One Member - One Vote: the Christie Resolution archive page

One of the major Planks of One Member One Vote is the right of SELF DETERMINATION. What does that mean to you? How would it work? Who would it affect?

The Road to Chicago is built on the Planks of the Party

Plank No. 1 - Self Determination

by Robert Christie, Local 22 San Francisco, California, July 20, 1999

I think, Self Determination means that the members in a Regional Council, let's say British Columbia, through the democratic process spelled out in our UBC Constitution decide how the Regional Council Representatives would be elected in British Columbia.

They could decide to elect their leadership by direct vote of the membership. They could decide to allow the membership to ratify all contracts by referendum vote of all working carpenters.

Or they could elect to:

Like Philadelphia, operated in pre-mccarron North America, elect the Regional Council Secretary by referendum vote of the membership and the business representatives could be hired and held accountable by the member elected regional council secretary.

Or they could elect to:

Do like the old Bay Counties District Council of Carpenters in Northern California. Delegates elected by the membership would elect the Regional Council Secretary and the representatives would be hired only after ratification from the floor of their local union meetings and then again at the district council meetings.

Or they could choose the:

McCarron Model, that is, election of Regional Council Secretaries by delegates elected by the membership, with no input from the membership in the hiring of representatives.

The membership in a regional council would DETERMINE BY THEMSELVES how they would operate.

Now rather than bore everyone with my personal views its time for everyone to post their views on "Self Determination".

Describe your visions of "SELF DETERMINATION" on UBCYES, Carpenters 131, Onelist, Carpenters for a Democratic Union, on the JOB, at your union meetings. Make people hear our concerns.

Try and use the CANADIAN VERSION of debate where your position is clearly explained without using the words@F%$#. In fact, rather than disagree just respond with your vision.

This organization belongs to us all. We can't be painted as the unreasonable party in this fight, we need to listen and convince others that we are fighting for justice and fairness for all.

Get off the sidewalk and onto the screen.

Self-Determination II
By ROBERT CHRISTIE JR.
Carpenters Local 22
San Francisco Ca.

In order for us working carpenters to change our Union, we must become aware of various democratic philosophies and beliefs and why these time tested beliefs became incorporated in the foundations of our government, law and union.

Self-determination is a principle outlined in the Constitution of the United States. The principle is that no nation should in peacetime interfere in the internal affairs of the states or another nation. That those states and nations have inalienable rights guaranteed by our constitution and by natural law.

Natural Law is the eternal law that governs the entire universe, instituted by God, present in humans, and which should be the basis on which human society rests. Humans can deduce what natural law is through their reasoning power, and their innate moral sense of what is right.

Natural Rights are similar to what the framers of the U.S. constitution called "inalienable rights," those rights that are given to humans by God or nature, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments to the constitution) embody this concept of natural rights, which was given modern formulation by English, French and American thinkers in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Natural law is contrasted to Statute Law, which are those laws that are enacted by human authority. Usually argued by those who want something other than what may be morally right or beneficial to one group.

To expand the principle of Self Determination into our local unions, I would describe it this way. The principle of Self Determination within the structure of a union would be as follows. The International Union should not interfere in the internal operations of a Regional Council if there are no reasons to make these Internal Changes. Likewise, the Regional Council should not interfere with the operations of a Local Union if there are no valid reasons to do so.

The Local Unions accept their affiliations with Regional Councils, therefore the Local Unions as a body should instruct the Regional Council to act in ways that they (as a whole) feel are just. By application of the Natural Laws of our regional unions.

The Regional Council should be empowered to change or amend its by-laws to determine how Contracts are voted on and how leadership is chosen. The International Union should have as a policy a program of Non-Intervention. This policy should be that the International Union should not intervene in the internal affairs of an affiliate unless specifically invited to resolve un-reconcilable differences or in cases of violations of the law.

That does not mean every regional council would rewrite the UBC Constitution and act independently from the International Union. But it could allow for various forms and interpretations of basic rules.

The right of members to vote on contracts should be allowed. It is the basic premise of democracy. Any union member should determine their wages and benefits, after all they work under those conditions. Workers organized into unions so as not to have their conditions dictated to them by unscrupulous bosses.

The Mandatory By-laws which were implemented by the general president under appointed restructured regional councils are interim rules which allow restructured councils to operate. But take note, no elected body ever gave the International General President the right to change the UBC Constitution; only the duly elected delegates may change the constitution of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.

This International brand of Self Determination is based on the premise that a General President will determine by himself what is best for the membership. This interpretation is undermining the very soul of every organizer in the UBC when employers tell their workers they will have no vote. The idea of unionization is that the worker participates in changing his life.

Just like the thousands of UBC members who join One Member - One Vote. There are no sign up sheets, no enrollment forms, they decide for themselves to take an active role in reforming the UBC. Its not the fault of the individuals fighting for reform within the union, the blame falls on one person, the person who took those rights away.

It is unconscionable to think that working carpenters must use the cumbersome methods spelled out in the UBC Constitution to reform the organization when the basic rights of the membership were taken away without any vote, but through re-consolidations and appointment.

General President McCarron, I know you read these postings, you are the person who took these privileges away and you are also the person who should give these rights back.

CARPENTERS INTERNET TIME LINE
From: ROBERT CHRISTIE JR , LOCAL 22
City: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Date: 11 Jul 1999

CARPENTERS 2000 - THE ROAD TO CHICAGO
BY ROBERT CHRISTIE JR.
Having just reviewed the Jawin Postings since April 11, 1999. It quite obvious that in four months the direction of the UBC has gone from one of individual regional fights to nation -wide coordinated battles.
On July 7, 1999 thousands of UBC Members marched to change the union. From San Francisco to New York and Boston. Members are openly defiant in the face of the General President. Our Canadian brothers and sisters have marched out and spoken with their feet, leaving General President McCarron speaking to his lackeys and wantabe leadership. The Canadians are the first District Council to stand up and oppose the all powerful General President. Their defiance in the face of our general officers is heroic and courageous. Their future unknown?

The General President's plan to reshape the union into a "Corporate Union" is failing miserably. To those of you who have freely chosen to enlist in our fight, well done. To those of you who read and wonder when you will dive in, welcome. To those of you who know that our fight is the just and righteous cause, but are to ashamed to step forward, we await your change of heart and your vote. The internet is a powerful medium for change. Over the past four months, we have all read about: "Separation Agreements", that gagged retiring leadership.
"Vote Stolen", Binding ratification of agreements without membership vote.
"McCarron Pulls Plug on E-Mail Network", where the General President silenced debate and discussion.
"Corruption in the Carpenters Union", where the executive board member Collado hired his brother as a ghost employee of the union.
"Throughout San Francisco carpenters are shutting down Jobs". where members refused to work under a contract they did not vote on.
"July 1st Day Off" where three major cities coordinated the walkoff and demonstration of 1000's of UBC members.

New York City, where carpenters marched to regain right to vote and won back health care to retirees.
Boston, where members marched to return the right to vote and elect leadership.
San Francisco, where carpenters overturned the phony ratification of their agreement
And Canada, where working carpenters and elected delegates are walking out when the General President walks in. Demanding the right of "Self Determination".

Our Goal is ONE MEMBER - ONE VOTE
TO CREATE DEMOCRATIC REFORM WITHIN THE UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS. THAT REFORM MUST COME FROM THE FLOOR OF EACH LOCAL UNION, WHERE WE ARE AN INTERNAL UNION FORCE.
1. ACCOUNTABLE DEMOCRACY
2. TO FIND CREDIBLE CANDIDATES TO RUN AGAINST THE CURRENT GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD AT THE GENERAL CONVENTION IN CHICAGO.
3. SELF DETERMINATION
4. DIRECT ELECTION OF THE GENERAL PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE BOARD.
5. REGIONAL ELECTION OF THE GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER IN EACH DISTRICT BY DIRECT ELECTION OF THE MEMBERSHIP.
6. REGIONAL ELECTION OF ALL REGIONAL COUNCIL SECRETARIES AND EXECUTIVE BOARDS BY DIRECT ELECTION OF THE MEMBERSHIP.
7. RATIFICATION OF ALL CONTRACTS BY MEMBERS WORKING UNDER THOSE AGREEMENTS.
8. RATIFICATION OF ALL LOCAL UNION AND REGIONAL COUNCIL BYLAWS BY DIRECT VOTE OF THE MEMBERSHIP
Our fight is not one of a union divided between the working membership and local leadership. Our fight is to return to all members the basic rights that we stand for. If we are to elect new leadership, it will have to come from within. We must be the vessel for them to lead from. We want to change the union not destroy it.

Take responsibility for ten brothers and sisters. No one knows them better than you. Copy this newsletter and ask your friends to make ten copies and pass it around. 90% of our members are not on the internet. Only you can reach them. You become 100 - 100 become 1000 - 1000 become 100,000 If our internet journey over the past four months is any indication of the next twelve, McCarron and his stooges will be long gone before we have a chance to vote them out.
CHALLENGE AUTHORITY - DEMAND ANSWERS - ORGANIZE -AGITATE - EDUCATE

an open letter to General President McCarron
from Robert Christie, Local 22, San Francisco, California

General President McCarron,

There is no forum or meeting I can attend that allows me to speak with you directly. To ask you questions, to hear your answers, to give input in the direction you have taken our union. So I thought, I would make my opinions known to you and give you honest feed back on the job you are doing thus far based upon what you say in your editorials.

I have chosen to comment on the only words you speak to me and that is your bi-monthly editorial in the Carpenters Magazine.

Carpenters Magazine - November/December 1999 - How To Improve Conditions - Carpenters Will Get Better Pay When Carpenters Take Action

McCarron: What can the union do, what is the union doing, to improve conditions for carpenters? Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to speak at a number of council meetings, to talk with council delegates, local leaders, and rank-and file members, and that question comes up again and again.

Christie Jr.: What can the union do? - The Union needs to present itself as an organization that puts the members in the forefront. The member is the reason our organization exists. What is the union doing, to improve conditions for carpenters. - The union is consolidating and centralizing its power, and control over the membership and the business operations of their unions. This centralization of power has eliminated the rank and file from any participation in the real operation of the union, the right to govern ourselves and negotiate with our employers.

McCarron: I'm not sure the members asking the question always like my answer, but the truth is, carpenters will get better pay when carpenters take action. From the beginning, this union wasn't built by professional organizers - it was built by rank-and-file carpenters. And that's the only way we'll rebuild it.

Christie Jr.: What is true to you is a falsehood to me. I for one don’t like the heavy handed tactics used by your representatives using your name and position to change the union without democratic consent of the membership. The union was built by men who Self -Determined on a regional basis their own rules and regulations. They then affiliated with the national organization. Laying the blame for your failing organizing plan on the members is unfair. For you to say the responsibility for organizing lays directly in the hands of the membership is shirking your responsibilities. Why would members work for an organization that does not let them ratify their own agreements? Why would members work for an organization that doesn’t allow them to select their leadership? The professional organizers you have hired have a two-fold position within the organization.

1. To organize, here in the San Francisco Bay Area that plan has failed, and the Directors of Organizing are being propped-up by the Executive Secretary Treasurer. Any organizer of conscience or skill have quit in disgust. Millions of membership dollars have been squandered. We know the difference between organizing and talking about organizing. Your credibility is damaged every time you speak of organizing and then allow these impostors to continue.

2. Organizers are political appointees who vote at the will of the executive officer. Any efforts to reform or change the organization are killed by the presidents gavel. The big U union has an overwhelming advantage through their control of the delegates who are often organizers. You are forcing dedicated individuals to support policies over a pay check.

McCarron: There are things the union can do to promote organizing and improve conditions, and we're doing them. We’ve eliminated the bureaucracy and put those resources in the field. We’ve
implemented a fair, unbiased three-day hiring process to select and train full-time organizers from our rank and file (see story page 16). As a result of these things, we now have more than 500 fill-time organizers in the field.

Christie: The so called bureaucracy that was eliminated were full time business agents who were policing union job site. Fewer union jobs are policed, fewer grievance are being filed, employers are freer to abuse dues paying members. The contracts are being violated and business agents are to few to keep up. Your unbiased method of hiring is a three day program, but it is biased. Time and time again I see the sons of business agents being hired as organizers. But, once again I must repeat, what have these organizers done. In Northern California the Business agents have signed more employers than the hundred organizers they have on staff. Any membership growth has been to the booming economy not any organizing success. It is my perception that under your leadership membership is in a free-fall.

McCarron: We've also put our resources into training. To make those organizers more effective, we've developed the most extensive organizer-training program in the labor movement, our two week CORE training, which teaches organizing strategy and focuses on one-on-one, job-site organizing skills.

Christie Jr.: I must ask how much it costs to take 500 organizers out of the field to spend two weeks in a school which has reaped no benefit to the membership. Conservatively organizers cost the organization $1,000 per week - 500 organizers times two weeks must equal close to $1,000,000 in payroll - room board airplane tickets another $1,000,000. Then double it because you require all reps to attend - so lets round these training programs dollars to $4,000,000. Next, I expect you to say it will take another ten years to see any success.

McCarron: We'll expand those efforts in the coming year, continuing the grant program that help small councils hire new organizers and developing training in strategy and tactics for organizing directors. At our new International Training Facility (see page 14),we’ll offer training for council delegates, organizers, and organizing directors, so every staff member and every council delegate understands their role. And we'll bring organizers and council leaders together to review ongoing campaigns and compare tactics, so we learn from every single organizing campaign.

Christie Jr.: Maybe you could include a little something for the stewards and members. The Bay Area once had a tremendous Stewards Program, it has since been sanitized. Once again I read into your message that you offer something to only those who can keep you elected. Lets cut to the chase, your grant program is made to the regional councils who have no members and no work. The Union work resides in the big cities, union members live in the surrounding areas. The best bang for our buck is to organize in those heavily unionized areas.

McCarron: Like I said, there are things the union can do, and we're doing them. But on their own, those efforts will never be enough to improve conditions for carpenters. Think about it. To win better conditions for you at the bargaining table, we need to represent the majority of carpenters working in any market. If we're negotiating for 20 percent or even 50 percent of the carpenters and everybody else is working below the standard, how much real bargaining power do we have? Not much. And even if we win at the bargaining table, our contractors won't be able to compete, and our members will be struggling to find work.

Christie Jr.: To win better conditions at the bargaining table we need elected representation who will represent the membership against the best interests of the employer and union officials who sit on their boards of directors. In our last negotiation your appointee negotiated an inferior contract. Every other trade in northern California got much more than the carpenters. In the bay area we have more than a 50% market share, in some industries we have a 100% market share. Local 34, who’s’ market share is close 100% was put in trusteeship and their work divided up amongst the other locals. Their right to bargain independently taken away. And what does this mean - “And even if we win at the bargaining table, our contractors won't be able to compete, and our members will be struggling to find work.

Are you asking us to take to the streets in support of agreements we can’t vote on - negotiated by people we don’t elect - and then settle for mediocre agreements so that the Employer can be more profitable? Say it ain’t so.

McCarron: In the long run, bringing every job and every carpenter into the union is the only way to get carpenters a better deal. But if we need to organize thousands of nonunion carpenters in your market, we'll never be able to hire enough organizers to talk to everybody. Our agents and organizers can select targets, coordinate campaigns, and lead a concerted effort, but they need your support and participation to make that effort work. Not every member has to knock on the doors of non-union carpenters and tell them about the union, although to succeed, we absolutely must have members willing to help do that.

But if you're a member who wants a better deal, there are all kinds of places to start - getting steward's training, working on political campaigns, even signing up for a journeyman upgrade program and telling a non-union carpenter what you're getting.

But first and foremost, we need members who believe in their union, take an active role in making things better, and understand that organizing is how we get every carpenter a better deal. Because if union carpenters believe they can make things better, then non-union carpenters will too.

Christie: Maybe your writers made a bad choice in the words they choose but members aren’t looking for a deal. Many of us have seen what kind of deals your new union has made. I want something in writing, like a union contract. A contract that I voted on. Leaders who I vote for, even if they lose. An Executive Secretary who must stand for election every few years would be fine. A General President elected by the membership, even if it’s you Doug. I want constitutional rights guaranteed by the United States and by the UBC constitutions.

McCarron: One of the other questions I frequently get asked is, how do you get members to volunteer, to be more active? I say that you tell them the truth: Carpenters will get better pay, when carpenters take action.

Christie Jr.: One way to get members to volunteer is to let them believe they are getting screwed. In my time I have never seen so many carpenters at union meetings. So many non-delegate members at district general convention. Wildcat Strikes, rallies, demonstrations, the UBC is alive and we need to clean up our own house before we invite new guest into it.

Robert Christie Jr. Local 22, San Francisco

Dear Carpenters

This message was found in a folder titled CARPENTERS, which was in my fathers' computer. I am posting this message because I believe my father would want you to read it.

Signed, Robert Christie III Iron Workers 377, apprentice

DRAFT Robert Christie Jr. Carpenters Local 22 San Francisco Ca

I do not believe there is a person with the experience to take over the General Presidents position who is an outsider. The position of General President is complicated and difficult. The person who could handle this job must be someone with experience, knowledge, compassion and the ability to build coalitions between the various factions within the UBC. This person must also be able to rebuild the broken relationships with our brother and sister trade unions.

Furthermore, I do not believe there is a man who is currently employed by the UBC as a representative, who has the courage to run against the McCarron machine.

There are men who have left, who have all the experience we need to take back our union. They will not come forward unless we ask them? I don't know where to start , I do know of one man who believes in the memberships right to vote on contracts and to elect officers in a manner determined by those members effected.

I spoke of many with potential in my articles entitled Carpenters Incorporated. A few of these men are still working for the UBC.

There is one man who has been forcibly retired by McCarron.

One man, who is respected by the rank and file and by his colleagues.

One person who has already stood up to General President Douglas McCarron

Our only hope is to draft him as our candidate.

He is most capable to do the job.

He is someone who will appeal to rank and file members as well as those already in power who are dissatisfied with the McCarron Machine.

He could build a coalition with those paid officials who also want change.

The man I speak of is Jim R. Green

Jim Green was the Executive Secretary of the Bay Counties District Council of Carpenters. He joined Millwrights Local 102 in 1956, elected business agent and financial secretary of millwrights local 102 in 1967. At the time of his forced retirement in 1997 by Doug McCarron, Jim Green had been elected and re-elected by local 102 members. And elected five times as Executive Secretary of the Bay Counties district Council of Carpenters.

Jim Green is respected by management as a fair negotiator and a tough enemy.

He still one of the most respected leaders in the UBC and the Building Trades.

A millwright by trade he had been an outspoken elected representative since he was 28 years old. Jim Green lead one of the most powerful bargaining units in the UBC. Wages and conditions in Northern California were, like Chicago and New York the bench mark for the United States. The standards for the UBC were set by the Northern California rates, in particular the greater San Francisco Bay Area. In 1991, when the top leadership divided and the slates were being picked. Both side, approached Jim Green with offers 2nd General Vice President seat. Jim Green declined, unlike other leaders he went to the floor of the Bay Counties District Council and the membership elected to join the Whitey Rogers Team. Douglas McCarron fears Jim Green.

In 1997, Jim Green was forcibly retired when Doug McCarron re-consolidated Northern California and appointed John Casey. Since Greens departure wages, conditions and the democratic rights of Northern California Carpenters have declined. Jim Greens candidacy would cause many leaders in the UBC to rethink their support for Doug McCarron, even the existing General Officers would have to consider this man as their boss.

Jim Green is known internally and externally throughout the Labor Union Movement. He understands the complexities and subtleties of International Unionism. And he is accessible to the membership.

He has all the credentials we are looking for.

We must draft him as our candidate, we must reach out to him, ask him to step forward and represent us in this cause for our very existence.

You must contact Jim Green and organize others to contact him.

If you know a retired UBC Representative who knows Jim Green you must urge them to contact him and ask him to run.

Be they Whiteys or a Siggie

Rank and File or Business Rep

Don't be afraid to force the discussion.

Find a way.

From: Heaven
Local: 1
Date: 08 Mar 2000

The Ghost of Robert Christie Jr. Issue I No. I By Mr. Ghost

A tired carpenter sits at his computer, looking for hope and a brighter day; he posts a cry for help on the Internet to a dead man - Robert Christie Jr. -

He types - R.C. Jr., if your out there please start to write again I think we as a brotherhood need more help - if you are really dead write anyway?

In heaven God is angry, his son Jesus was a carpenter, his son Jesus was an organizer, and now these weak humans have screwed things up again.

God thinks to himself, - What came first the carpenter or the International President?

God puts down his bourbon and seven and points his cigar directly towards earth, a fire of Biblical Proportions Blasts from his fingertip.

SCREAMINGVOLTSOFFUCKINENERGYFLYTOWARDSEARTH (visualization)

In the last row of graves, near the PG&E main power lines, lightning strikes one of the towers and the live power lines fall across the newly buried remains of Robert Christie Jr. great grandson of Peter J. McGuire and grandson of Robert A. Christie author of - Empire in Wood.

Awakened by a blast of light a tired calloused hand begins to dig its way upward through the soft earth towards the lawn above his grave.

A hand that has seen the horrors of war and the deceit imposed by greedy power hungry bureaucrats who use men a cannon fodder.

A hand that has fought for democracy and free elections in foreign countries, only to see that right stolen from him by unseen faceless men.

A hand that has been broken by work and the boot of the boss.

A hand, that has toiled in the hope of a better day and been slapped down by union bosses and corrupt owners that take rather than give.

A hand that died before the completion of his dream, the return of Democracy to the Carpenters Union.

Tonight - March 8, 2000 - awakened by the cigar of God, this powerful fist drives itself through the surface, trembling with fear into the dark San Francisco fog.

The index finger separates from the fist and points skyward, shaking uncontrollably it turns to write into the soft brown California soil

Ever so slowly the hand begins to respond to the carpenters cry for help.

Three words appear, PASS THE RESOLUTION