Members from across the United States and Canada responded to a survey on GCIU policies and priorities at both International and local union levels. And overall, respondents to a 29-question survey, published in the January-February and March issues of the Graphic Communicator, gave their union good marks for protecting their interests.

In a statement in that issue asking members to participate, GCIU Pres. James J. Norton explained: "Your International union is seeking your assistance to develop ways to better serve our members and their families. We want to hear about the issues that are important to you."

Although members returned a wide cross-section of responses to many of the questions, there was strong unanimity among them in three particular concerns: Social Security and union involvement in both local and national political issues.

The survey consisted of 29 questions on topical subjects involving both local unions and the International. Each question had boxes members could check to indicate whether they agreed strongly, agreed, disagreed or disagreed strongly. Another box allowed participants to indicate whether they were unsure or had no opinion. The survey was also posted on the GCIU's Internet home page.

The responses to each question were tabulated in the Data Processing Department at International headquarters and analyzed to give an overall picture of member opinions.

Social Security and politics

Sixty-eight percent of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: "I worry about what could happen to Social Security if it were to become privatized." Thirteen percent disagreed or strongly disagreed. The remaining respondents either had no opinion or were unsure and gave no answer.

In political questions, in contrast to conservative claims that union members don't want their unions involved in political education, more than 70 percent of GCIU survey-takers indicated they want more, not less, political leadership from their union – at both local and national levels.

Seventy-four percent of those who returned the survey agreed with the statement: "It is important for the International to be involved in national politics." Nine percent disagreed.

And a follow-up questionnaire suggestion that "the International needs to be more involved in national politics" was supported by 62 percent while 12 percent did not agree.

Even more – 72 percent – backed the statement: "It is important for local unions to be involved in local/state politics." As with the questionnaire item on national politics, 12 percent disagreed.

In a follow-up to the local/state politics, 62 percent agreed with the statement: "My local needs to be more involved in local and state politics." Twelve percent disagreed.

Wallet issues

In wallet and benefit issues affecting members' lives, the results showed cautious satisfaction with contracts, health care coverage, and pensions.

Opinions were split over the statement: "My contract provides the best wages, benefits, and working conditions available," with 42 percent agreeing and 42 percent dissenting.

A similar almost-even split marked the statement: "Higher pay is my number one contract concern," with 47 percent disagreeing and 45 percent agreeing.

The questionnaire statement: "My health care coverage is affordable and secure" was affirmed by 45 percent of answering members, while 37 percent disagreed. Another statement, "I feel secure in my GCIU pension plan," met with approval from 48 percent, with 23 percent disagreeing.

Equal pay, gender, and human rights

Survey respondents gave their local unions and the International firm support in questions involving equal pay and preventing sexual harassment. Sixty-five percent agreed "the International adequately understands equal pay for equal work." Seventeen percent disagreed. Forty-eight percent of the respondents affirmed that their local contract "adequately provides equal pay for equal work" while 30 percent disagreed.

Participants also backed the International by a more than two-to-one margin for its efforts to advise locals about keeping workplaces free of sexual harassment. As a result, 43 percent agreed that their local "adequately provides workplaces free of sexual harassment." Nineteen percent disagreed.

And by a four to three margin of those who answered the question, GCIU members agreed "the International adequately understands and responds to the concerns/interests of women's members."

Voting members also agreed – by more than two-to-one ratio – that the International union adequately advises locals about ensuring workplaces are "free of ethnic, racial or religious discrimination."

Child and senior care, skills upgrading

Regarding both child and senior care, about 57 percent of the respondents disagree or strongly disagree that "my contract adequately provides child care" while 7 percent agree.

Similarly, 60 percent disagreed with the statement: "My contract adequately provides elder care." Eleven percent agreed.

As to skills upgrading, respondents voted by a more than six to one majority (62 percent vs. 10 percent) to disagree with the proposition: "The International helps me keep my skills upgraded." A smaller percentage (53 to 23) disagreed with the statement: "My local helps me keep my skills upgraded."

Members support organizing

GCIU members who responded to the survey also were enthusiastic supporters of organizing activities.

Asked if the International "is sufficiently involved in new member recruitment," 33 percent said no. Seventeen percent indicated that the International was doing enough in the field of organizing.

In response to another question whether "my local is sufficiently involved in new member recruitment," the response was nearly two-to-one that members want stronger local union involvement in organizing.

Norton said he appreciated the response to the survey: "We wanted to gather member input – even if there were opinions that we had some 'warts' along with some 'halos.' Where we have 'halos,' we will endeavor to make them shinier. And we'll have to see what we can do to rid ourselves of the 'warts.'"