The ILWU International Execu-tive Board held their last meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, on September 13 and 14.

Attending the meeting were:  Richard Cavalli, Alan Coté, Michael Davenport, Tom Dufresne, Luisa Gratz, Pete Hendrickson, Ken Ige, Nate Lum, Avelino Martin, Mike Mitre, George O’Neil, Fred Pecker, Conrad Spell, Joey Silva, Lawrence Thibeaux, Max Vekich, Jr., Jerry Ylonen, and Robert Zahl.  ILWU International officers attending the meeting included President Bob McEllrath, Vice President Wesley Furtado, Vice President Joe Radisich, Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams.  Also attending were Guy Fujimura, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 142, and Coast Committeeman Leal Sundet.

International Union Trustees Alan Coté, Nate Lum, and George O’Neil met the day before, on September 12, with International Officers to review the union’s finances.  Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams reported that the union currently has a small surplus but needs to remain vigilant about managing the budget and expenditures.

An update on the union’s organizing campaigns was presented by Vice President Joe Radisich who covered new developments in the Rite Aid and Blue Diamond Almond projects.  Both campaigns continue to enlist new allies and make steady progress, but Radisich cautioned the Board about the tremendous challenges facing workers who want to join the union.

Board members reported on the activities and new development in their respective areas.  The Executive Board also discussed whether to make an endorsement in U.S. Presidential election and discussed various candidates, but decided to continue the discussion to the next Executive Board meeting on December 6 and 7 at the ILWU headquarters in San Francisco.  Union Trustees will meet on December 5th at the same location.   The Board also approved a change in the date of the 2009 Convention to June 8-12.