New York City District Council of Carpenter union

 

New York City District Council of Carpenter union members held a rally at union headquarters on Hudson Street in Manhattan on April 12, 2011 demanding that  corruption within the unions' leadership be ended, and seeking clarification, and opposition, to changes to proposed wage rates and mobility rules. New York City District Council of Carpenters Supervisor Frank Spencer, who was installed by the federal court through the U.S. Attorney's office, which has investigated and prosecuted corruption in the union for decades, stated that the District Council  is reforming itself. Spencer, in a prepared statement, said "The leadership of the District Council has offered a strong proposal to amend its bylaws that expand democracy within the New York City operation and provide further financial transparency. We are working with the Review Officer and the U.S. Attorney's office to develop these bylaws and to ensure our membership has the opportunity to provide more into the operations of their union...I want to ensure our members that their concerns and opinions are being heard and that pertains to changes going forward in the out of work list as well." Spencer was appointed by the U.S. Attorney as Supervisor in August 2009 following evidence of certain union leadership wrongdoings, including fraud, kickbacks, illegal drug use and credit card abuse. Spencer also serves as International Vice President of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.