Members realign after Carpenters Union dissolves

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Carpenters Union Local 770 in Yakima was dissolved Tuesday and its membership absorbed into a new Spokane Carpenters Union Local 59, according to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America based in Washington, D.C.

The changes were part of a broad reorganization of unions affiliated with the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, according to a March 21 letter from General President Douglas McCarron to a union officials in Bend, Ore.

As a result, 17 union chapters around Washington and north Idaho have been reorganized into four broad-ranging geographical groups.

The original Local 98 in Spokane also was dissolved and renamed Local 59, according to the letter.

Reasons for the restructuring aren't clear. McCarron's letter refers to a union report that recommended dissolution of the chapters but does not elaborate. McCarron does say the restructuring is expected to generate administrative savings.

Former Yakima Local 770 president Rocky Marshall confirmed the union chapter had been dissolved but did not know what would become of its office building on South Third Street.

Marshall has been named recording secretary and delegate of the new Spokane Local while former Yakima business representative Doug Palachuk is trustee and delegate, according to McCarron's letter.

Marshall directed further questions to a spokesman for the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters in Kent, Wash., who declined to comment.

* Mike Faulk can be reached at 509-577-7675 or mfaulk@yakimaherald.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Mike_Faulk.