GCIU photos by Herald Grandstaff

Newly elected GCIU Pres. George Tedeschi chairs an informal meeting of General Board members on March 28. From left are re-elected Secy.-Treas. Gerald H. Deneau, Tedeschi, and Executive Secretary Kathy Smallwood.

As GCIU General Board members and officers met March 26-28 following tabulation of International election results, commitments were made to assure a smooth transition to a new administration effective June 4. The GCIU Board of Electors completed tabulation of mail ballots on March 24.

James J. Norton, International president since September 1985, pledged to Pres.-elect George Tedeschi and the new General Board "complete cooperation" in making the transition to the Tedeschi administration.

At the opening of the March 26 board session, Norton congratulated Tedeschi in winning the election. Among steps Norton took to prepare the new administration, he invited Tedeschi and Canadian Vice Pres.-elect Duncan K. Brown to attend the Supplemental Retirement and Disability Fund trustees meeting in May so that Tedeschi and Brown can observe the format of the meetings before they are officially involved.

Norton pledged to also make every effort to provide a smooth transition for vice presidents-elect David A. Grabhorn and Edward J. Toff.

Norton read aloud letters he wrote to the representatives and organizers and to local union leaders.

Norton's letter to field staff said, in part: "With the tabulations of the ballots of the GCIU 2000 election, our union has a new president . . .

"While I am disappointed in the election results, that disappointment is tempered with the democratic process within our union. The membership has spoken. The GCIU will continue its quest to represent its members, although it will do so with a new navigator Pres.-elect George Tedeschi . . .

"I know you will give the same cooperation and dedication to George that you have given to Paul (Golden, executive assistant to the president and an International vice president) and me since 1985.

". . . To all of you from Pat [Norton's wife] and me, we are greatly appreciative for a job well done and for commitments that will be on-going under our new president," Norton said in his letter to staff.

In his letter to local leaders, Norton pointed out that complete tabulations of voting results would be attached. He added in that letter: "All of our best wishes and prayers for his [Tedeschi's] success and the continuing progress of the GCIU are with him. I urge all of you to honor his administration with the same vigor and commitment that was a hallmark of your relationship with me. And I know that pledge will be forthcoming.

"I have long held that our best days are ahead of us. That is a good guidepost to direct an organization with, and, God willing, will continue to benefit the GCIU and its membership," Norton said in his letter to locals.

Norton declared during the March 26 board session that "this organization is bigger than anybody in this room. And it's bigger than all of us together. And we have got to get out to the membership the appearance and emphasis on unity within the organization."

He observed that, as preparations are made for the Fifth GCIU Quadrennial Convention in September, "you must go into that convention united or the convention is not going to be successful."

Norton said that "unity involves a degree of trust and understanding, and we will have to reach out for each other. None of us should be so rigid that we cannot yield to those impulses. The return of the 1985-86 period [of upheaval] of this board is not going to contribute to a progressive environment. Industry technology is not going to permit us any leeway in time to nurse wounds. Life in the industry will go on. So, too, must the GCIU."

In noting there were board members who did not seek re-election or lost their races, Norton said: "To those people, we owe a debt of gratitude, and I want to acknowledge the contributions they have made during their tenure."

"Unity within the GCIU," he said, "is going to be important in fact, essential to the success of the new administration." Norton added that he was "reasonably sure" that all of the members would join in an effort to unify a divided GCIU.

Norton said he would arrange meetings for him and Tedeschi with employer contacts to reduce the number of hurdles for Tedeschi's administration to clear.

Regarding a meeting about the International headquarters and its future, Norton invited Tedeschi to attend so that Tedeschi can get a more thorough understanding of the property and its operations.

Tedeschi said he was "most pleased to see that this is going to be a cooperative, friendly, and uplifting transition. As you [Norton] pointed out, the union is bigger than all of us. And that is what we must be focusing on."

"Over the past meetings," Tedeschi said, Norton has "stated numerous times: 'I guess the ballot box will have to determine the outcome of where we will go in the future.'"

Tedeschi said "this is a very democratic union. All of us in this room help preserve that. I think we must go forward and do everything we can to represent the members. I appreciate the support and cooperation in terms of transition."

Pacific Region board member John D. Bachler, president of Seattle 747M, who lost his re-election bid for the board, said: "It's been an honor and a privilege serving with the General Board members, officers, and staff of the GCIU. It's been a great learning experience, and I appreciate the past four years."

Mountain Region board member James A. Miller, president of Kansas City 235M, who ran unsuccessfully for a vice presidency, offered congratulations to the newly elected board and officers. Miller said he gained "a learning experience" and that it was "a privilege to be on the board for the past eight years. By all of us working together, we can take this union forward."

Paul E. Golden, a vice president and executive assistant to the GCIU president, congratulated the winners, adding: "This has been a wonderful experience for me. I wish the new board well in its deliberations in the running of this union."

Andrew Douglas, president of Philadelphia 14M, an Atlantic Region board member since 1983, observed: "We've been through an awful lot." He wished Norton "well with whatever you do, that you're very successful, and you're happy and healthy."

Secy.-Treas. Gerald H. Deneau, who has served on the board since 1982, said to Norton: "There's no question in my mind but that you were the right person for the job [as president] following [the 1983] merger with the pressmen. You did an excellent job of bringing us together. I think you were very wise." Deneau said Norton "definitely completed the merger, and I thank you for that."

Canadian Region board member Mike R. Zajac, president of Toronto 500M, said he wanted to wish Norton "all the best for you and your family. I'd like to thank you for the service you've given us over the years."

Canadian Vice Pres. James J. Cowan said he enjoyed his two-term vice presidency. He said he appreciated the help he received from Norton and Golden when he was a rookie vice president.

Vice Pres. Lawrence Martinez observed that the "past three years have really been trying for all of us" and added that he wanted to wish Norton "well."

Norton said: "Thanks for having me as your president."

Because of the change of administration, Norton cut a scheduled regular board session from three to two days. He arranged for incumbents who were re-elected to have the use of the hotel meeting room on the scheduled third day so they could informally discuss matters on their agenda regarding a new administration taking office.

At the March 28 Tedeschi-led informal board session, Central region board member David R. Jacobs, president of Detroit 2C, said he only wants "to help this [Tedeschi] administration."

During the March 28 session, board member discussions included Tedeschi's choice of Philadelphia 16N's Richard Whitworth as his executive assistant, convention mechanics, how to keep International union expenses as low as possible, and how to unify the membership and move the union forward.

GCIU Pres. James J. Norton chairs the March 26 and 27 General Board sessions. From left are Secy.-Treas. Gerald H. Deneau, Norton, and Paul E. Golden, a vice president and executive assistant to the GCIU president.