I was a former member of the General Board of the Graphic Communications Conference, having served as President of GCC/IBT Local 3-N in Boston, Massachusetts.
I began my career as a GCIU rank-and-file pressman and later went on to work as a leader in the GCC. In recent months, I worked with Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien and other leaders at Teamsters International headquarters to transform Local 3-N into a full-fledged Teamsters local union — the newly chartered Teamsters Local 3. I strongly urge you to take steps now to remain a member of the Teamsters Union.
Despite affiliating with the Teamsters nearly 20 years ago, the GCC has remained in steady decline. The GCC has lost over 50,000 members and millions of dollars in just 17 years. It has fundamentally failed to provide affiliates with the services and resources we’ve so badly needed. Furthermore, the GCC has failed to reinvest in itself in any meaningful way for decades and is on track to continue on that path. Regrettably, we must recognize that the GCC leadership failed to utilize the best features of our Merger Agreement with the Teamsters to improve the interests of our local unions and district councils.
Since the new Local 3 started working with Teamster leadership in Washington, we have been treated as part of the team every step of the way. As a full Teamster affiliate, Local 3 retains absolute autonomy. Our new Teamster Charter maintains our craft of graphic communications, print, package, and paper-related products in the multi-state jurisdiction of New England. Our membership and strong industry contracts remain intact and will into the future — so don’t believe anyone who tells you different.
Local 3 has also affiliated with Teamsters Joint Council 10 in New England, where today we are equal partners with 20 other local unions in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine. We are evolving beyond the old GCC and finally receiving the resources that our members deserve. Our bond as Teamsters is now stronger than ever.
The time has come to truly integrate into the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. An independent GCC will not be able to survive on its own and is no longer capable of helping you. All the GCC talk of a future merger with another international union is just that — talk. It’s meant to protect the leadership of the GCC. It will not benefit the many GCC locals in need of help and our GCC rank-and-file who deserve far better.
The best way to protect our graphic communications, printing and packaging identity is to go with the strength of our powerful, 1.2-million-member Teamsters union. Make your move to become a Teamsters member as soon as you can.
Fraternally,
Stephen T. Sullivan
President, Teamsters Local 3