Photos by Herald Grandstaff

GCIU Vice Pres. Leonard E. Adams offers observations.

Leonard E. Adams, a troubleshooting GCIU vice president who negotiated local union wage agreements without a strike in 26 years of servicing locals, retired in January. He cochaired the Graphic Arts Industry Joint Pension Trust Fund for 16 years.

Adams was saluted at a retirement party for his skills as a contract negotiator and dedication to serve members and the International union.

He had been a member and shop steward in the papermakers' union before becoming a bookbinder in the early 1960s. He had served as a shop steward, chief shop steward, was on the executive board, and served as sergeant-at-arms prior to being elected Menasha 32B president in 1970. He became an International representative in 1975 and was elected an International vice president in 1976.

Adams most recently had served on the Alliance for Retired Americans; Capital Stewardship for the AFL-CIO (investing for jointly trusteed funds); Allied Board of Governors; executive board of Union Network International (a spin off of the International Graphical Federation). He served on the General Board's Merger Committee and chaired the Ad Hoc Appeals Committee and was a trustee on GCIU Officers, Reps, and Organizers Retirement Fund.

He said some of his greatest gratification came from "enforcing the legitimate use of both the GCIU label and the Allied Trades label where they don't have a central labor council. I took in a lot of money by suing employers who misused the label," Adams said with a wily smile.

An IGF delegate for more than 20 years, Adams said it "makes sense that we coordinate with European countries to make sure we have the same working conditions."

He is also proud that he was "instrumental in getting the Susan Harwood [federal] grant for [safety and health training] for $298,000 a year for five years." The grant has been renewed each year despite threats by the Bush administration to deny them.

Adams got "most satisfaction from negotiating contracts for the people." He never had a strike because he negotiated "good contracts. I will miss most the interaction with the people." He worked out compromises so that members would be convinced that the agreements were in their "best interests," Adams said.

When contacted, St. Paul 29C Pres. Nick Caruso praised the work of Adams, although Adams had been assigned just twice to assist the local.

Caruso said both times Adams "represented the International union and needs of the local constituency in manner that can only be described as first class."

In spring 2000, Caruso said, the Quebecor Plant in St. Paul was in the process of closing, and the parties met to bargain over the impact of the shutdown. The unions involved included Local 29C, Twin Cities 1B, and a typographical unit. "The unions had little bargaining leverage and were for the most part at the mercy of the employer's sense of compassion."

Caruso recalled that Adams "stated the union's case and articulated the collective group's pain and anger over the closing in a way that would make you believe that he personally had experienced the loss. The material terms of the settlement were minimal, as was to be expected from such a ruthless employer. But the representatives present all expressed sincere gratitude that Len Adams had made the extra effort to understand their perspective and convey our feelings in a way that very few could....

"Vice Pres. Leonard Adams exemplifies what quality representation is all about – ability, integrity, compassion, and class. On behalf of the local, I would like to thank Vice Pres. Adams for his many years of outstanding service to the labor movement and wish him well in his retirement," Caruso said.

St. Louis 6-505M Pres. Kenneth J. Truemper said Adams "always found time in his schedule to be in St. Louis when we needed him. Every time he's been here, he's been helpful to us. He was effective with the company and the membership" because he was forthright with what he said. He said Adams was respected by both the members and management.

Kenneth J. Brown, GCIU president emeritus, said at the retirement party that Adams has a "great talent" to go to a local on the brink of going on strike and swiftly negotiating a contract that was quickly ratified.

Tony Dubbins, secretary of the Graphical, Paper, and Media Union of Great Britain, recounted working with Adams over many years regarding issues with the IGF and getting to know him as a good friend. He said Adams' word is bond. Adams, Dubbins said, brought integrity to the trade union movement internationally.

Dubbins noted that 20 percent of the printing industry employees in the U.K. work for companies that have plants in North America. It was valuable, he indicated, to have a good working rapport with Adams.

"We're going to miss one of the best friends we ever had," Dubbins said.

Barbara Easterling, Communications Workers of America secretary-treasurer, said the CWA had worked with Adams "on many issues."

Citing Adams' commitment, Easterling said: "Len Adams exemplifies what it means to be a trade unionist. When he makes a commitment, you can take it to the bank."

She added there was "no more vigilant watchdog" of the union label and that the labor movement was fortunate to have Adams' contributions.

"As we look to a challenging future," Easterling said, "we need more people like Len Adams."

Martin R. Ganzglass, who has served as legal counsel to the GCIU and predecessor unions since 1972, noted that Adams headed a program to upgrade women working in the printing and publishing industry. He said some women may not know that Adams exists, "but they owe their equality [on the job] to Len Adams."

Ganzglass said that because of Adams' commitment to safety, "the workplace is a safer place."

GCIU Secy.-Treas. Gerald H. Deneau said Adams is a "perfect example of someone who lives a very balanced life" because of his commitment to GCIU members and his family.

Marvel Adams displays her husband's old lunch pail, which she thinks will make "a great 'honey-do' box."

Marvel Adams took to the podium the lunch box her husband carried when he worked as a bookbinder. She said her husband kept the lunch pail on the window sill of his office to constantly remind him where he came from and who he was working to help.

She thanked him "for sharing his life and friends with me," and she joked that she thought the lunch pail "will make a great 'honey-do' box."

Noting that he has been involved in organized labor for more than 30 years, Adams said he "never once thought I made the wrong decision."

He said when he accepted an International representative position in 1975, he uprooted his family from Wisconsin, where he had regularly taken his son Lance and daughter Lisa Marie fishing, to bring them to the Washington, D.C., area. Adams said his family never complained. He added that he "never" could have accomplished what he has done for the GCIU and predecessor unions without the support and understanding of his family.

Regarding management, Adams thanked those employers who attended his retirement party and thanked them "for making me look good."

GCIU Pres. George Tedeschi said that he learned much from Adams as a mentor and friend. He presented Adams with a plaque from GCIU officers and members that read:

"In grateful appreciation to Vice President Leonard E. Adams for his:

• "Exceptional dedication and service over three decades to all of the members of the Graphic Communications International Union and predecessor unions.

• "Exemplary skill as a troubleshooter at negotiating contracts that are acceptable to both members and employers. His hard bargaining nonetheless resulted in no strike in his more than 20 years at the bargaining table.

• "Aggressively pursuing and bringing GCIU and Allied Trade label violators to justice.

• "Diligently watching out for the well-being of the members and the union. His considerable knowledge and skill have led the way to obtain monetary assistance for worker safety, enabling members to arm themselves with information and, as a result, protect themselves and work safely at the job site.

• "Using his contacts throughout the printing and publishing world for the benefit of members and the union. He found ways to develop friendships and working relationships with other international unions worldwide.

"We thank and applaud Len for his tremendous contributions to the GCIU, the labor union movement, and humanity. We wish him and his wife Marvel a long, healthy, and much-deserved happy retirement."

Adams' retirement agenda includes fishing, golf, spending time with his family, as well as visiting with his and Marvel's relatives in Wisconsin.