AFL-CIO Puts Off Decision About Carpenters' Reaffiliation.

The rocky relationship between the carpenters' union in the U.S. and the AFL-CIO has been smoothed somewhat, at least for now, at a meeting of top leaders. At its Executive Council meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on August 6, 2003, the AFL-CIO agreed to postpone indefinitely any action against carpenters regarding reafilliation with the labor federation, and the union's continuing relationship with the Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD). The controversy stems from the February 2002 decision by carpenters' union President Douglas J. McCarron to withdraw from the AFL-CIO because of philosophical differences with its leadership. Although the union wanted to retain its affiliation with the BCTD, the AFL-CIO constitution clearly stated that only affiliated unions could be department members.