Here is a story about 1199 and its Communist past. Gaspard apparently joined the union in 1999.
http://newzeal.blogspot.com/2009/10/obama-file-88-parallel-lives-obamas-man.html
Sorry: didn’t see your post before I posted on same SOURCE. New Zeal is incredibly rich with connections galore.
Trying to stay focused on any early year connections with Obama & Gaspard -— 1980’s (NY & Chicago). Certainly looks like their could be. Finding an Ayers connection in this period would be illuminating.