By Yvonne Gordon

Photo by GCIU Organizer Bill Beresh

GCIU Vice Pres. Garry D. Foreman, acting organizing director, teaches part of the organizing workshop.

Photo by GCIU Organizer Bill Beresh

GCIU Pres. James J. Norton tells the local organizing leaders that their local's future lies in their organizing successes.

When Garry D. Foreman, GCIU vice president and acting organizing director, opens the Lead Organizer Training seminar, he asks each participant three questions:

• Have you ever been involved in an organizing campaign?
• Have you ever filed a petition?
• Have you ever won an organizing election?

Those participants who haven't had the great experience of an organizing victory learn quickly from the others that "it feels great."

Foreman wants every local in GCIU to have that "great" experience, he said. In order to help them achieve the experience, the GCIU, in cooperation with the AFL-CIO and Cornell University, is presenting a series of field seminars for local unions.

The Lead Organizer Training program is a complement to the Membership Education and Mobilization for Organizing (MEMO) program, which helps train rank-and-file members in such skills as making house calls.

Photo by GCIU Organizer Bill Beresh

GCIU Organizer Bert Haft, who leads the training seminar, demonstrates computer software as Effingham 39B Pres. Donald Brown, left, and Nassau County 406C Pres. George Tedeschi watch in the background.

GCIU Organizer Bert Haft, instructor at the first two seminars – held in French Lick, Ind., and in Harrisburg, Pa. – said that after local members participate in MEMO, "the local needs someone who will make the contacts, decide the target, and organize the committee – a lead organizer."

The seminar begins with targeting, determining which non-union shop has enough interest and support to vote in favor of affiliating with the GCIU.

The rank-and-file organizers are given the tools to help them determine the issues in a plant, delve into the history of the plant, determine ownership of the plant, and research the plant's financial status.

Photo by GCIU Organizer Bill Beresh

At the Lead Organizer Training seminar in French Lick, Ind., GCIU field staff assist local leaders in developing leadership skills. At left, from left are Fred Blevins, Louisville 619M; GCIU Organizer Linda Goad; Carol Kolb, Local 619M; and GCIU Organizer Thomas Smith.

By breaking into small groups, the participants are able to perform mock target analysis, create mock campaign strategies, and plan a campaign.

Through role playing, they learn to interview and evaluate initial contacts, to assess the commitment of employees, and to analyze the outcome of an election.

Haft told the group that there are "some 1.9 million unorganized workers in our industry in the United States and Canada." He urged them to "be a smart targeter," adding, "don't go for the plants where you're never going to get a contract."

He told them that "issues-driven campaigns win – if we stick to the issues." Haft added that they should not be discouraged if they lose the first election. He said: "We win 38 percent of the first elections. We win 62 percent of the second elections."

Forty members representing 20 locals attended the training session. Haft reminded them that with only seven organizers in the United States and Canada, "the International can't do it all alone."