Sullivan still talking with Carpenters

The AFL-CIO Building Trades Department has gone through some "pretty rough waters" over the last year, but "I am confident that we will arrive at a solution that meets the needs of the AFL-CIO, the Carpenters, and our Building Trades Department," said department President Edward C. Sullivan.

Speaking at the 44th annual Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council last week, Sullivan's initial comments were an update on the Carpenters International Union's break earlier this year with the AFL-CIO and the Building Trades Department.

Sullivan said it was important for "cool heads to prevail on our worksites," because in the past few months, Carpenters President McCarron has been engaged in a continuing dialogue with himself and AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, with former Labor Secretary John Dunlop facilitating.

On the political front, Sullivan said voters from union households made up 26% of the electorate at the polls last November - "higher than ever - and that has helped the trades with our ability to build bridges with moderate Republicans in the House and Senate, we've actually been able to move the White House on some key issues."

Sullivan said the top priority of the labor movement is still organizing.

"It is all-important to us because we in the construction industry depend on our legislative and political power more than any other part of the labor movement," he said. "That power comes from people - our members and their families - going to polls and supporting candidates at all levels of government who support us."

Painters help Paint the Town

Union painters and workers from other crafts brought a professional touch to the annual Paint the Town project earlier this month, which saw hundreds of volunteers paint 80 homes of needy people in Detroit, Highland Park and Pontiac.

The program, which began in 1988, assists elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners take care of outside work, especially painting.

John George of Blight Busters, a nonprofit group working with Ford, said: "The work is not just about beautification. Our goal is to help stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods." Thanks to everyone who gave time to the event.

Bernard Weinberg, Jr., an apprentice with the Painters District Council 22 training program, participated in the annual Paint the Town project.