New Leadership and MRCC Members Build New Future - 1

Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights
New Leadership and MRCC
Members Build New Future
Dear MRCC members:
Since the August 20th MRCC Executive
Board Elections, we have received numerous
questions about the results of the election and
how those results may affect the different Locals
and the Council as a whole.
After lengthy discussions, the MRCC Executive
Board Committee has decided to send out
a newsletter to address these questions and
communicate the priorities and vision we share
for the future.
Since you will receive this at the onset of the
holiday season, I would like to wish everyone a
safe, healthy and happy holiday season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Mike Jackson
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Michigan Regional Council of
Carpenters and Millwrights
MRCC Executive Board
(L-R, front row) Tyler McCastle, Vice President; Mike Jackson, Executive
Secretary-Treasurer; Richard G. Davis, President; Frank Benson, Warden
(L-R, back row) Peter Harvatin, Conductor; Victor Walter, Trustee;
Charlie Jackson, Committee Member; Chad Miller, Committee Member;
Bart Nickerson, Trustee; Brian Kerrigan, Trustee
Let me begin by addressing your
questions regarding our priorities and goals.
I am very aware we are in the midst of
trying times. Please know, as your executive
secretary-treasurer, my primary concern
has been to restore fiscal responsibility and
improve our financial position so that we
can get our members back to work.
We must begin by rebuilding our
strategic reserves. We cannot safely and
effectively organize or represent our
Mike Jackson
members without adequate reserves. We
Executive
must make fiscal responsibility our first
Secretary-Treasurer
priority.
We have already instituted cost-cutting measures. Our executive
committee has taken significant steps to cut discretionary spending. We have
cut our advertising budget, consultants and the fees of those remaining.
With new leadership and a new philosophy, we are making tough but
critical decisions. Our union is moving forward and gaining strength each
day. Once we stand on stronger financial ground, we will be better able
to organize, to build our market share and to create the jobs so sorely
needed for our members and our state.
I believe organizing is key to a strong union. Even in this difficult economy,
we must increase our organizing efforts in order to keep our market share
and secure jobs that will ultimately elevate the standard of living for all of us.
As we look to the future, I am confident we are now on a path that will
lead us back to a more prosperous, stable union. Our greatest strength
stems from our hardworking, dedicated and highly skilled membership.
Though it will require a concerted effort to work together and face the
future as a leaner, more aggressive organization, I am confident we will
achieve all that we set out to accomplish.
My connection to the Michigan
Regional Council of Carpenters goes
back a long way, even before my own
24 years of membership. For me, union
work is and has always been the family
business. My family has worked in
construction for decades. My father,
Donald Davis, has been a carpenter
and union member for over 60 years.
My four brothers are carpenters, as are
several of my nephews, cousins, and
Richard G. Davis
other family members. As you know,
Executive Board
my brother, Mike Davis, who recently
President
retired, is past president of this Council,
a role I was honored to earn myself.
As we move the MRCC into 2010, I will lead by example. I
understand that times in Michigan are harder than ever before, and
we are all impacted by these economic conditions. From rising health
care costs to pensions, these are trying times we face. But we will face
them together.
It is time now to work with our contractors. As we adapt to our
circumstances and implement changes, we will not lose sight of all
that our forefathers worked so hard to obtain for the union.
I take my obligation to you, our membership, very seriously. I
want you to be part of the process, to share your opinions, and
be confident you will be heard and your ideas will be taken into
consideration.
My focus, and the focus of our new leadership, must be on fiscal
responsibility. Though difficult decisions will have to be made, I
believe our members are strongest when we stand united toward a
common goal – preserving and protecting our future.
Michigan Regional Council
of Carpenters & Millwrights
Mike Jackson
Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Executive Board
In these trying times, please know as your executive secretary-treasurer, my primary
concern is to restore our fiscal responsibility and improve our financial position. Once
we stand on stronger ground, we will be better able to organize, to build our market
share and to create the jobs needed for our members throughout our state.
Phone: (313) 832-3887 Fax: (313) 832-1578
Address: 3800 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1200, Detroit, MI 48201
Richard G. Davis
President, Executive Board
President, Local 687
My focus, and the focus of our new leadership, must be on fiscal responsibility. Though
difficult decisions will have to be made, I believe our members are strongest when we
stand united. I take my obligation to you, our membership, very seriously. I want you to
be part of the process and to share your opinions. Be confident you will be heard.
Phone: (313) 832-3887 Fax: (313) 832-1578
Address: 3800 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1200, Detroit, MI 48201
Tyler McCastle
Vice President, Executive Board
Vice President, Local 1004
Delegate to Council, Local 1004
As a member for 22 years, I am excited and honored to serve with a team focused
on and dedicated to organizing. Through this initiative, we have the ability to grow
and enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve. Thank you for the
opportunity to serve as your vice president.
Phone: (517) 484-1301 Fax: (517) 484-7576
Address: 2310 W. Washtenaw, Lansing, MI 48917
Brian Kerrigan
Trustee, Executive Board
Vice President, Local 1510
Delegate to Council, Local 1510
In my role as trustee, I will work toward creating a new standard of communication,
confidence, and trust among the Council, our membership, and all active participants of
our organization. I believe we now have the ability to reach our full potential and create
opportunities for the good of our membership. As a board member, I will act with insight,
honesty and integrity. In all I do, I will strive to be productive, disciplined and determined as
we search for new ways to educate and mobilize our membership.
Marquette Office:
Escanaba Office:
Phone (906) 228-2913 Fax (906) 225-1787
Phone (906) 789-1670 Fax (906) 789-1692
Address: 1221 Division St.
Address: 1219 1st Avenue South
Marquette, MI 49855
Escanaba, MI 49829
2
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights
Executive Board
Bart Nickerson
Victor Walter
Trustee, Executive Board
Trustee, Executive Board
President, Local 202
Delegate to Council, Local 202
It is my pleasure to represent
the MRCC as trustee of the
Executive Board. I look forward
to working alongside Mike
Jackson and the Council’s
leadership as we seek out
opportunities to strengthen the
future of our industry.
Phone: (734) 944-5317
Fax: (734) 944-7628
Address: 1404 Industrial Park Road, Suite 2, Saline, MI 48176
As a proud MRCC member for
33 years, I pledge to work on
behalf of the membership to get
our finances in order so that we
can, once again, organize from a
position of strength.
Phone: (231) 932-8946
Fax: (231) 932-8947
Address: P.O. Box 1904, Traverse City, MI 49685
Peter Harvatin
Frank Benson
Conductor, Executive Board
Financial Secretary, Local 100
Delegate to Council, Local 100
Warden, Executive Board
Financial Secretary, Local 1102
Delegate to Council, Local 1102
As a union member for more
than 20 years, I am focused on
representing all MRCC members as
we work to secure the best wages,
benefits and working conditions
possible. As an elected steward
of our members’ resources, I
am committed to being fiscally
responsible, and will only support and recommend decisions that
best serve our rank-and-file members in procuring work – today and
in the future – through organizing and training.
A millwright since 1974, my
goal as warden is to grow
and strengthen this Local
and Council. We will stay
focused on servicing our
members and contractors,
building on our strengths,
and working as a team to
address future challenges. I am grateful for this
opportunity and proud to be in a position to serve as
an agent of positive change.
Phone: (616) 837-1500 Fax: (616) 837-1200
Address: MRCC Local 100, 140 N. 64th Ave., Coopersville, MI 49404
Phone: (586) 756-3610 Fax: (586) 756-0376
Address: 23401 Mound Road, Warren, MI 48091-2095
Charlie Jackson
Chad Miller
Committee Member, Executive Board
Recording Secretary, Local 687
Director of Organizing
Committee Member, Executive Board
Financial Secretary, Local 525
Delegate to Council, Local 525
I feel that the MRCC has turned
a corner in this current economic
downturn. We must be ready
to organize as soon as the work
becomes available, and it will.
We must use our resources
wisely. Our tradesmen must be
as highly trained as possible.
We will focus on coordinated statewide campaigns and defend
our trade jurisdiction like we never have before to serve our
membership.
I consider this an exciting time to
embrace creative, new ideas and
to revisit successful ventures of
the past. I believe our Council can
gain market share in a shrinking
economy if we continue to seek
new efficiencies and control our
spending. I appreciate the culture
of open, honest and constructive dialogue that has been recently
established, and I believe it will foster a greater sense of trust
among the Council, MRCC delegates and rank-and-file members.
Phone: (313) 832-3887 Fax: (313) 832-1578
Address: 3800 Woodward Ave., Suite 1200, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: (800) 655-3907 Fax: (269) 383-6932
Address: 3617 Gembrit Circle, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights
3
Carpenters Local 100
140 N. 64th Ave. • Coopersville, MI 49404 • 616.837.1500
Peter Harvatin
Financial Secretary
Delegate to Council
Conductor,
Executive Board
Robert Decker
Conductor
Andrew Plate
President
Delegate to Council
Eric Forbear
Delegate to Council
Trustee
David Marcellus
Recording Secretary
Michael Howard
Delegate to Council
Trustee
Travis Fairbanks
Vice President
Delegate to Council
Local 100 delegates
(L-R) Travis Fairbanks, Eric Forbear, Andrew Plate, Peter Harvatin,
Michael Howard, Jason Vires
Nancy Gleason
Treasurer
Paul J. Dykhouse
Warden
Jason Vires
Delegate to Council
Trustee
Carpenters Local 202
P.O. Box 1904 • Traverse City, MI 49685 • 231.932.8946
William Bielas
Financial Secretary
Delegate to Council
Victor Walter
President
Delegate to Council
Trustee, Executive Board
Russell Smith
Recording Secretary
Herb Bronkema
Vice President
Delegate to Council
Frederick Michelin
Conductor
Mark Andersen
Warden
Robert Barlow
Delegate to Council
Trustee
Timothy Dowd
Trustee
Joel Smeltzer
Trustee
Local 202 delegates
Kevin Ball
Treasurer
(L-R) Herb Bronkema, Robert Barlow, William Bielas, Victor Walter
Carpenters Local 525
3617 Gembrit Circle • Kalamazoo, MI 49001
269.345.8601
Chad Miller
Financial Secretary
Delegate to Council
Committee Member,
Executive Board
James Hahn
President
Delegate to Council
Christopher Poplawski
Recording Secretary
Local 525 delegates
(L-R) Frank Scott, Jr., Arther Anderson, Vince Dawe, Chad Miller,
Kevin Hinz, James Hahn, Jeffrey Taylor
4
Jeffrey Taylor
Vice President
Delegate to Council
Frank Scott, Jr.
Treasurer
Delegate to Council
Kevin Hinz
Conductor
Delegate to Council
George Rosenburg
Warden
Arther Anderson
Delegate to Council
Trustee
Vince Dawe
Delegate to Council
Trustee
Robert Gaston
Trustee
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights
Carpenters Local 687
Local 687 delegates
(L-R) David Pehrson, Brian Kelley, Scott Lowes, Robert Makowski,
Dick Reynolds, Toney Stewart, Nick McCreary
Carpenters Local 706
3800 Woodward Avenue • Suite 1200 • Detroit, MI 48201
313.832.3887
Jeff Beaumont
Scott D. Lowes
Warden
Financial Secretary
Delegate to Council
Brian J. Kelley
Richard G. Davis
Delegate to Council
President
Trustee
President, Executive Board
Robert Makowski
Charlie Jackson
Delegate to Council
Recording Secretary
Trustee
Committee Member,
Executive Board
Nick McCreary
Delegate to Council
David Pehrson
Vice President
Toney Stewart
Delegate to Council
Delegate to Council
Bryan Davis
Russell Peters
Treasurer
Trustee
Dick Reynolds
Conductor
Delegate to Council
1400 W. Genesee Ave. • Saginaw, MI 48602-5146 • 989.753.1487
Leon Turnwald
Financial Secretary
Delegate to Council
Thomas Groulx
Conductor
Delegate to Council
Darrell Maciag
President
Delegate to Council
Steven Plummer
Warden
David Maciag
Recording Secretary
David Kramer
Delegate to Council
Trustee
George Heilbronn
Vice President
Delegate to Council
Aubrey Woods
Delegate to Council
Donald Erndt, Jr.
Treasurer
Delegate to Council
Douglas Bushey
Trustee
Dennis Keel
Trustee
Local 706 delegates
(L-R) Donald Erndt, Jr., Darrell Maciag, Thomas Groulx, George
Heilbronn, Leon Turnwald (Not pictured: David Kramer, Aubrey Woods)
Carpenters Local 1004
2310 W. Washtenaw • Lansing, MI 48917 • 517.484.1301
Todd McCastle
Financial Secretary
Delegate to Council
Kevin Klingler
President
Delegate to Council
Local 1004 delegates
(L-R) Kevin Klingler, Tyler McCastle, Jason Richardson, Burton Bird,
Eric Patrick, Alexander Presley, Sr., Todd McCastle
Jason Richardson
Recording Secretary
Delegate to Council
Tyler McCastle
Vice President
Vice President,
Executive Board
Delegate to Council
David Martz
Treasurer
Burton Bird
Conductor
Delegate to Council
Nathan Vanskike
Warden
Eric Patrick
Delegate to Council
Trustee
Alexander Presley, Sr.
Delegate to Council
Trustee
Ted Shotwell
Trustee
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights
5
INTERIOR SYSTEMS Local 1045
23401 Mound Road • Suite 202 • Warren, MI 48091
586.756.2111
Pashko Gjonaj
Thomas Lutz
Conductor
Financial Secretary
Delegate to Council
Shawn Curell
Warden
Robert Horner
President
Laurence McCool
Delegate to Council
Delegate to Council
Trustee
Richard Williamson
Recording Secretary
Daniel Pegg
Delegate to Council
Delegate to Council
Local 1045 delegates
James Clark
Vice President
(L-R) Thomas Lutz, Daniel Pegg, Richard Williamson, Laurence
McCool, Edward Musser, Matthew VanHollebeke, Robert Horner
Edward Musser
Treasurer
Delegate to Council
Matthew VanHollebeke
Delegate to Council
Trustee
Tod Sandy
Trustee
millwrights Local 1102
23401 Mound Road • Warren, MI 48091 • 586.756.3610
Frank Benson
Financial Secretary
Delegate to Council
Warden, Executive Board
Greg Abbott
President
Delegate to Council
Michael Barnwell
Delegate to Council
Jeffrey Buckler
Delegate to Council
Marty Hall
Delegate to Council
Bland Poletis
Recording Secretary
Paul Jewell
Delegate to Council
Kelly Raleigh
Vice President
Matthew Stransky
Delegate to Council
Jeffrey Tharrett
Treasurer
Michael Fanelli
Trustee
Robert Biernacki
Conductor
John Skurya
Trustee
Gary Mabry
Warden
Joseph Tocco
Trustee
Local 1102 delegates
(L-R) Jeffrey Buckler, Michael Barnwell, Frank Benson, Greg
Abbott, Paul Jewell, Marty Hall, Matthew Stransky
automated systems local 1123
23401 Mound Road • Warren, MI 48091 • 586.757.0780
Christopher Bloodworth
Financial Secretary
Delegate to Council
Darrell Robertson
President
Delegate to Council
David Baloga
Recording Secretary
Local 1123 delegates
(L-R) Darrell Robertson, Mark Redd, Christopher Bloodworth
6
Daniel Molloy
Vice President
John Wagg III
Treasurer
Steve Wizinsky
Conductor
Gregory Sobeck
Warden
Mark Redd
Delegate to Council
Jeffrey Brown
Trustee
James Bugosh
Trustee
Robert Wisniewski, Jr.
Trustee
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights
residential carpenters
Local 1234
23401 Mound Road • Suite 202 • Warren, MI 48091
586.759.0080
Local 1234 Delegates
(L-R) Mark Beever, Jason Ruffles, Darin Baydoun, William Goble,
Gerald Carlisle, Mark Boyce, Patrick Lindstrom
Patrick Lindstrom
Financial Secretary
Delegate to Council
William Goble
Conductor
Delegate to Council
Mark Beever
President
Delegate to Council
Gerald Carlisle
Warden
Delegate to Council
Darin Baydoun
Recording Secretary
Delegate to Council
Mark Boyce
Delegate to Council
Trustee
Edward Glass
Vice President
Jason Ruffles
Delegate to Council
Trustee
John Lombardi
Treasurer
Richard Wenzel, Jr.
Trustee
CARPENTERS Local 1510
Escanaba Office:
1219 1st Avenue South • Escanaba, MI 49829 • 906.789.1670
Marquette Office:
1221 Division Street • Marquette, MI 49855 • 906.228.2913
William Gehrke
Financial Secretary
Delegate to Council
Eric Paavola
Conductor
Delegate to Council
Michael Parrett
President
Delegate to Council
Brian Brugman
Warden
Jay Matthews
Recording Secretary
Delegate to Council
Brian Kerrigan
Vice President
Trustee,
Executive Board
Delegate to Council
John Kositzky
Treasurer
Gregory Gardner
Delegate to Council
Trustee
Lyle Merrill
Delegate to Council
Jay Carlson
Trustee
Robert Goodson
Trustee
Local 1510 delegates
(L-R) Gregory Gardner, Michael Parrett, Brian Kerrigan, Jay
Matthews, Lyle Merrill, Eric Paavola, William Gehrke
Say ‘no’ to misleading MiWater proposal
You may already be familiar with the MiWater ballot initiative circulating our state. The proposal claims
“There is no Pure Michigan without Pure Water.” Spearheaded by MIWater.org, this grassroots effort to
gather 450,000 signatures from Michigan residents would halt currently scheduled Upper Peninsula
nickel mining projects that aim to bring in new jobs and boost our state’s energy reserves. It is in the best
interest of this union and our state that you refrain from signing such a misleading proposal.
Please consider the impact this initiative could have on our already suffering economy. At a time like this, we work
to create more jobs, not eliminate them. The proposal threatens to stop an 8-year-long nickel mining project that would
otherwise be completed in a safe manner by a company known for restoring the environment upon the project’s completion.
Proponents of this ballot initiative use scare tactics and misleading information to suggest that such mining expeditions would
threaten the water supply and wildlife. Wealthy property owners in the Upper Peninsula do not understand the impact this ballot
proposal would have on jobs in Michigan.
Properly executed, I am confident the work will be done safely and effectively, preserving the environment while reaping serious
energy and economic benefits. Please do not sign the MiWater ballot initiative.
Mike Jackson, Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights
7
3800 WOODWARD AVE., SUITE 1200
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48201
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DETROIT, MI
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MICHIGAN REGIONAL COUNCIL
OF CARPENTERS AND MILLWRIGHTS
God Bless America!
Merry Christmas
from our
union
family
to yours