April-May-June 2016 Volume 34 Number 2 The Newspaper of the Graphic Communications Conference / IBT www.gciu.org Emergency Response Wrong Turn Union members who support anti-worker political candidates jeopardize their GCC/IBT members and Teamsters around the nation aided own best interests and the residents of Flint, Michigan, after government officials failed future of organized labor, PAGES 5 to protect the community from lead-tainted water. leaders warn. PAGE 3 Going Under High Stakes Emphasis at the GCC/IBT’s third international With stagnant wages and mounting money worries, convention in Las Vegas will be on political aware- middle-class Americans are anxious – and angry, ness and support for labor-friendly candidates in says former U.S. labor secretary Robert Reich PAGE 6 PAGE 8 the unpredictable 2016 election season. ALSO INSIDE : Women have ‘Rich’ Teamster History ................... Page 4 The Push for Fiduciary Standards .......................... Page 7 Racial Equality Long a Top IBT Priority ............... Page 9 Small Scale Organizing Still Works ......................Page 11 Printed in the USA As I See It BY GEORGE TEDESCHI, GCC/IBT PRESIDENT GOP’s Regrettable Right-Wing Rhetoric ou can’t blame union people for wor- words, turn the United States into some preparing to put in place a radical, me-first Yrying. bleak socialist backwater. society that, by definition, rejects collective Any labor advocate paying attention Wrong, ridiculous – and seriously out of action of any sort. Make no mistake: If to 2016 campaign coverage is sure to be touch with reality. Republicans could snuff unions entirely, spooked by the fierce rhetoric coming Unmentioned by they would. from Republican presidential candidates Republicans is that Obama Even though the GOP and the implications for working people. saved the auto industry, has been overtaken by ideo- 4 Catering to the party’s far-right base, launched a health care logues ready to smash orga- Something GOP hopefuls find it useful to portray program based on pri- nized labor, many union Happened the United States as a faltering giant and vate insurance, supported members have been drawn Once Americans worked President Barack Obama as either inept entrepreneurial efforts of to the populist message of together and built a or sinister, or both. all sorts and is less a social Republican candidates. booming middle class. “Barack Obama is undertaking a sys- experimenter than Richard The New York Times Commentator Tom Mackell tematic effort to change the country, to Nixon, whose support for reported, for instance, asks: What went wrong? make America like the rest of the world,” affirmative action, OSHA that Donald Trump is declared Sen. Mark Rubio of Florida. and the Environmental gaining ground with rank- Rubio dropped out of the nomination Protection Agency would and-file unionists. Union 7 sweepstakes after losing a primary in his have left him open to officials told the Times Missing Persons own state but Republicans still peddle the charges of treason by GOP firebrands of that workers worried about job security When voters don’t show idea: Obama is a stealth agent trying to rob today. have fallen for Trump’s promise to snap up, the wrong people the nation of its unique character and best Just below the surface of GOP scare his fingers and solve every problem – as are apt to get elected and, qualities. talk is a strain of anti-unionism that though governance was just another gig as the Flint, Michigan As challengers to the White House, demands attention. On the campaign trail, on reality TV. water crisis shows, Republicans have a right, and, even, a candidates are smart enough to mostly In unsettled financial times, concerns trouble can follow. duty, to question the person in power avoid direct attacks on organized labor – about the future are understandable. But and the party he represents. But the level Republicans are advertising themselves as let’s get serious. If the GOP keeps control of discussion is so off-kilter that you deeply concerned about the middle class – of Congress and takes back the White 10 wonder if GOP zealots and the American but the result of their policy prescriptions House – with Donald Trump or anyone electorate inhabit the same solar system. attack unionism at its roots. else – years of progress could unravel Risky Business Obama is portrayed as an utter failure With an agenda of tax cuts, reduc- overnight. We must be smart enough to Researchers say the whose alleged European-style policies tions in the social safety net, calls for the ignore election year sweet talk. The inter- proposed Trans-Pacific will crush initiative, empty the national end to “Obamacare” and allegiance to ests of American labor will not be served Partnership trade pact treasury and snuff the innovative spirit the extremist, small-government agenda by a party that wants to kill the American puts U.S. jobs in danger. essential to free market success – in other of billionaire benefactors, Republicans are labor movement. 16 Along Came Jones A refurbished memorial MANAGING Outlook BY JAMES HOFFA, IBT GENERAL PRESIDENT honoring Mary Harris EDITOR’S NOTE ‘Mother’ Jones hails the Isn’t the Republican presi- labor activist once called dential contest something? ‘most dangerous woman ‘Let’s Get America Working’ in America.’ Conversation among candidates often is more like a kindergarten veryday Americans are facing increased to advance bipartisan policies that will encour- shouting match than discussion challenges at work and at home. The age job growth. And it must put the current E FEATURES of vital national issues. Despite outsourcing of millions of good-paying jobs and future generations of workers in a position the sorry state of GOP politics, overseas has led to lower paychecks here in the to succeed by giving them the skills they need. As I See It/ reporter Zack Dowdy observes United.States. That, in turn, has made it more There also is a significant need to move for- George Tedeschi....... 2 in a Page 3 story that union difficult for many workers to ward with a broader agenda leaders are worried. Officials say provide for their families. that puts U.S. workers first. Outlook/ too many members – in the The Teamsters, howev- That means standing up James Hoffa .......... 2 GCC/IBT and organized labor, er, have a plan to help turn against lousy trade deals like generally – are edging toward the tide. Called “Let’s Get the Trans-Pacific Partnership Managing Editor’s Note/ Republicans. President George America Working,” it will that send American jobs Fred Bruning ......... 2 Tedeschi warns that defec- encourage both Democratic overseas. tions of this sort are a “huge and Republican lawmak- There was a time when all Editorial.............. 6 mistake” that threaten middle- ers to endorse a pro-worker these issues weren’t partisan class Americans and the union platform. At the center of the issues – they were American Point of View/ movement. Also in this edi- campaign is the need for this values, something everyone Robert Recih.......... 6 tion, financial columnist Jerry country to invest in infra- could support. But govern- Morgan highlights a Labor structure, which in turn will ment is broken. Partisan Cartoon/John Branch....6 Department plan to assure create good jobs for hard- bickering has replaced find- Bottom Line/ investment advisers give clients working Americans. ing solutions. That’s why it’s a fair shake and reporter Dawn Infrastructure investment is key to creating essential for the Teamsters and like-minded Jerry Morgan ......... 7 Hobbs writes about the Flint, better-paying jobs and getting the U.S. econo- allies to join together and push this message Guest Spot/ Michigan, water crisis – a sad my back on track. Working on transportation, with lawmakers, colleagues, friends and family. Steve Nobles .......... 7 story of government neglect. energy and water projects will put thousands If elected representatives from both parties One optimistic note: IBT mem- to work across the country. It will also improve want to rebuild the trust between government bers from around the country All the Best ........... 7 roads, bridges, ports, which in turn will help and workers, they need to reinvest in the joined GCC people in Michigan business and improve the U.S. economy. people that make this country great. Better pay Local Stops ..........11 to bring clean water to needy Buy-in from both parties is necessary to will lead to more spending and improve work- community members. We suc- effectuate change. If this nation is going to ers’ quality of life. Everyone wins. Française/Español ....12 ceeded where politicians failed. improve the lives of its citizens, Congress needs Let’s get America working. – Fred Bruning In Memoriam........13 2 Graphic Communicator Graphic ComThem Newspaperunicat or of the Graphic Communications Conference / IBT Volume 34 Number 2 April-May-June 2016 (USPS 410-750) Official organ of the Graphic Communications Conference/International Brotherhood of Teamsters 25 Louisiana Ave. NW DONKEYHOTEY VIA FLICKR Washington, D.C. 20001 202-508-6660 e-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.gciu.org Right Turn is Wrong Move GEORGE TEDESCHI Editor FRED BRUNING For Labor Union Members Managing Editor By Zachary Dowdy “We’ve made them into Republicans,” AFFILIATIONS Special to the Communicator Hoffa has said. Change to Win Coalition Tedeschi also laments the rightward drift ike many GCC/IBT leaders, the presi- evident in union ranks. Canadian Labour Congress dent of Local 3-N, Boston, has heard his “Sometimes people become comfortable Member of International members speak favorably of Republican and lose focus,” Tedeschi said. “They get won Labor Communications presidential candidate Donald Trump over by empty talk and distracted by hot but- Association of Labour Media as a champion of the working class – ton social issues that have little to do with real- a straight shooter who aims to bring life worries like wages and plant safety.