 |
| Graphic Communicator photo by Herald Grandstaff |
| Joseph F. Rivera checks his GCIU e-mail. |
It might be that he grew up street savvy in New York City.
It might be his Marine Corps combat experience in Vietnam.
It might be his hard-core drive in competition softball.
Known by his coworkers and friends as "J.R.," he has worked for the GCIU and its predecessor international unions – except for his service in the Marines – since March 1964.
J.R. pitches himself into whatever task he is asked to perform.
J.R. recalls that he started working for the Amalgamated Lithographers of America mailroom as a clerk at the International's headquarters on 49th Street in New York City on his 19th birthday – March 2, 1964.
"I was going to college," he said, "and my mother said she needed to see a pay stub." He was hired the day he applied for the mailroom clerk position.
On Labor Day 1964, the ALA merged with the International Photo Engravers Union to form the Lithographers and Photoengravers International Union.
On March 16, 1966, J.R. remembers, he was drafted by the Army. But he opted to join the Marine Corps. "I figured I'd have a better chance of surviving Vietnam – and almost everyone was going to Vietnam – if I went into the Marines," he said with a slight chuckle. He was in the Third Battalion of the Third Marines.
After boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., he went to San Diego, Calif., for training.
He shipped out to Vietnam in September 1966 and returned in September 1967 as a military policeman in Albany, Ga.
After completing his Marines service in March 1968, J.R. went back to work in the LPIU mailroom in April 1968.
In May 1971, he was among 10 of the LPIU employees who moved from the New York headquarters to the new headquarters at 1900 L St., N.W., in Washington, D.C.
On Labor Day 1972, the LPIU merged with the International Brotherhood of Bookbinders to form the Graphic Arts International Union.
When he moved to Washington, D.C., J.R. moved to the Data Processing Department and worked as a computer operator. In 1978, J.R. became a keypunch operator.
With the July 1983 merger of the International Printing and Graphic Communications Union with the Graphic Arts International Union, several Data Processing staff were laid off. J.R. became a computer operator in 1983. He stayed in that position until after Sonny Johnson, who was in charge of the mailroom for many years, retired in December 1994. Since J.R. had computer experience, GCIU Pres. James J. Norton asked J.R. to take charge of the mailroom in January 1995 and computerize it.
J.R. has overseen the computerization of postage, overnight delivery, and international mailings. J.R. keeps track of postage expenses by department.
Another of J.R.'s tasks is to stock and order all supplies for the International union.
In reflecting on his experience, J. R. said he "always wanted to have a family and a dog. I couldn't do that in New York, so I took the opportunity when it presented itself. I was fortunate." He has a son Damian, 24; and daughters Tara Rene, 18, and Ashley Nicole, 14, by two marriages. "I'm presently divorced," he said, "and leading a beautiful single life."
Asked how he has lasted as an International employee for all these years, J. R. paused a moment to think. Then he said: "I guess basically my survival rate is so high because I just worked for the union – not who was the president at the time. I learned to trust the presidents and let them prove themselves."
"I've always been loyal and dependable," J.R. said, adding: "I've served my country, my family, and my job."
Regarding the future, J.R. said: "Hopefully, with the way the economy is, we can survive and all stick together. It's like my Marine Corps experience: without a team, you will not survive. Now, we all have an opportunity to be a big team. We all have to pull together and survive."
J.R. said that if the GCIU can "stay strong and continue as an independent union, I may work until I'm 62."
Phone: (202) 462-1400. Fax: (202) 721-0600. Comments? Contact the webmessenger.