Pursuant to a Voluntary Compliance Agreement signed on March 27, 2023, the GCC-IBT Local 406C will conduct a new election and installation for the office of President under the Secretary of Labor’s supervision in July 2023. The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) of the U.S. Department of Labor is responsible for assuring the election is conducted in accordance with Title IV of the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA). Under the OLMS General Rules of the supervised rerun election for Local 406 president, incumbent President Mike LaSpina and challenger Mr. Ted Phillips can email members through the Local 406 website.

 letter in support of candidate Mike LaSpina from Joe Forys

Hello Fellow 406 Members:

My name is Joseph Forys and I have been part of this Union for 33 years. I was a rep as well as a VP on the Executive board for 7 years of that. All my Dealings with the union have been a great one. This Union has allowed me to prosper and be protected for all of those years.

From George Tedeschi all the way down to President Laspina the Union has always been available to me when needed for anything. I have been involved in numerous contract negotiations as well as grievance and arbitration proceedings. This Union has never been run by just one person it is run from the body up. While on the executive board I learned a great deal and always was included in any decisions being made if fiscal or any other major change or situation. Legal counsel was always sought after for major situations. That advise was always brought forward to the Board for review. This Union and President Laspina have always looked out for the body and the units no matter how big or small. It never mattered how small the request President Laspina was always just a phone call away. He has always taken the time to hear what I had to say and always made me feel like I mattered and was part of a strong union.

My department is only 7 people now but we all matter and I have always felt that way under his leadership and previous leaders as well. I am endorsing Mr. Laspina for Union president with all my Union knowledge and training over the years within 406. I Believe Strongly that he is the Man to lead us into the future as Newsday evolves. With his years of leadership at all levels in the Union, backing him is the only choice. I trust his leadership and guidance going forward to the utmost degree.

Yours Truly In Brotherhood,

Joseph Forys

Local 406 Member and former VP of Prepress