Organizing the Unemployed

left: Conrad A. Albrizio's The New Deal

This morning starting at 7am at our Union Hall unemployed carpenters made their first steps towards self-organization. Over 120 out of work carpenters signed the petition organized by Local 713 Unemployed Carpenters to send a message to our union’s Executive Board. The union needs to listen up and “provide more effective economic and other support to our out-of-work carpenters.” This petition, while a small step in fighting for our rights, was greeted with near unanimous approval of carpenters wether they were recently laid-off or and some carpenters who’ve been off work for more than a year.

One of the petitioners was a former Vice President of the Local out of work for 4-months, the other a former Recording Secretary of Local 713 out of work 7-months. At last week's Local union meeting we discovered that our Regional Council had set aside hardship funds for every local. Some locals had bought groceries for members. Our local had sat on these funds for almost 6-months, without spending a penny of the $10,000 that has accumulated. The anger at the meeting was incredible. The same was true at our out-of-work roll call this morning.

Many members signed the petition because they were old wildcat strikers, others asked questions and some even weren't sure of the concept of a petition. One older Latino worker sat at a table where other Latinos gathered around him. He would call us back every 10 minutes having convinced more workers to sign the petition. One worker told us, "I don't even need to read the petition, these guys always fight for the members." This worker told us he was one of the 5 million Americans that cannot get health insurance because of his pre-existing condition. Some of the loyalists to the full-time staff, signed the petition with great reluctance, but felt the pressure of the other members. I overheard a union official order one unemployed member that they 'needed to do this,' to which he responded "don't tell me what to do. You are not my f****** boss!" People looked over their shoulders and smiled in a kind of mild approval at the member's defiance.

Often when people signed the petition they told us a little snippet of their life. Two Bosnian carpenters told us of life in a war zone and their sadness that they are unemployed here cut off from their roots, but added that this is home for their kids now. We shared a laugh with a Eastern European worker who's parents named him Elvis.

Many workers spoke of how close to the edge they feel. Their anxiety and anger about being skilled workers in a society that cannot utilize their talents. One worker summed up a general feeling, "two years ago we'd get 5 or 6 jobs come into the hall every day, now its up to a month before one job comes in." People are feeling like they are slowly sinking on the out-of-work list.
Next week we'll deliver the petition to the Executive Board and report back to the unemployed. And if nothing is done, then Local 713 Unemployed Carpenters have phone numbers and emails of 120 carpenters who want some action now!