Richard Beckenbach. President
Charles LeConche Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
January 6. 1999
Armand E. Sabitoni, Vice President and Regional
Manager
Laborers' International Union of North America
226 South Main
Street Providence, RI 02903
Re: Connecticut Laborers' District Council Dues Distribution Meeting
Connecticut Laborers' Fund Office,
West Haven, Connecticut
This is to advise you of an incident that
occurred during a meeting held regarding the above-captioned matter.
As you are aware, negotiations with the Associated General Contractors
and the Connecticut Construction Industries Association will soon
commence I thought it would be appropriate at the conclusion of
today's meeting that I set a date to discuss proposals with the
Business Managers of our affiliated local unions, In a diplomatic
and professional manner, I again solicited proposals and input
from all in attendance. After a considerable discussion by others,
Local Union 665 Business Manager, Ronald Nobili, began to discuss
his proposal relative to the carryover provision in the first
year of the contract and how he felt it should apply. After he
concluded, I indicated that all proposals will be reviewed and,
as always, the majority would determine which proposals would
be presented to the associations. Brother Nobili then became loud,
belligerent, and initiated an unprovoked display of anger which
included vulgar remarks directed at me personally, as well as
physically pounding on the table. It was apparent to me that Brother
Nobili was attempting to provoke a physical confrontation similar
to the incident with Business Manager Shaun Cashman in Pomfret,
Connecticut.
Brother Nobili's outburst destroyed what
had been a very productive meeting that, in my view, would have
set the tone for negotiations. Given the importance of the upcoming
contract negotiations, I cannot and will not tolerate this type
of behavior from a Business Manager on our committee. If Mr.Nobili's
disruptive and abusive conduct continues, I will be seeking your
support to remove him from the negotiating committee and replace
him with an officer from his local union.
With kind regards, I remain
s/Charles T. LeConche
Charles T. LeConche
Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
cc Michael Bearse, General Counsel
Robert Cheverie, Esq.
All affiliated construction locals