Portland-based Carpenters 247 placed under supervision

Portland-headquartered Carpenters Local 247 has been taken over temporarily by its parent organization, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC). UBC General President Douglas McCarron has appointed Western District Vice President Michael Draper to supervise the local, assisted by Western District representative Jim Gleason.

Explaining the decision, McCarron cited financial irregularities and charged local union officers with failing to fulfill their duties, detailing the charges in an April 12 letter to members that is posted on the Local 247 web site, www. ubc247.com.

UBC got involved after receiving complaints from one or more Local 247 members. Gleason was assigned to conduct an initial investigation, and issued a report March 19. A March 29 report by a certified public accountant also found significant deficiencies in financial procedures, McCarron said in the letter.

All of Local 247’s elected leaders have been suspended from office, pending a hearing to be conducted by the UBC, which will be open to members and officers.

Local 247 had 1,239 members as of its latest filing with the U.S. Department of Labor.