Union Democracy Review
July, 1999
no. 125
Published by the Association
for Union Democracy
Story in Laborers' Hiring Halls?
Back in 1996, the Laborers adopted a model set of job referral rules that presumably
required locals to assign jobs "in a fair and equitable manner." The rules, as
printed on paper, could actually impose a fair hiring system, a spectacular achievement in
the construction trades, if they were enforced. Are they really enforced or are they just
a public relations gimmick? That's the overwhelming question.
In his report in the March/April issue of The Laborer, General
Executive Board Attorney Robert Luskin is quite satisfied. He writes, "Results of
Compliance Reviews: At the direction of the GEB Attorney, the Regional Offices have
conducted on-site reviews assessing the compliance of each LIUNA hiring hall with the
Amended Job Referral Rules. The results show that the overwhelming majority of local
unions are in substantial compliance, with minor administrative discrepancies."
Sounds lovely, even too good to be true. We remain skeptical because his report does not
square with all the facts.
How has he arrived at his rosy conclusion? His report seems
obviously based not upon any investigation independent of the union power structure but
upon the union's own Regional Office reviews. Would he expect officials to report that
they permit wholesale violation of rules which are really imposed upon them because of
pressure from government monitors? What information, if any, has Mr. Luskin received, not
from union officials, but from rank and file members?
In April, Nick Brkich wrote about the situation in his California
Local 300, "The Laborers that don't sympathize with the business manager's politics
are kept on the blacklist and those few who dare to publicly manifest themselves against
the arbitrariness of our representatives are punished, threatened, and
intimidated..."
What he writes squares with what other Laborers have experienced:
Back in 1995,almost four years ago,Inspector General Douglas Gow reported, "By far
the most frequent complaint we receive concerns inequity in the job referral
process." [Laborer,Nov/Dec]
He had already received almost 100 hiring hall complaints. We must
assume that there have been hundreds of others by now. What has happened to those
complaints? How were they resolved? How many are still pending?
Gow writes in March/April that he intends to provide "the
tools that will allow disclosure to the membership concerning the finances, job
dispatching, and membership record handling of their local unions and district
councils." He could begin by reporting on all those complaints.
It would be instructive to learn from members,not officials, if
they are referred to jobs without discrimination or favoritism; if their officers are
demanding exclusive hiring hall provisions in their contracts; if the rules are
"conspicuously posted"; if copies are available to members; if referral records
are accurately maintained and available for inspection. Luskin's undocumented and
unsubstantiated blanket claim of "substantial compliance" tells us nothing
except that he and LIUNA officials are satisfied, self-satisfied.
In other respects Gow's report on "Statistical
accomplishments to March 1,1999" indicates progress: 191 individuals
"removed" for criminal or ethical violations; 59 forced to resign; 20
trusteeships imposed; 41 officers removed in 15 "problem" locals and districts;
$625,000 recovered for the union.
But the future fate of decency and democracy in this construction
union, like all others, depends upon the right of members to work in dignity, under fair
rules, without fear or favor. On that subject, LIUNA members have learned little from the
union monitors.
What's the real story in Laborers' hiring halls?
Association for Union Democracy
500 State Street
Brooklyn NY 11217
phone: 718 855-6650
fax: 718 855-6799
aud@igc.org
www.uniondemocracy.com
The Association for Union Democracy is a national pro-union non-profit that promotes the principles and practices of internal union democracy in the North American labor movement.
Union Democracy for a Strong Labor Movement