N.J. man gets U.S. union post - By Jane M. Von Bergen, Philadelphia Inquirer
He dealt with Wal-Mart on behalf of carpenters.
In 2005, Spencer negotiated a five-year deal with Wal-Mart, which agreed to have its stores be union-built. In turn, 'we actively lobby at planning boards and zoning boards for projects that benefit our members,' Spencer said.
That put the carpenters union at odds with other unions, which have vigorously opposed Wal-Mart and regularly shown up for protest rallies at stores around the country. In New Jersey, union carpenters don't join them, Spencer said.
He had to have frank talks with other union leaders about his union's stance, he said.
'This is a bread-and-butter issue for us,' he said. 'These buildings are going to get built one way or the other, and as far as I am concerned, they are going to get built with union carpenters.'