A core group at Interstate Corrpack in Cambridge, Md., held rock steady to push a representation election victory for the GCIU.

GCIU Lead Organizer Thomas Smith, who helped Washington 285M with the wall-to-wall organizing win, said workers in the plant had tried to organize twice before–once with the Steelworkers and then last year with GCIU.

"But the company didn't change anything after that election," Smith said. "Everything stayed the same. People came back to us and said they wanted to try again because the company lied to them," he said.

Corrpack, located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, produces specialty packaging, including waxed, curtain-coated and dry boxes for poultry, seafood, produce and industrial markets. Workers at the plant also manufacture and stock bulk bins and belly banded bulk bins for these markets.

The plant is part of Interstate Resources Inc. (IRI), headquartered in Arlington, Va. In addition to its converting operations, IRI owns timber and mill operations with nine facilities on the East Coast.

Smith said the major issues for the workers are pensions, wages, and fair treatment.

Smith said that the Corrpack 32-to-25 election vote is a testament to the "strong in-plant committee. The company had a Christmas party to try to sway people," he said, "but the committee members attended the party and kept everybody together."

And Smith is a testament of the determination of GCIU organizers–you may knock them out, but you can't keep them down. Hospitalized for major surgery during the campaign, Smith continued to direct the operation from his hospital bed with the help of GCIU Lead Organizer William Beresh.

Beresh said he "was glad to help out. While Tommy was in the hospital, I worked with the committee. They are a terrific committee. They put a stop to all the terror tactics that companies use. The committee was the key. Get a well-trained and good committee, and you've got yourself a winner."

Smith and Beresh praised the efforts of James Dixon, who headed the in-plant committee, and committee members Leroy Ralph and Rennard Slacum. "They were really sharp," Beresh said. "They understood what they had to do, and Tommy prepped them well."

Smith and Beresh also praised the input of GCIU Organizing Director Bert Haft and Local 285M Pres. Ed Williams, who spent time with the committee before the election and stayed through the election. "He was a great help," Beresh said of Williams. "I know he'll do a great job servicing the unit."

Williams said Smith and Beresh did a "great job. I'm very happy to have the Corrpack workers as part of our family, and we look forward to working with them."

Smith said he expects to begin negotiations on a first contract in February. "I feel good about getting a contract because the company has union contracts at some of their other plants."