high enough to support a vibrant middle class. Even our precious IT jobs are being outsourced to India.
Companies such as Pete King that hire undocumented workers are a small part of the problem, but not insignificant. The Federal Government has done very little to enforce labor laws as well as immigration laws. This is what happens when the budgets of these governments agencies or gutted by the last three decades of GOP rule. I include WJC, he signed Nafta and was no friend of organized labor.
American capitalism is beginning to level the playing field back to where it should have been all along: capital vs labor with market place outcomes. Unions are obsolete and it shows now.
Public employee unions are the most powerful unions in the country. Capitalism and fair market value are not in place to slow the creeping crud of outrageous pay and benefits.
The taxpayer has a duty and a responsibility to do everything he or she can do to bust public employee unions.
I enjoy the spirited discussion here. Let me help clarify things. First of all, companies in the construction business come and go. If Company A is not being fair to its workers, eventually the cut rate workmanship will manifest itself by way of missed bids - the company cannot make money when quality suffers and call-backs are rampant. So, eventually, they close the doors. This seems terrible at first, until Company B shows up to pick up the slack. Skilled union workers simply go to work for the next company.
Next, it is true the UBC (United Brotherhood of Carpenters) hires non-union and HOMELESS people to man picket lines. I've seen it first hand. The signs they are holding protest a company's use of non-union labor, but does the UBC offer a fair wage or benefits to those holding the signs? NO. It's a shame their members do not respect the leadership enough to man a picket line.
Lastly about unions in general - It's humorous to read all the accusations of "mob rule" and fat cat BA's who live off the fat of the land. Humorous, but terribly inaccurate. Most BA's earn exactly what their members make. Some rank-and-file members can earn DOUBLE the salary of a business agent during busy years. Even the General President of the Painter's Union earns FAR LESS than a typical CEO of a 140,000 employee company. How is this "mob rule" or extended nepotism?
We represent skilled workers so they cannot be individually beaten down and discouraged enough to work for less than they deserve. Collective bargaining is designed to avoid a race to the bottom - which is exactly where the Wal-Mart's and the rest of the wing nuts want average people to be - under their greedy feet.
Regardless if you are pro union or against them - if ANY company is employing illegal's, they should be fined heavily and replaced with americak workers. An example is that a local hospital layed off 100 nurses and staff because they were spending $2mil a month on "unreimbursed medical" services TO ILLEGALS!! Thats 100 americans who ARE here legally that lost their jobs...Why don't the unions do something about that instead of fighting between their different union organizations?
This is amazing, three years ago when the Painter's union wanted Pete King they were accused of everything under the sun. Now that the painters have a contract with Pete King in Arizona, Pete King is worth defending.
All union members need to know that the Department of Labor requires your union to submit their financial statements once a year. Here's the link http://kcerds.dol-esa.gov/query/getOrgQr...
Do yourself a favor and go look at how your dues are spent.
Another reason that the liberals don't like Pete King is that King donated thousands of dollars to have the gay marriage amendent fail in Arizona. This issue is about politics as well as having a non-union shop.
I agree with Retired Youngster - Companies face little or no penalties for employing illegals. This is probably where the crux of the problem lies. I can't blame someone for wanting to better themselves, so targeting the immigrants themselves is wrong. Meaningful immigration reform has to include real penalties for businesses.
afveteran You must be career air force employee because you know nothing of the real world.
Thanks to peolpe like you,George Bush and John McCain the illegal immigrants and third world countries have all of the rights while American workers union and nonunion suffer. I'll bet you have never taken a college course on economics or you would know just how ridiculous your statement is on this matter, like most of your posts. Thanks to hard working men and women who many are union you enjoy your Air Force retirement, now bite the hand that helped feed you. Think it is something someone else did for you for decades.
afveteran and JPM42 do some research and find out how many charges have been filed against Pete King for unsafe working conditions as well as other issues that plague this corrupt,illegally ran, discredited business. I doubt if you can do that. But you can post about things that you know nothing about other than what someone else told you or your irrational thinking does for you.
I'm curious about whether any of you non-union people realize the exorbitant number of illegal aliens that are "Union Members" taking jobs away from legal Americans of all trades and are currently working at City Center, McCarron Airport,etc. making 30 plus dollars an hour with benefits. My best guesstimate is 15%, it's a crime and I and a lot of other legal "Union Members" are pissed.
Pete King is a Mormon. Enough said. This guy would do anything to anybody to further his pocketbook.
Shut him down.
The firs time I saw the commercial I spit out my beer I was so happy somebody finally nailed this fool. "use them up and spit them out" (Motivation poster seen at Pete King in Mesquite)
Love to read the general public's perception on how a union can protect the worker.
If Pete King is doing what is being alleged then there are statues and other laws that can shut them down. Being in a union doesn't provide an absolute right to provide fool proof working conditions or pay scales.
Safety for the workers starts with the worker. The worker has a duty to work safe and to ensure the conditions are safe before entering the work area. If the company doesn't promote or practice safety then the persona has choice to stay and work unsafe or stay and work safe. If the employee properly documents any unsafe working conditions and the company retaliates against said employee, the employee can file suit.
Pay scales are regulated by The Davis Bacon Act and the union pay scales follow this Act, excluding Teamsters. Teamsters have divided their trade up into so many classifications and by company they've ruined themselves.
I've been involved with both sides of the industry and in either case; the worker for the most part lacks the training to really understand safety and being union doesn't make it any safer.
The Carpenters should worry about training people that are qualified to be called a carpenter and stay away from the Painters work.
union slogan: everyman for himself
settle it with a dual
nail gun vs paint spray gun at 10 paces
You labor unions are bad wah wah!Why do you want a fair wage WAWAh! You people all have grand delusions of how unions work. The majority of the people in them are there for a pension and med insurance!What the hell is wrong with that?Do you have it, why shouldn't we?.With out the unions you could pay alot less for your illegal Mexicans and Cubans right? That is what it comes down to(money) isn't it?.Half of you couldn't build a shack straight,finish some drywall right,wire a room etc.So you call someone to do it.You want to save all you can for Pete's sake so lets hire the non-citizen.So lets get this right, your scared you will screw it up so you hire a illegal(or your contractor does,seeing how hes paying them cash.gives them no insurance, no ssi and all of us pay for their medical expenses.But hey the unions are hoodlums.Not all of us play the union politic games. And the BAs do play favorites,but that doesn't mean the good guys that are in the unions should be lumped in with everyone like some ass wipes here say.We work hard and if you think its all standing around bsing, i can tell ya you wouldn't last a day getting dirty with half of the lazy bastards i know.Go ahead hire some scab illegal then call a union contractor to fix your house after it falls down!
I don't know Peter King, but I do know that this sort of slanderous and unethical orginizing tactics by Southwest Carpenters Union has been going on here in New Mexico. The union has targeted good ethical companies claiming that they do not pay fair wages and they do not offer any health or dental benefits. For some of these companies the union has targeted, they are outright lies! These companies I speak of provide excellent wages with full health and dental benefits and 401k programs. The Union cannot prove otherwise and continues to picket sites around Albuquerque and Santa Fe in New Mexico. There have been numerous newspaper articles indicating the employees of these companies are happy and say they their employer provides a full benefits package for their entire family. Other union signatory contractors even support, respect and hire these companies that the union has targeted. So, why does the union use this sort of slanderous organizing tactics? When confronted about it, the union shies away and says they will issue a press release and of course they never do. That's because they have nothing to support their false claims! These sort of tactics give the union a bad name and it will backfire. The companies they are wrongfully targeting are not afraid and they have the support of their communities. Stop the lies! and step up and show something, you cowards! I am NOT anti-union, but I am against this unethical and slanderous organizing tactic that the Southwest Carpenters Union has used, so SHAME ON THEM!