UNITED STATES: Appeal from a militant unionist

UNITED STATES: Appeal from a militant unionist

CALIFORNIA — John Reimann was a member of the Carpenters Union for almost 30 years. He has just been expelled for life from his union.

Reimann served as recording secretary for Local 713 of his union in Hayward, California, and as a delegate to various conventions and councils. He says he has consistently refused full-time appointed staff positions because, "I don't agree with their policy of trying to keep the contractors happy at the members' expense. I don't agree with their policy of suppressing the members' right to run our own union."

Last May, some 2000 carpenters in the Bay Area walked off the job to protest against a contract that was forced down their throats. Reimann was elected chairperson of the Working Carpenters for a Stronger Union, which helped lead the campaign against that contract.

"As a result", he says, "I was brought up on charges by my international [union] leadership, convicted and expelled for life."

Reimann says his expulsion is a threat to all union members and he will be appealing it at the union's next general convention in August, and also in the courts. He is now travelling around the US speaking about his case and the surrounding issues.

"If you support freedom of speech and strong, aggressive unions, I hope you will support our campaign", he says. "In addition to financial support, we appeal to you to raise this issue in your unions and seek messages of opposition to this expulsion."

For more information, email John Reimann at <Crpntrs713@aol.com> or check out the relevant links at and .

From GLW issue 408