International President James Spinosa (second from left) recognizes the Convention's delegates honoring him. Applauding (left to right) clerk's Local 34 President Richard Cavalli, International Vice President, Mainland Bob McEllrath abd International Vice President, Hawaii Wesley Furtado. Photo by Lewis Wright.
Mandatory age limits enshrined in the ILWU Constitution back in the 1970s meant International President James Spinosa could not run for re-election to a third term. Known affectionately to his union brothers and sisters as "Spinner," he has served as clerks’ Local 63 President, Coast Committeeman, International Vice President, Mainland and, finally, as International President for the last six years, culminating his career by piloting the Longshore Division through the dangerous 2002 negotiations.
Spinosa long held a reputation as a tough and strategic negotiator, and that shone through undeniably in 2002. So the proposal at the Convention to confer upon him the honorary title of "President Emeritus" was a surprise only to him.
Spinosa’s longtime friend and fellow Local 63 marine clerk John Tousseau, who had also worked on several Longshore Negotiating Committees with Spinosa read the resolution bestowing the title (see below) and then spoke from his heart.
"I have been privileged to know him since we were young kids together. I have seen him come up through the ranks of the ILWU," Tousseau said. "As we all know, as President and Vice President of this great International Union, he has helped us not only at our local levels and at the Coast level, but at the International level, helped us reach to the stars and reach to other realms, helping us talk to people from all over the world, whether it be the ITF or the IDC or reaching out to all the various countries of the world, through the MUA in Australia, New Zealand, up here in Canada. He has never, ever faltered and never, ever let us down. He has always given support to everybody.
"I think that the recognition, seeing the people who have come here from Japan, from Vietnam, all over Australia, every place, even from South Carolina, demonstrates that Jimmy is an honorable man."
Local 63 Vice President Joe Gasperov hit the mic and recounted the lessons he learned from Spinosa.
"I first met Spinner when I was a young and new member in Local 63. Spinner had just come back from three years as a Coast Committeeman," Gasperov said. "I quickly learned that Spinner was a fighter. I kind of sat back as a new union officer and tried to learn from Spinner and the other officers on how to conduct myself with the employers, how to represent my members across the table, and how to fight for our jurisdiction.
"A few things I learned from Spinner were, number one, that you fight as hard as you can for your members and your jurisdiction. Number two, you always speak your mind, no matter if people disagree with it. You make your feelings known. And number three, that the employers never, ever are our friends."
Spinosa was obviously touched and while saying his acknowledging the honor had to pause a moment to compose himself.
"This honor is really a great send-off. I appreciate it. The Italian in me gets a little emotional sometimes," he said. "It’s been just a wonderful ride for me through my career, coming into this union and then having the honor to represent you, as I have, as your President, Vice President and officer at the local level. It’s just something that I am going to take with me all the rest of my life. It’s been the highlight of my life."
- S.S.
In Recognition of Brother James Spinosa
and Bestowing Emeritus Status on
President Spinosa
WHEREAS: Brother Jim Spinosa has been a member and also has served this great ILWU for 38 years; and
WHEREAS: In 1984 Jim was selected by the Coast and served as the Coast CFS monitor until 1987; and
WHEREAS: Since 1987, Jim has been elected as Caucus and Convention Delegate in the Longshore Division; and
WHEREAS: In 1988, 1991, 1996, 1997, Jim served as President of ILWU Local 63 Marine Clerks, Southern California; and
WHEREAS: In 1991-1994, Jim served the Longshore Division as a Coast Committeeman; and
WHEREAS: In 1993, as Coast Committeeman, Jim served as Co-Chairman of the Longshore Division Contract Negotating Committee; and
WHEREAS: In 1997, Jim was elected as Vice President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union; and
WHEREAS: In 1999, as Vice President of the International, Jim was selected by the Longshore Division to be the Chairman of the Longshore Negotiating Committee; and
WHEREAS: In 2000 and 2003, Jim was elected President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union; and
WHEREAS: In 2002, Jim, as Chairman of the Longshore Division Contract Negotiations, and under his leadership, the Negotiating Committee successfully negotiated a six-year contract, preserving Pension and Welfare benefits for the Longshore Division; and
WHEREAS: Under Brother Spinosa’s leadership, whether as serving as a Local President, Local Vice President, Vice President of the International, or President of the ILWU, the ILWU has made tremendous gains and has prospered; and
WHEREAS: Since Brother Spinosa cannot seek reelection as President of the ILWU; THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED: In recognition of his service to the ILWU, this Thirty-Third International Convention of the ILWU expresses its most sincere gratitude and appreciation to Jim. The ILWU is a better Union because of Jim’s tireless efforts. We will miss his leadership and active participation at the International level and wish him success should he decide to continue to participate at the Local level; and BE IT FINALLY
RESOLVED: That this Thirty-Third International Convention of the ILWU bestow on Jim Spinosa the honor and title of President Emeritus of this great union for which he has served.
