WASHINGTON - Most delegates to the annual AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department's annual legislative conference April 15-18 may have assumed that resolving jurisdictional issues and coming to terms with the return of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) to the building trades would be the priorities.

Instead, the headlines were made during a passionate, unscripted speech by International Union of Painters and Allied Trades President Michael E. Monroe, who questioned the accomplishments of BCTD President Edward Sullivan and announced that he is a candidate for Sullivan's position.

As if to emphasize his point, on April 18, Monroe resigned from the general presidency of the IUPAT. In a prepared statement, the union said Monroe would "pursue the interests of all working members and their families under the umbrella of the AFL-CIO."

James A. Williams, the IUPAT's general secretary, was elected by the general executive board as Monroe's successor.

Sullivan, who hails from the Elevator Constructors, has served about 18 months of a five-year term in leading the national building trades. During his speech, he listed the department's accomplishments and called on delegates to rise above the "divisiveness that would tear us apart," and "unite for the benefit of the construction industry."

Monroe asked to speak, and told the 2,300 assembled delegates of his intention to challenge Sullivan for the building trades presidency. He said Sullivan had taken credit for the accomplishments of the 14 international union presidents. "This is the time for a good old-fashioned fight," Monroe said. "For one solid year, I've been fighting my ass off to help our president. But everything you (Sullivan) got up and bragged about you didn't do a goddamn thing for."

Monroe left the podium quickly and did not elaborate about why he plans to challenge Sullivan.

Monroe's challenge further complicates the turbulent situation at the AFL-CIO Building Trades Department. It was anticipated that some progress might be made toward bringing the United Brotherhood of Carpenters back into the building trades, but there was no formal action. The Carpenters union withdrew from the AFL-CIO in March 2001, which effectively banned them from the AFL-CIO Building Trades Department.

Two months ago, UBC President Doug McCarron called for a restructuring of the Building Trades Department, including the resignation of Sullivan and Building Trades Department Secretary-Treasurer Joe Maloney. They would be replaced by a part-time president and executive director.

McCarron also called for formation of a committee to address jurisdictional disputes among the trades, as well as a system of weighted voting that would give larger building trades unions more clout.

Sullivan said, "I will not set arbitrary deadlines, I will listen to all, and I will resist any pleas for precipitous action from either side of the table. As for myself, it is not about who will run it (the department) but about where we are going. It's not about who's in the driver's seat."

The Engineering News Record reported that after several meetings, the 14 building trades general presidents "put off some key decisions" for 60 days.

- Press Associates contributed to this report.