Rod Queen Sr.

Roderick D. Queen Sr., 61, who served as an International organizer and representative for approximately 10 years, retired as of Sept. 30, 2003. The General Board praised his accomplishments.

On Jan. 25, 2003, Queen was driving his vehicle from a GCIU assignment when it was involved in a severe smashup. He had massive internal injuries from the seat belt. His liver was so badly damaged that he needs a liver transplant. He told the Graphic Communicator he has been able to "do hardly anything since then." The other driver escaped injury and prosecution.

Queen began working for the printing industry union cause in 1965 as a shop steward for Sparta Local 210B while working as a bookbinder machine operator. He gained journey I status. He served as Local 210B secretary-treasurer from 1969 to 1973.

Queen served as president of Local 210B and merged Local 990M from 1974 until 1993, when he was appointed an International organizer. He facilitated the merger of Local 210B with Mount Vernon Local 780C to form Local 990M with approximately 1,000 members.

He helped form the United Unions of South Central Illinois of World Color in 1987 and chaired the council from its inception until accepting an International staff position.

Queen said the most gratifying thing for him in 38 years of service was being able to negotiate contracts so that people could continue to work and they could also "get a piece of the pie for themselves." He enjoyed being able to settle contracts without strikes.

He had a passion for organizing and showing people how they would be much better off in a union and having "strength in numbers. They can greatly improve the quality of their lives by simply voting 'yes' for a union," he noted.

Queen said he always "tried to be a good 'soldier' – and was usually successful. If you've got to end a career," he lamented, "this is the wrong way to do it" – with forced disability retirement from injuries resulting from a vehicular crash he could not avoid.

GCIU Pres. George Tedeschi praised Queen as a "well-liked, strong union leader, organizer, and negotiator. His dedication and skills will be greatly missed by everyone."

GCIU General Board members at their October session adopted a resolution that praised Queen's dedicated service and noted that he was a talented negotiator at avoiding strikes while hammering out beneficial wage agreements.

The General Board in its resolution wished "Brother Queen all the best in his struggle with his health problems" and that needed surgery could be successfully performed soon.

The General Board also wished Queen and his wife Jan "a long and ever-improving retirement."

Queen said prior to the board resolution that he has "a lot of good friends, acquaintances, and memories. You've just got to play the cards you're dealt – hold 'em or fold 'em. It'll all work out in the long run."