The Graphic Communications Conference of the Teamsters Union — one of two unions that generate the “union bug” that signifies a union printer — is leaving the Teamsters and re-forming as an independent union. Before it became a division of the Teamsters in 2004, the union was known as the Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU). Now it will call itself the Printing, Packaging & Production Workers Union of North America (PPPWU).
Leaders of the union moved out of Teamsters headquarters in downtown D.C. to suburban Silver Spring, Maryland.
The union’s top officer Kurt Freeman said in the union’s newspaper that the split was in reaction to changes sought by Teamsters President Sean O’Brien to the 2004 agreement which brought GCIU into the Teamsters. Changes included included an end to the Graphic Communication Conference’s semi-independent status and structure within the Teamsters. Its locals would merge with nearby Teamsters locals.
Details of the split may end up being determined by a judge, because the new union is suing the Teamsters in U.S. District court.
–DM
PAI Union News Service contributed to this report
