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The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) represents 25,000 workers on West Coast docks and has the reputation for progressive leadership, democratic procedures, and international solidarity. It became in 1964 the first U.S. union to oppose the war in Vietnam, and during the 1980s it supported actions against El Salvador’s government and held a port protest against apartheid in South Africa.

More recently, ILWU Local 10 in San Francisco responded with financial and organizational solidarity when police attacked and arrested striking dockworkers in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2000. Several ILWU locals have also come to the aid of the five UAW local leaders who were fired by Freightliner last year.

(snip)

With the notable exception of a 10-day lock-out in 2002, the longshore workforce hasn’t participated in a coastal strike for several decades.

LOCAL INITIATIVE
The ILWU Longshore Caucus jolted the union from its light slumber in mid-winter. The caucus consists of about 100 representatives elected by the rank and file from all ports under the union’s master contract with the employers who are represented by the Pacific Maritime Association. Caucus delegates met for two weeks at the end of January and early February, preparing for the July expiration of the union’s master contract with the PMA.

Toward the end of that meeting, a delegate moved a resolution from Local 10 for a one-day shut down on May 1. The “No Peace No Work” holiday, it said, would “demand an immediate end to the war and occupation.” To the surprise of some observers, the resolution received substantial support, including from a few Vietnam veterans among the delegates who felt it was time to take action.

(snip)

when May Day arrived, the work stoppage was complete. All ports under an ILWU contract shut down.

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The article discusses some members' reservations about participating in the strike, the decision to show solidarity in the face of upcoming contract negotiations, grassroots member organization, the central union's support for the action along with some of their tactics to try to minimize exposure to litigation.

http://labornotes.org/magazine

[ 10 June 2008: Message edited by: triciamarie ]

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Dear Brothers and Sisters of ILWU in California

The courageous decision you made to carry out a strike on May Day to protest against the war and occupation of Iraq advances our struggle against occupation to bring a better future for us and for the rest of the world as well.

We are certain that a better world will only be created by the workers and what you are doing is an example and proof of what we say. The labor movement is the only element in the society that is able to change the political equations for the benefit of mankind. We in Iraq are looking up to you and support you until the victory over the US administration's barbarism is achieved.

Over the past five years the sectarian gangs who are the product of the occupation, have been trying to transfer their conflicts into our ranks. Targeting workers, including their residential and shopping areas, indiscriminately using all sorts of explosive devices, mortar shells, and random shooting, were part of a bigger scheme that was aiming to tear up the society but they miserably failed to achieve their hellish goal. We are struggling today to defeat both the occupation and sectarian militias' agenda.

The pro-occupation government has been attempting to intervene into the workers affairs by imposing a single government-certified labor union. Furthermore it has been promoting privatization and an oil and gas law to use the occupation against the interests of the workers.

We the port workers view that our interests are inseparable from the interests of workers in Iraq and the world; therefore we are determined to continue our struggle to improve the living conditions of the workers and overpower all plots of the occupation, its economic and political projects.

Let us hold hands for the victory of our struggle.

Long live the port workers in California!

Long live May Day!

Long live International solidarity!

The General Union of Port Workers in Iraq
An Affiliate Union with General Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (GFWCUI)

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