It took three tries, but packaging workers at the Union Tribune voted for dignity and respect by saying "yes!" to representation by San Diego 432M.

GCC/IBT Pres. George Tedeschi praised the strength and solidarity of the bargaining unit of some 190 workers who do inserts, bundling, and truck loading of newspapers for distribution.

"These workers went up against very tough management opposition for years but fought to achieve their goal," Tedeschi said.

"I hope that the company will recognize that these workers mean business when it comes to negotiating a contract and acknowledge the benefits for management of a quality union workforce," Tedeschi said.

The packaging workers at the Union Tribune had gone through a decertification at the newspaper in the late '90s. During the same time, the pressroom workers represented by Local 432M fought for 12 years against anti-union management to get a contract with the company. It took a strategic campaign involving subscribers, advertisers, area unions, and the community to get the company to sit down at the table to settle the pressroom contract.

In 2003, the packaging unit tried to win representation by the then-GCIU but lost. They tried again in 2004 but lost by 10 votes. The union filed unfair labor practice charges against the newspaper, which were upheld by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB ordered a new election, and this time the unit won the day.

GCC/IBT Organizer Mike Huggins, who assisted the packaging workers in the past two campaigns, said "management tried every trick in the book. Management tried to use the upcoming negotiations in the pressroom. Management paraded before them management's demands for wage and benefit cuts in the pressroom, but that still didn't scare them."

"This is an absolutely wonderful group of people," Huggins said. "They were dedicated to winning this election."

Huggins praised the assistance in the campaign of GCC/IBT organizers Rick Street and Linda Goad and the strength of the in-plant committee.

"It was through the efforts of Rick, Linda, and the committee that we won," he said.

Street said one of the special aspects of the campaign was the "very diverse group of people. We had tee shirts that said 'the third time is a charm' made up in four languages–English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. We had a very strong committee. They went through a lot of intimidation, but they took the ball and ran with it. They stood fast," he said.

Street said the packaging workers' issues included "dignity, respect, and being treated fairly. The majority of workers are part-time. Management was constantly threatening them with their hours."

Local 432M Secy.-Treas. George Huber applauded the help from Huggins, Street, and Goad. "They did most of the legwork. I just brought in the axle grease."

"The Tribune treats people like they have no feelings," Huber said. "That's an awful way to treat people. Now they won't be able to do that," he said.