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Meet the representativesRank-and-file carpenters elected to Council Executive CommitteeDemocracy is alive and well in our Regional Council; all three member-at-large positions on the Council Executive Committee were contested in last month’s officer elections. According to the bylaws, these positions represent each district in the Council. At the urging of Executive Officer Bob Alvarado, these seats are reserved for rank-and-file carpenters to ensure that working members have a voice in the Council. This month, we introduce the newly elected-or re-elected-rank-and-file members of the union’s Executive Committee. Central District
"I think this [election] was a mandate, not just for me, but for the whole team,"Brother Halloran said. "The smart vote went the right direction, recognizing the hard work we’ve been doing.” Halloran believes the biggest challenge the union faces is winning work for members. "A lot of the time, it is behind the scenes, protecting what we have,"he said. "I think that sometimes it is unappreciated-the research, negotiations and lobbying that go into winning the work is critical.” Brother Halloran is running work for Amoroso at Pittsburgh High School. The job is covered by a Project Stabilization Agreement, and there are currently 80 carpenters on the site. "I’m traveling 100 miles a day for work, but I feel fortunate,"Halloran said. "Members come by asking for even a day or two of work, and it is hard to tell them I have nothing for them. I know what it’s like. I remember in 1991, I was number 404 on the list. Don’t get discouraged, keep hitting the pavement. These are tough times, but we’re going to come out of this.” Northern District
"Being able to listen and participate and get involved-it’s a great feeling,"Carrillo said after attending his first Executive Committee meeting in Oakland. He says the challenge facing the union is keeping the trust of the members moving forward. "It’s a delicate but important task,"Carrillo noted. One way Carrillo plans to help is by carrying out a campaign promise to get to every local in the Northern District at least once a year. "I believe that membership participation is the key to success. I have a genuine love for my union, and I want to show that commitment,"he said. "I am looking forward to seeing members in their union halls.” Currently, Brother Carrillo works in Elk Grove for Balfour–Beatty on a water treatment plant. He hasn’t worked for this contractor before, but says his skills have paid off. "The secret to 25 years is to learn the trade, make friends and stay focused,"he says. He is not running work, but instead is focused on union activities and encouraging apprentices to get involved. Southern District
She believes our biggest challenge is healthcare. "So far, we’re managing pretty well,"she says. "I see other trades making cuts. We need to protect our benefits until we get past this challenging economy." Martinez says we face some difficult choices. "This is complicated stuff. We have to be sensitive, and respect other’s views.” Martinez works for Kaiser as a project engineer. She reports that they have less work than last year and are seeing cutbacks, but there is still plenty to do work at the San Jose facility where she works. "I’m excited by the opportunity to serve on the Executive Committee, and I thank the delegates for their support,"she says. "I haven’t mastered it- I’m definitely still learning. But it is cool to be a voice for members’ input.” |
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Brother Jim Halloran is the President of Local 22 in San Francisco, and the longest serving in this position. Originally, Alvarado appointed Halloran to replace Darrell "Shorty"Thacker, and Halloran has since been elected twice, serving six years so far.
Brother Manny Carrillo is an active member and Council Delegate from Local 46 in Sacramento. He is the newest member of the Executive Committee, winning election last month over former member Joel Vazquez.
Sister Laurie Martinez is the Recording Secretary of Local 405 in San Jose, and has just been elected to her first full term. She was first appointed a year and a half ago when Bill Evans retired. At the first meeting after the election, she said, "I took [the position] seriously from the beginning. The difference is that now I understand more, so I’m speaking up and asking more questions.”