An administrative law judge ruled that IPI Graphics and Lithography, struck by Washington 72C members, committed numerous unfair labor practice charges and ordered backpay for workers illegally discharged.

Local 72C members struck the company in August 2003 after the company refused to bargain on a first contract for the workers who chose GCIU representation in August 2002. Major issues for the workers include wage increases, health care and other benefits, and a fair workplace.

Local 72C Pres. Paul Atwill said National Labor Relations Board representatives estimated the backpay for workers fired for union activities at more than $100,000.

Atwill praised the solidarity of the IPI strikers. "You really have to give them credit for staying together for so long and keeping the picket line going during a hurricane, the coldest January in a decade, the plague of cicadas, and the dumping of dead fish at the picket site."

Local 72C reported that the administrative law judge found IPI guilty of:

• Discharging employees for striking.
• Dealing directly with employees, instead of the union, concerning their terms and conditions of employment.
• Granting wage increases to employees represented by the union without giving the union notice and a chance to bargain.
• Granting pay raises to employees for not joining the strike.
• Promising pay raises and other benefits to employees in return for not joining the strike.
• Soliciting from employees what they wanted in return for not joining the strike.
• Threatening to discharge employees for striking.
• Coercively interrogating employees about union activities and support.

Atwill said IPI's business has suffered during the strike with other GCIU, Teamsters and other unions honoring the picket line and refusing to deliver supplies and equipment to the door. He said the company was able to get Government Printing Office contracts by underbidding because of low pay and no benefits, but now the company has lost some of that work.

Atwill said the members were grateful for the picket line and other support provided by GCIU members at union printing companies, including DeLancey, Doyle, Kelly, McArdle, Mt. Vernon, and Peake.

When GCIU headquarters staff, led by Contracts and Research Director Alan M. Tate, joined the Local 72C strikers on the picket line in June, strikers took up the chant: "We want benefits just like the turtle gets."

Frank Landon explained that the owner of IPI found an injured snapping turtle. He took the turtle to a vet and paid $300 for treatment. Employees were angered that the turtle received health benefits while they don't.