George Tedeschi, the GCIU's new president, outlined in inaugural comments several priorities for members and the International union.

Tedeschi's two top priorities, like those of AFL-CIO Pres. John J. Sweeney, are organizing and political action. Sweeney swore in newly elected General Board members and officers on June 4.

"Clearly," Tedeschi said, "no union grows unless you have the organization to put forward programs that are good for its members." Because organizing is the "lifeblood" of a union, he said, organizing must be actively pursued in order for a union to stay in business. Citing retirements and plant closings, Tedeschi observed that organizing is necessary to just stay even in active member numbers.

Regarding political action, Tedeschi observed: "You hear more and more about the laws and how they're interpreted. The laws have not changed. The interpretation consistently changes."

Tedeschi cited instances of miscarriages of justice. He noted that an attorney attending the recent North American Newspaper Conference spoke about how unions are winning cases before the National Labor Relations Board "but then can't get anything executed because the federal court system just doesn't allow them to proceed forward from the wins at the NLRB."

Tedeschi observed that the United States president who takes office in 2001 will have an opportunity to appoint a large number of federal judges to lifetime positions. "We must be a player," Tedeschi said, adding: "We must do what's necessary to make sure that [Vice President] Gore gets elected. We must also elect as many people who are friendly to labor as we can in the House and Senate." Tedeschi added that labor-friendly legislators also must be elected in Canada.

Turning to GCIU politics, Tedeschi observed there was "a divided board the past few years. I would hope that that does not occur again. I believe that it occurred because you had a chairman who did not listen to the majority of the General Board. Whether I'm sitting in this chair or somebody else is sitting in this chair, the constitution provides that between conventions the General Board is the supreme authority. And if this General Board takes an action, I believe it is my responsibility as the chairperson or president of this International union to carry out that order of the General Board."

Tedeschi continued:

"There are times, I'm sure, that we will disagree. And when we disagree, I will fight like hell to try to get you to listen and vote my way. And whoever disagrees with me, I'm sure, will do the same. But ultimately the General Board has to be the governing body. I think that's where our division came in the past election. And it just spilled out into the local unions, which caused more problems than I thought any of us would want to get into.

"Hopefully, that's behind us. Whether you supported me; whether you supported Jerry (Secy.-Treas. Gerald H. Deneau); whether you supported the GCIU Strong and United team is now behind us. This is the new General Board. This is the new officer structure. We're elected. I will work with each of you. I know Jerry will do the same thing. And I would hope that you would cooperate with us and try to give us the benefit of the doubt and work with us," Tedeschi said.

Tedeschi referred to the GCIU Constitution as the "Bible" for the union and said it must be adhered to.

He said that "everyone knows that the membership in the GCIU has slid substantially since [1983] merger, and at this time I'm not sure where we are financially." He indicated there are several variables that impact on the International union's financial condition. He pledged to operate our union in an effective, efficient manner.

"I think together we can do a lot of good," Tedeschi said. "But we can only do it if we work together."

Tedeschi received a sustained round of applause from the General Board members.