Concerned Members

of Local 798

Back Home Next

A LETTER TO THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP OF LOCAL 798

OCTOBER 25, 2005

Regarding Trusteeship

This is a friendly reminder of what we have been through, and what positive directions we need to continue to follow.

As we all now know, our local was in a steady decline for years. At the time, some members knew this and turned a blind eye, while others were completely unaware. Through diligent investigation, reform minded members came to understand how seriously misguided and corrupt our local had become. They, in turn, informed other members. The manipulation of facts and the gall of those involved is still staggering. The mismanagement of our Local and its assets was literally criminal. This discovery resulted in Trusteeship due to the IATSE’s proven allegation of financial malpractice and loss of democratic procedure. Soon after, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Labor and Racketeering Unit convicted our former Business Agent of two class E felonies. We should not forget that a majority of the general membership failed to participate mostly due to fear of retribution or lack of interest, and therein, failed itself.

When Trusteeship was imposed upon us, there were many questions and concerns. John Hall and Mike Proscia were installed by the IATSE to stop the damage and rebuild our local. As is usually expected by the Department of Labor, the Trustees involved the membership in the reform process. This was done through the formation of a number of voluntary Advisory Committees and various sub-committees assigned to investigate and report on specific union problems. Many members created strong bonds to the Jurisdiction and our segregation from Broadway ended. There are no more secrets. Trusteeship has benefited us all.

Recently, John Hall expressed on behalf of the IATSE that Trusteeship would end “as early as possible in 2006.” Apparently, the International feels that, through joint efforts of the committees, greater participation at meetings and the fact that the membership is embracing itself as a solid unit, the “State of Emergency” is over. The International will be returning our sovereignty, and we will again be expected to govern ourselves within the IA.

The first step will be voting on important amendments to our Constitution and then the nominations of a new E-Board at the Membership Meeting on Monday, November 7th.

The proposed changes to our Constitution will allow us to do what nearly every other major local does already. It will allow us to be represented by a professional Business Agent who is not a member of our local and does not have Executive Board power. In the past, our contracts were always negotiated by one of our members. This did not prove to always be in our best interest. Please understand that the proposed amendment would not exclude the hiring of any qualified member; it simply allows for hiring of the most qualified person. The second half of the amendment is to create a full time, elected, Secretary/Treasurer position, another staple in every major Local. This position will provide the Executive Board and all of the members full-disclosed knowledge of the union’s financial affairs.

We need a quorum on Monday, November 7th (545 West 45th Street 2nd floor – 7pm) to vote on our amendments and to nominate Executive Board candidates. Everyone’s participation is imperative to our advancement of Local 798.

With your best interests in mind,
The Concerned Members

Who are the Concerned Members of Local 798?

This group was formed in the fall of 2004 when allegations of corruption and mismanagement caused deep concern among a number of our members in regards to the future and stability of our local. We are members from both crafts, with independent ideas, but united in our effort to achieve the goal of reforming our local.

We are an organization that includes Local 798 members from all jurisdictions. We believe that the authority of our local resides within its membership, and that our local has the ability to negotiate better contracts and healthcare plans. Our local deserves a strong, honest, and elected leadership.

We are proud members of IATSE standing up for what is right, morally and ethically. We endeavor to build a stronger union by empowering its members, and giving them a reason to get, and stay involved.

If you wish to join our effort to build a better union that benefits all of it's members, please join our mailing list.

What is the mission of this organization?

How do I get involved???

REMEMBER!!!

You need to be a paid up (zero balance) member in good standing to vote.

Notice to All Members of Local 798


From: Victor De Nicola, Jr., and
The Concerned Members of Local 798

As of January 4th, 2005, the committee of The Concerned Members of Local 798 will have a not-for-profit checking account at the Queens County Savings Bank.

As everyone knows by now, there is a committee of concerned members that have been meeting, at the very least, once a week to work out the necessary plans to reform our Union into something that we can be proud of again.

This letter is not designed to point fingers or make accusations, but we are all aware of many things that are wrong and have been wrong for a long time now. The committee, under the guidance of The Association for Union Democracy (AUD) and with much hard work and (needless to say) expenses, are trying to do everything we possibly can to right the wrongs that have been taking place in our Local.

We are all (to some measure) in error, even if it is only not attending meetings or being complacent about letting some people stay in office too long, etc.

We all know that every time one calls a lawyer, it costs money. Every time you send a letter, memo or compact disc to the entire membership it costs money. Well, up to this point these costs have come directly out of pocket from just a few members of our Union that have taken it upon themselves to share the truth of the matters at hand with all of our Brothers and Sisters.

Now is the time for those in our membership that are in accordance with the Concerned Members of Local 798, to stand up and show their support!

We will have an Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable ledger created by a C.P.A., who has agreed to help me establish the necessary bookkeeping procedures.

For now we are asking for monetary donations, but in the future we are planning fund-raisers, raffles and educational programs to raise monies. Since I have been keeping record, we have collected monies to help cover the AUD costs, and to help with the postage and printing costs already put out by members of our committee. On December 28, 2004 another member of our committee donated $100.00 to start this bank account. I can assure you that prior to my record keeping there was an extremely large amount of money spent and exchanged.

So, in lieu of what a couple of our Brothers and Sisters may think, we have been collecting monies and making every effort to support one another and especially those who were courageous enough to get the ball rolling (so to speak) regarding this very crucial matter.

Please make your checks payable to: The Concerned Members of Local 798


And mail your donations to:


Victor De Nicola, Jr.
189-39 45th Road
Auburndale, NY 11358

Your check will be your receipt for your donation, but if you would like copies of the Accounts Receivable and Payable you can contact me and I will send them out to you.

Remember, it isn’t how much you donate that matters, but the fact that we have pulled together to try to make this all happen.

Thanking you in advance for your cooperation and joining us in this venture.


I remain very truly yours,
 


Victor De Nicola, Jr.

 More to Come...

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

PLEASE VISIT

WWW.798MEMBERS.COM

Hit Counter

The Concerned Members of Local 798