Participation in organizing, education, training, and political action were among the recommendations from the convention Local Union Activities and Administration Committee.

Chaired by Washington 72C President Paul Atwill with Louisville 619M Pres. Steve Kitzmann serving as secretary, the committee also considered two amendments to the GCIU constitution.

The first constitutional amendment approved by delegates requires any person with fiscal responsibility in a district council, as well as a local union, to be bonded. The second amendment, also approved by delegates, inserts language into the constitution to require that contracts be ratified by members–a procedure that most local unions already follow.

The committee also presented a resolution that was approved by delegates to encourage the International and local unions to participate in coordinated bargaining with multi-plant employers.

The resolution directed the General Board to establish a subcommittee to recommend coordinated bargaining policy–including national agreements and an education program–on the importance of coordinated bargaining.

The resolution also established a structure under which local unions can implement coordinated bargaining with a single employer or a group of related employers on a voluntary basis. The structure includes a committee made up of representatives from each participating local based on proportional representation calculated by the number of employees in the bargaining units represented by each local. These committees would be chaired by International officers designated by the GCIU president.

The committee also recommended that local unions:

• Make organizing a priority and take advantage of organizing and new officer training programs.
• Develop and implement new member orientation programs.
• Continue to promote training funds in negotiations to help members keep pace with technological developments.
• Promote the GCIU Political Action Fund and establish a local political action committee and register-and-vote program.
• Maintain fiscal responsibility– including good record keeping, voucher systems, two signature checks, annual audits by certified public accountants, proper bonding insurance, and dues structures–that are sufficient to meet each local's obligations.
• Promote participation in the GCIU pension plans, which offer more security than 401(k) plans.
• Look into the Graphic Communications National Health and Welfare Fund as an option because health care insurance has become such a difficult bargaining issue.