TO: All Connecticut Construction Local
Unions and Members
FROM: Armand E. Sabitoni, Vice President
and Regional Manager
Over the past few months there has been a
coordinated effort within our locals around the State to push
the issue of rank and file contract ratification. This is part
of an effort to create political divisions in our sister locals
in Connecticut. The issue is being used as part of an ongoing
attack on the strength and unity of the District Council. The
purpose is to promote the narrow interests of a few at the expense
of all our sister locals and members in Connecticut.
The basic point to understand is that rank
and file voting on contract ratification is not the real issue.
The Uniform District Council Constitution for many years has allowed
Council delegates to authorize our negotiation committee to settle
an agreement for one simple reason - because this maximizes the
bargaining power and strength of the negotiation committee in
dealing with the signatory contractors. That united bargaining
strength, in turn, has resulted in many historic gains for our
members including solid pension and health benefit plans, legal
service and annuity funds, competitive wages and benefits, innovative
labor-management cooperation programs that have helped to create
additional union jobs, and job safety and training programs. These
benefits and programs are the keys to our past and future success.
And, the ratification process is democratic because
the Council delegates are in turn elected directly by the membership.
If the members believe that the committee has not done its job,
the delegates can be voted out and replaced at the next local
union election.
On the other hand, direct membership ratification
of the contract adds an element of instability and uncertainty
at the table that dilutes the negotiating committee's strength
and means that the committee may not be able to deliver on the
contract. It means that contractors can try and create divisions
and splits among the special interest of locals in different areas
of the State and play off one faction against another. It also
increases the ability of a few locals to block an agreement that
may be in the best interest of the overall membership.
Practices among various unions vary in terms
of whether there is rank and file contract ratification. Many
union such as ours follow our practice and do not provide for
such ratification while some others do. In any event, there is
a recognized method within our Union to change the ratification
procedure if that is the majority's wish and that is by resolution
to amend the Constitution at the upcoming convention in 2001.
In the meantime, do not be fooled into allowing a few politically
ambitious people to misuse this issue to advance their own interests
at your expense.
cc: Connecticut Laborers' District Council
The attached correspondence is for your information
and/of attention.
If there is anything further you wish to
know regarding same, please advise. Please read the attached at
your next local union meeting
Armand E. Sabitoni
Vice President and
Regional Manager
LABORERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
226 South Main Street
Providence, RI 02903