Trainees practice running a union meeting. From left are: Gail Walter, Detroit 2C; Patti Hanlon, Boston 600M; Kim Sousa, GCIU Organizing Dept. staff; Robert Miller, Chicago 458M; John Knapp, San Francisco 4N; and Mike Huggins, Indianapolis 17M.

Preparing for an exercise, clockwise from left are: Joe McMahon, St. Paul 1M; Elsa Svenningsen, Milwaukee-Madison 577M; Henry Rumph, Washington 449S; Tom Jolley, Atlanta 527S; Saundra Barringer, Salem 554M; and Del Linville, Denver 440M.

Below, GCIU Pres. George Tedeschi greets organizing trainees. From left are: Jessica Martinez, Milwaukee-Madison 577M; Tedeschi; Elsa Svenningsen, Local 577M; Henry Rumph, Local 449S; Hank Huber, San Francisco 583M; and Saundra Barringer, Local 554M.

Twenty-one GCIU activists moved into advanced organizing training with a simulated campaign during a week-long program.

Held in October on the campus of the Masters, Mates and Pilots' Maritime Institute of Technology in Linthicum Heights, Md., the program ran trainees through a campaign from initial targeting and research on a company, to evaluating union strength, recruiting committee members, developing the union message, house calling, and strategies to counter an employer's campaign against the union. They also practiced media skills, including writing campaign literature, making campaign videos, and designing radio spots. Technicalities and strategies for filing an election petition, responding to unfair labor practices, running the election, and post-election events also were covered.

GCIU Vice Pres. Duncan K. Brown, who directs the International's organizing activities, said those attending this program had participated in earlier general organizing training and returned to this program for more detailed and specific training.

For example, Brown said, trainees had to run a mock initial committee meeting, including setting the agenda, conducting meeting business, answering friendly and hostile questions, and inspiring people to be on the in-plant committee.

GCIU Organizing Coordinator Bert Haft advised trainees to "plan your work and work your plan – an agenda is very important."

At times, the mock organizing meeting turned real related to things that can happen during campaigns. Trainees role-playing union organizers had to evict actual GCIU Organizer Thomas Smith from the meeting when they discovered he was playing the role of a management mole and asking hostile questions. Smith and GCIU Rep. Philip Roberts expanded their acting repertoire as they tried to stay in their "management" roles all week.

Organizing Consultant Richard Bensinger advised trainees to keep the meeting short and simple – "the simpler the better and keep to the point."

At left, GCIU Organizer Robert Robinson, left, and GCIU Rep. Philip Roberts catch up on work. Role-playing the top management representative during the simulated campaign, Roberts was banned from the mock committee meetings. At right, developing plans for an exercise, from left are: Tom Jolley, Atlanta 527S; Russell McLaughlin, New York 447S; and Del Linville, Denver 440M.

At left, organizing consultant Richard Bensinger talks about developing a strong union message during a campaign. At right, observing from left are GCIU organizers William Beresh and Linda Goad and Vice Pres. Duncan K. Brown, who directs the GCIU's organizing program.

At left, GCIU Organizing Coordinator Bert Haft helps a group prepare an exercise in a Marine Institute courtyard. From left are Paula Wright, Corinth 2001AM; Haft; and Linda Bufford, Richmond 670C. GCIU organizers Thomas Smith, left, and Robert Robinson, center, and GCIU Rep. Walter Hill plan a role-playing exercise during the Organizing Institute.