Longshore Union (ILWU) Action to End the War

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Longshore Union (ILWU) Action to End the War

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Wed, 02/27/2008 - 4:11pm.

[via email]

The Longshore Caucus (like a Convention) adjourned today, Friday Feb. 8 but not before passing an antiwar resolution to shutdown all U.S. West Coast ports with a stop work meeting on May 1, 2008 for 8 hours to protest the Democrats' and Republicans' continuing to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The resolution from Local 10 encountered vigorous debate. In the end the overwhelming consensus to take dock action to stop the war prevailed. As the President of Local 34 Richard Cavalli stated this resolution follows ILWU Local 10 and 34's successful Labor Conference to Stop the War held in San Francisco Oct. 20, 2007, as reported in the ILWU's newspaper, The Dispatcher.

A question has been raised about bringing up this decision to the local Olympia ILWU chapter.

Robert Whitlock's blog
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This is so incredibly awesome, and makes me proud.

Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 02/27/2008 - 4:25pm.

Almost every male in my family have been longshoremen and worked on the docks. This makes my week!

Since I was at this caucus

Submitted by Keith Bausch on Wed, 02/27/2008 - 5:15pm.

Since I was at this caucus maybe I should clarify what was proposed in the original resolution and what was actually passed. The original proposal called for a 24 hour shut down of the entire west coast. There was no support for this and a compromise was worked out that has each port using its stop work meeting time for a show of protest against the war. This means that there will be no stopping of the movement of any cargo on the west coast. We are just trading the normal stop work shift for May 1st. Doesn't have much effect but it made some at our caucus members feel good and allows us to coordinate a coast wide protest on the same day since our stop work meetings up and down the coast are quite varied. Rob who are some of your relatives that are longshoremen? Keith Bausch President ILWU Longshore Local #47

Thanks for the clarification, Keith

Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 02/27/2008 - 5:35pm.

All of my relatives worked in Vancouver. Bob and Jack DeVilliers were both life long longshoreman. My mom was married to one for a while also, Pete Reichenbach (why all the frogs in my family allowed her to marry a German I'll never know, but it made for interesting family get-togethers). I grew up hanging out at the hiring hall and going to Longshore picnics. It was a huge extended family and was really great to be a part of. I've had a love affair with labor unions ever since, especially the IWW.

One question about the caucus decision. The decision means that work WILL stop for 8 hours on May Day, but that those stop work hours are budgeted already, so it won't be like a work stoppage where every minute equals dollars lost. Basically it's a union wide day off to celebrate May Day and protest the wars. Is that correct? Thanks again.

Yes that is accurate. I'm am

Submitted by Keith Bausch on Wed, 02/27/2008 - 5:51pm.

Yes that is accurate. I'm am not sure that our president and coast committee have been able to convince our employers the PMA to agree to this but my guess is that they will. It would be less pain full than an actual work stoppage. This way they can schedule around it. Don't recall the names of your relatives, but I rarely work in the Columbia River Area so that is not unusual. If you ever need clarification on anything involving the local longshoremen give me a call. The number at our hall is 357-5915. If I am not there leave a message and I will get back to you. Thanks.

Thank you very much.

Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 02/27/2008 - 5:58pm.

I'm hoping to be a part of organizing stuff for this year's May Day events. Maybe we can combine our efforts and plan a large anti-wars protest.

Solidarity!

Speaking of May Day

Submitted by sascha on Wed, 02/27/2008 - 10:17pm.

Speaking of May Day, BRICK (Building Revolution by Increasing Community Knowledge), a student activist organization at SPSCC will be hosting its annual, May Day hoe down at the SPSCC SUB. For this event, we invite progressive groups from all over the Olympia and Puget Sound area to come and table. It's an excellent opportunity to network, to increase organization membership, and to publicize information about progressive issues that you would like to bring attention to. We have several bluegrass bands lined up so there will be square dancing, a raffle, free food, and other fun activities. What better way to celebrate May Day than to square dance with a political flyer in one hand, and a piece of chicken (or vegetarian/vegan substitute) in the other! may 2nd, 7:00 PM, SPSCC Student Union Building

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