Photos by Susan Zachem

Setting a schedule, from left, are: Ronald Johnson, Syracuse 284M; Arthur Anderson, Washington 713S; Jerry Ibarra, Los Angeles 404M; and GCIU Pres. George Tedeschi.

In a roundtable discussion, from left, are: Cassandra Williams, 713S; Valerie D. Irvin, Richmond 40N; Arthur Anderson, Washington 713S; and GCIU Rep. Alan M. Tate.

Working on communication exercises, clockwise from front left, are: Richard Street, Louisville 619M; Ricky Putnam, St. Louis 505M; Ronald Johnson, Syracuse 284M; Darrel Elliott, Halifax 506M; Steve Payton, Midwest Newspaper 128N; Joseph McMahon Jr., St. Paul 1M; and GCIU organizers Thomas E. Smith and William E. Beresh Jr.

Above GCIU Organizer Linda Goad, left, leads a roundtable discussion. From right are: Jim Elkins, Cincinnati 508M; John Knapp, San Francisco 4N; John Webster, Winnipeg 900M; and Robert Currier, Ottawa 588M.

What happens during an organizing campaign when workers leaning toward the union go into a captive audience meeting with management and emerge afraid to vote for the union? How can organizers counter management's implied threats and anti-union propaganda?

Those questions were the focus of an exercise experienced by the 30 trainees in the International's second Organizing Institute held in Washington, D.C.

The first principle of the GCIU's new organizing program is "expect fierce opposition," and institute leaders demonstrated how professionally orchestrated management's anti-union campaign can be during a mock captive audience meeting.

Analyzing the mock meeting, GCIU Vice Pres. Duncan K. Brown noted the "shotgun approach" used by management to "appeal to everyone's interests however varied. . . . At best, they're making you feel guilty. At worst, they're making you feel threatened."

Brown, who with GCIU organizing consultant Richard Bensinger and GCIU Organizing Coordinator Bert Haft developed the training program, said companies and their "management consultants" have become very clever in skirting language that could lead to unfair labor practices charges, even though the intent is to win at any cost – even by breaking the law. "The words can be correct, but the message can be false," he warned. "We're fighting corporate terrorists who have the courts and the laws on their side," he said.

Bensinger said one of the best ways for the union to counter this kind of intimidation is to not allow management to make its agenda the primary issue. "Stay on your issues," he advised. Organizers have to anticipate management's intimidation tactics and "inoculate" workers against those tactics during one-on-one communications, like housecalling, he said.

International representatives Alan M. Tate and Walter J. Hill and organizers Linda Goad, William E. Beresh Jr., Robert J. Robinson, and Thomas E. Smith led work groups in exercises to help trainees learn to anticipate and answer workers' questions during organizing campaigns. They also helped participants learn how to develop campaign strategies and set benchmarks within a specific time frame.

Tedeschi thanked the GCIU activists for devoting their time to improving their organizing skills. "By being here today, you are making a commitment to do this work," he said. "It's an uphill battle with the laws written the way they are. The commitment you make here today to organize is what makes us win. I commend all of you."

Planning an organizing campaign schedule, from left are: Del Linville, Denver 440M; Larry Thompson Sr., Washington 538C; Darrel Elliot, Halifax 506C; GCIU Rep. Alan M. Tate; and John Webster, Winnipeg 900M.

Above, left, GCIU Vice Pres. Duncan Brown, who directs International organizing activities, reviews the mock captive audience meeting. Above center, from left, listening to speakers, are: Elsa Svenningson, Twin Cities 1B; Joseph McMahon, Local 1M; and Robert Currier, Ottawa 588M. Above right, Jessica Martinez, Milwaukee-Madison 577M, and Thomas Jolley, Atlanta 527S, plan a schedule.