United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local Union 608

UBC Local Union 608
Full name The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America - Local Union 608
Founded January 18, 1918
Date dissolved December 14, 2010
UBC Local 157
Members 7,500 (2007)
Affiliation N.Y.C. District Council of Carpenters
Key people Tommy McGonnigle, President (Final Officer)
Country United States
Website www.local608.org

United Brotherhood of Carpenters - Local Union 608 is currently affiliated with the N.Y.C. District Council of Carpenters and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. It was granted a charter on January 18, 1918. Located in New York City, New York, the jurisdiction of the Local covers the western half of Manhattan, Harlem and the Bronx borough. It has approximately 7500 members.

History

Often referred to as the Irish Local because of the history of Irish Leadership and majority of the membership is of Irish descent, it has struggled through the years to maintain its independence. Many of it members have been trained in several areas of Carpentry, including Drywall, Finish Work, Concrete, Scaffolding and others. Local Union 608 officially disbanded after 92 years, December 14, 2010.[1]

Objective

Local 17

After some financial improprieties at Local Union 17 (Bronx), it was merged into Local Union 608 after a brief trusteeship in 1999. The jurisdiction of the Bronx is often referred to as Local 608 North

Leadership

From the period of 2009 forward, the local has had several leaders serve as President of the local. Unfortunately, these leaders have been removed by either the General President, or the Federally appointed Review Officer for various reasons. This has demoralized the membership and has prevented the local from moving forward, as their attention is pointed inward, and the membership is splintered into competing factions.

Local 157

After a period of time during 2009 - 2010, the International United Brotherhood of Carpenters decided to dissolve the local on December 14, 2010, and merge the members into Local Union 157, which currently covers the East Side of Manhattan. At a future date, another local may be created in Manhattan to take over the jurisdiction of Interior Systems. This has brought the membership of Local 157 into the 10,000 member range.[2]

Executive leadership

President

Mafia influence

It has been long reported that the leadership has been under Mafia Influence, although it has not been proven on many occasions [11][12][12]

References

  1. http://www.irishemigrant.com/ie/go.asp?p=story&storyID=8119
  2. "Mob-scarred carpenters Local 608 shut down after racketeering convictions". Nydailynews.com. 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  3. "Another carpenters union leader bites the dust as Michael Murphy's booted from his post". Nydailynews.com. 2010-11-25. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  4. "Carpenters union Local 608 axes yet another president, fourth one this year, just month into term". Nydailynews.com. 2010-09-23. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  5. "Carpenters Union president Joe Firth axed, accused of preferential hiring for Ground Zero jobs". Nydailynews.com. 2010-08-23. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  6. "New Carpenters Local 608 head Martin Devereaux was once convicted of taking bribes". Nydailynews.com. 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Federal Bureau of Investigation - The New York Division: Department of Justice Press Release". Newyork.fbi.gov. 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  8. "Federal Bureau of Investigation - The New York Division: Department of Justice Press Release". Newyork.fbi.gov. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  9. http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/July10/fordemichaelpleapr.pdf
  10. "Vincent Cafaro declaration on Genovese crime family control of NY carpenters District Council". Thelaborers.net. 1990-08-28. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  11. "Carpenters Independent Investigator Silo report (Richard Gotti)". Thelaborers.net. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  12. 12.0 12.1 "Prosecutors Say Tapes Show Mob Infiltrating Carpenter Union - New York Times". Nytimes.com. 1987-11-02. Retrieved 2010-12-27.

External links