Graphic Communicator photo by Susan Zachem

Chairperson Wallace McDade, standing, of Washington 538C listens to delegates' comments during the Minority Issues Workshop at the GCIU convention. Taking notes is Paul Garcia of Los Angeles 404M, workshop secretary.

To expand minority participation in the GCIU, expand organizing among minority workers, and strengthen solidarity in protecting minorities from discrimination in the workplace and in the union, the 60 delegates who attended the Minority Issues Workshop at the GCIU convention recommended a series of changes that focus on structure and education.

Convention delegates furthered this goal with their overwhelming approval of a General Board resolution to hold the first-ever GCIU symposium on minority issues within two years of the convention.

Workshop Chairperson Wallace McDade of Washington 538C applauded the new administration of the GCIU "for taking a bold step to have a Minority Issues Workshop at this convention. . . . I believe the attendees left the workshop looking at a new era of transformation taking place in this administration."

In a report to the convention, workshop Secy. Paul Garcia of Los Angeles 404M outlined the major issues that were discussed in the workshop and delegates' recommendations. He said delegates expressed the belief that the "workshop was a positive step to a new beginning."

Garcia said the first issue discussed was use of the term "minority." Some delegates said they find the word offensive and divisive. Others pointed out that, in some regions of the United States, people labeled as "minorities" actually constitute the majority of the population.

Photo by Thomas R. Koeniges, Nassau County 406C

At the workshop, front from left, are: Jesus P. Garcia, San Francisco 583M; George Michael Parrish, Washington 538C; Henry Gomez, Los Angeles 10N; and Armando Lopez, San Francisco 4N.

Among the workshop delegates' recommendations were: