Dear Brothers and Sisters of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters:

When do you know it is time for a change?

From John H. Swanson

Member and Delegate of Local #322

I know it is time for a change after the underhanded, backroom dissemination of Minnesotass 87, 851, and 1644 Carpenters Locals. Organized Labor, Collective Bargaining rights, and Unionization have taken hits all around the country and we, the Unionists, reserve the right to be upset about it and lobby for something different. For my native Minnesotan Carpenters, within the course of a year, our organization has taken quite a beating. For my dear Wisconsin Unionists, the reign of Scott Walker has proven disastrous. And for those in the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, the reign of J. Moore has been anything but pleasant or constructive. Before we reach the 11th hour, we Unionists, need to recognize that this situation is bigger than fighting for the rights of just Minnesotans, just Wisconsinites, or just Local 322 Members. James E. Moore has tried to frame the struggle of Unions as encompassing a Wisconsin versus Minnesota versus the Dakotas [and so on] mentality. These individual battles however, are exactly what our struggle is not. At this point in time there is nothing more important than realizing these two things: The individual struggles of many Union organizations around the country represent a problem that needs to fought with a united, collective strategy. Remember that an attack upon the rights of one, is an attack upon us all. Our NCSRCC union organizations are in need of a new captain, one that will govern for the betterment of all our Union brothers and sisters. This is because an attack upon the rights of Wisconsin Unionists, is an attack upon us all. It is my sincere hope that you understand the urgency of our situation. Not just the situation of Local 322 in Minnesota, but of organized labor overall. We, the Members, need to support Union rights around the country and we, the Members, need to be actively discussing the benefits of Unionization and lobbying for its support. As we cultivate an environment of informed and proactive Members, we will be better able to choose a new EST that will govern with our best intentions in mind. I recognize that the time for change is upon us. The next EST will be decided at the Hinckley Delegate Convention. I am attending the Convention as a Delegate of Local 322 and will be voting in favor of a change in EST. I understand that as a Local 322 Delegate I am responsible for voting in favor of the Memberships best interest and in favor of the change I want to see in our organization. I will be one, of the many, vocalizing the need for change during the Convention. I have written this letter to you hoping that it will incite you to discuss the issues threatening our Unions, and Unionization overall, with other Members, with your families, with your elected representatives and with anyone else that will listen. I am looking forward to discussing these issues with my NCSRCC Brothers and Sisters now and at the Hinckley Convention where I will be sure to stand up for the rights of the rank-and-file. I recognize right now as being the time for change and am going to do everything in my power to be sure that our Unions are changed for the better.
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-John H. Swanson.