Longshore Workers Plan Walkout To Protest Wars
West Coast dockworkers plan to walk off the job Thursday to protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, even though the action doesn’t have the formal support of their employers or the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
It was unclear how successful the effort will be at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where a group of longshore workers admitted uncertainty to how widely the plan was received by other dockworkers.
“There are lots of members who are expressing their personal views and committing to this voluntary action,” said Craig Merrilees, an ILWU spokesman.
ILWU executives had initially given their blessing to an eight-hour work stoppage during the busy day shift, which was suggested two months ago during a union caucus held in San Francisco.
A clause in the union’s current contract allows workers to hold monthly “stop-work” meetings during the evening shift, when cargo activity is considered to be lighter.
The union withdrew its support shortly after the Pacific Maritime Association denied the union’s request for the walkout. An arbitrator ruled last week that the union had to inform its members about the change in plans.
As a result, any work stoppage held Thursday will be initiated by the union’s rank-and-file members, not by union executives, according to Merrilees.
“In light of those developments, we hope that May 1 will come and go without disruption,” said Steve Getzug, a spokesman for the PMA, which represents the West Coast’s shippers.
“We’re anticipating that May 1 is a regular work day,” he said.
Workers who choose to walk off the job Thursday might face some sort of discipline, but it was unclear what avenues the employers would pursue.
Immigration rights groups also plan to hold a series of marches and rallies in Los Angeles and cities across the country on Thursday to call for reforms in immigration policies.
Some port truck drivers and dockworkers have resisted signing up for the federal Transportation Workers Identification Credential because undocumented workers do not qualify for the high-tech security card.
© 2008 The Long Beach Press-Telegraph
Wouldn’t it be cool if everyone just stayed home in protest tomorrow and the whole country was effectively shut down? That’s what Mahatma Gandhi did early in the ’20s of the last century.
I applaud the longshore workers and aggree with Paul_GA. I think it’s time for a one day national strike. If for no other reason than to send a message to the oil companies.
I wish that America’s many Labor Unions were more politically active than it appears they are (and I say “than it appears”, because if there are many Labor Unions in America that have a politically active opinion about Iraq, then they’re not only talking softly about it, but they’re carrying a stick about the size of a tooth-pick, from the non-appearance of any such politically active opinion on Iraq).
That’d be great if Labor Unions could do such politically active things in America, because of course they are a multitude of American People, who we like to think are organized and capable of effective actions as a multitude, and who we might hope were politically aware and eager for activity in that way…
…and as a multitude of the American People, they then represent a fraction (however sizable) of the same People in total, and therefore represent a fraction of the American Electorate.
But they either don’t seem to be aware that they could have such influence in American National Policy, or if aware, they don’t seem eager to exercise this influence…
…and in any case, the above article describing what might be a partial and unauthorized “work stoppage” on the part of some members of the ILWU in Los Angeles and Long Beach, describes a disorganized and disunited confusion: As in, if the Labor Union in question can’t even get their membership anywhere near enough on the same page in this matter, as to know the day before May 1, whether there’s to be a “work stoppage” on May 1, then it’s a shame…
…and it’ll be an embarrassment if some members walk off the job (however temporarily), and some don’t; and those who maybe walk, don’t have the authorized support or even the permission from their own Labor Union… well, it’s almost a crying shame, that a Labor Union can’t be politically active and organized enough in this matter, to even know what they’re supposed to be doing in the matter, tomorrow.
It kind of makes the name “Union” seem like a misnomer, or an oxymoron, or something like that.
Too bad, the American People could really use the political influence of Labor Unions, as a multitude of People and as a fraction of the American Electorate… especially in the matter of Iraq.
“To thine own self be true.”
We are way overdue for the work stoppage leading to the general s….e. I’m taking off tomorrow in support. I’wouldn’t work for triple time! DO your part as an individual. Others will catch on and the movement will grow.
This “strike” seems pretty well organized in San Francisco. Peaceman has been letting us know about this for over a week on several different articles here at CD. Apparently there are a lot of other actions being taken all over the U.S. tomorrow that are unconnected, but support this “work stoppage”. I also heard that truckers are uniteing to support this action tomorrow.
These longshoreman are acting as all Americans should act. Not because they belong to a union, but because they are patriots. They are taking a huge risk that they are not obligated to take on our behalf. The real question is are WE, all of us, going to follow their leadership and participate in this action? Or are we going to just sit on our asses and debate whether the unions are doing enough?
Where will you be tomorrow? At work or out in the sun somewhere in your community protesting quietly by talking to your neighbors about how to save our democracy and our country? This action may be disorganized and on short notice, but we all have to start somewhere. Why not tomorrow?
What a good idea. Let’s all join the ILWU or the AFL-CIO and call in well to protest Bush’s warcrime.
Thank you ILWU for leading the way and making sure that for at least a day “business as usual” does not continue. Harry Bridges and Eric Hoffer would be smiling in solidarity if they only knew.
ILWU is a selfish union that is tied too closely with business and doesn’t always support other unions.
I am suspicious of this whole article, and doubt much will happen.
I’m under the impression that the Labor Unions in France have a great deal of political influence in that country, by doing exactly the thing being discussed here. But I’m also under the impression, that those Unions in France don’t do these things from the seat of their pants, in a sudden or unannounced way, and of course, not in any kind of way you’d say was disorganized (as the very word “disorganized” goes against the whole concept of a Union).
Anyway, if the ILWU, or other Labor Unions anywhere else, were or are planning any kind of “work stoppage” or walk-out tomorrow, then they’re doing it in a way that seems strange, in regard to how French Labor Unions do this kind of thing (so effectively).
By announcing several days in advance (even a week or more) what it is to be done, and what exact time it will be done, gets a public dialogue on the matter going, both in the Press (or “media”) and amongst the People, to the effect not only of increasing the importance and significance of the “work stoppage”, but of perhaps increasing the participation too.
You’ve seen the television video/reports on such things in France, showing many many thousands of French People and Labor Union members in the streets: that kind of thing doesn’t happen on the fly, spontaneously, from the seat of the pants… it takes a great deal of forethought, and public dialogue, to get the ball rolling like that.
So something like that is supposed to happen tomorrow, in the U.S.?
If at this late stage, the day before, the answer to that question is in doubt, then the whole thing goes against any chance of being successful or effective… it’s not supposed to be a secret, or a surprise to the American People, as though a party were being held in their honor, but that nobody told them ahead of time, or even invited them, and that they’re supposed to find out by surprise, when they turn on their televisions, and see many many thousands of Americans having taken to the streets on May 1…
Which sounds kind of funny, and illogical, as where are these many many thousands of People supposed to come from, if they don’t know days (even a week) in advance, of the event?
I 100% support a work stoppage. However, it is worthless to do unless it will truly make a major economic impact on the region and the country as a whole. Furthermore, these little walkouts - short in number and duration - clearly put the bullseye on those who walk out, because in a bad economic cycle there are literally hundreds of people who will line up to scab and even take jobs away from current Union members. We have to remember what country we are screwing with here. If we do it, it has to be big; big enough that scabs can’t fix it and big enough that the Bush Administration is made to look the fool on huge scale.
Rebel Farmer,
Perfect commentary.! I cannot thank you enough!
Poet, You’re right, my friend. So right.
quouesque: You hit the wrong key. Fox “faux” News is on another website. Go have a drink with Grover Norquist or Karl Rove. Maybe you’ll sober up.
The only way to “strike” down a demon that bows to the dollar as though it is a god — is show that demon that its access is actually enabled by the millions of minute acts provided by the millions of people upon whom that ruling demon depends. Let’s hope this movement spreads!
The green sprouts of democracy always emerge and grow in and through the cracks of the cold, concrete slabs.
Great idea! I am in total support.
Takin’ it to the streets. I hope they continue and it catches on nationwide. It’s all we have…NUMBERS….NUMBERS…..NUMBERS!
ILWU — That’s what REAL patriotism looks like
Oh My !! Wonderful…a lil solidarity in the lonely numbers that was once a powerful movement. But like the rest, I must concede I am looking at losing my job in the very near future. I’ve been very active over these last 5 years….and do more than my share of preaching to those who do not step up. A middle aged single renter does not have a lot of room to dance in the streets. My fear of becoming a bag lady overrides my need to join in that single day of protest that would surely change things if only enough of us would be a part of it. Over the years our numbers have dwindled so much that it is discouraging. Short of a boat toward Venezuela, my hands are a bit tied. Carry on and I am with you in spirit!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe, just maybe May 1st could be the start of the citizens
of our country taking it back. since I’m retired, all I can
do is not buy one damn thing. BTW: July 24 is Natl sick-out
day. Check SC for details
Here we are in a major depression and Bush wants to dig more oil wells in Alaska.
More Nuclear plants for Westinghouse, GE, and the other corporatists..
Come the revolution, they will not be safe
and happy in their gated homes…
Something to think about–we are all angry and want to “DO” something, but do what, to impact whom? I heard today that the increase in the price of oil has more to do with the US war in Iraq and Afghanistan than anyting else. The insurance companies that insure the oil tankers are charging higher and higher rates because of the increased risk that a tanker will be sunk because of the military actions in the area; AND, expert geologists and others are charging more to go into gulf coast countries because they are in a war zone or potential war zone. Yes, it IS the war.
I would participate in, and promote, a national work stoppage to send the message to the current administration and each of the candidates, like the guy said in the movie Network, “we’re damn tired, and we’re not going to take it anymore.”
Writing and calling Congress members has not gotten action.
Re: July 24 national sick out day, I think that is too far in the future. I would love it if we could all just get organized…..
As a retired union construction worker I believe this fascist country is long over due for a big time, nation wide, shut down. If we continue to go by the rules written by corporate America we continue to give up ground. They do not respect the workers of America and a show of unity is needed. Europe is far stronger than are we in forceing government to treat their citizens with dignity and respect. I support the ILWU in this and hope they have a big impact.
Unless and until Americans think local, buy local, and are engaged politically on a local level, nothing changes.
Sure that’s not always possible, but what is possible, like reading the ingredients on the back of a can of soup, to know which corporations are progressive and which are regressive. We vote with our dollars everyday; vote smart.
this is great news. i will take off tomorrow also to support them. i work for a shipping company also here in houston.
the bush cabal are criminals
mattl9696
Right on! That’s the spirit we need. We’ve got the power! The power of labor and the power of the pocketbook.
See you at 10:30 a.m at the corner of Mason and Beach in S.F. later today.
as we used to say: ‘Be there or be square!.
The Alter Net and Labor News Orgs have all been reporting on this strike action for at least a week. Vermont State Legislature passed a Resolution of support. The Iraqi dock workers are shutting down for an hour on May Day, in support.
Perhaps the lack of news in the US about this union work stoppage says more about the media and the lack of imagination of most supposed news junkies. I find it disingenuous that people are now claiming that no one told them, or they might have done something…
Thank you to the longshoreman!
It was great to be there. My happiest day so far this year!