Members of the ILWU’s Fed-erated Auxiliaries gathered for their annual Convention in Boron, California on October 12-14. The activities included a combination of educational, inspirational, and agitational events, according to Jean Ordano, who serves as President of the Federated Auxiliaries and noted that delegates attended the Convention from California, Oregon, Washington, and Canada.

“We encouraged the delegates to meet here in Boron because this is an ILWU town,” said local leader Judy Rowley who helped host the Convention with a hard-working team of Auxiliary 41 members who live in the Mojave desert community that is home to hundreds of Local 30 members who work in California’s largest open pit mine, operated by the Rio Tinto Minerals Company (formerly U.S. Borax).

Auxiliary members spent most of Friday touring the nearby Edwards Air Force Base, home of the Space Shuttle and ground zero for the early test pilots who were featured in Tom Wolfe’s book, “The Right Stuff” and the movie that followed. Security at the base is now very tight, requiring all visitors to be carefully screened beforehand, a process that some Auxiliary members felt was similar to what ILWU members will soon experience on the docks.

Delegates heard from ILWU International Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams, who thanked the Auxiliary for playing a vital role. “The Auxiliary helped this union survive in the early years, and the prosperity we know today comes from your continued support and action,” he told the group. “Up and down the coast, I see all the work that you’re doing to support this union, whether it’s providing Thanksgiving dinners at Local 21, walking picket lines in Portland, or helping with Labor Day events in Southern California. All of us owe you a continued debt of gratitude for your important work.”

Adams also spoke at a portion of the Auxiliary program that was dedicated to honoring longtime Local 30 leader Ray Panter, who recently retired after helping lead the miners in Boron for many decades.

“Like all great labor leaders, you provided leadership that was based on a bedrock of principles and a strong moral compass,” said Adams in his emotional testimony. “Being a good leader isn’t easy; being a man is even harder. And you, Ray, were both. Your life is proof that a single individual can change history and make things better. By pouring your soul into the work of your union, you have transcended your own mortality, and will live on in the hearts of those who come behind you. As my grandmother used to say, you have fashioned coal into diamonds,” said Adams who then presented Panter with a plaque and the Auxiliary delegates provided him with a standing ovation.

The Auxiliary considered and adopted a host of resolutions, including:
•    Support for Rite Aid warehouse workers who are fighting for their right to join the ILWU. Some leaders, including Penny Wehage of Auxiliary #5 have already written letters to Rite Aid’s CEO, and others expressed interest in communicating with Rite Aid customers.
•    Support for the almond workers at Blue Diamond Growers in Sacramento who are also fighting for their right to join the ILWU. Auxiliary members discussed the need for dialogue with See’s Candy and other companies that use Blue Diamond almonds.
•    Support for the right of Americans to buy lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada, a policy that is opposed by the Bush Administration.
•    Support for dockworkers in Guatemala and union leaders there who have been attacked, including Pedro Zamora who was brutally murdered on January 15, 2007.
•    Support for protecting pensioners and spouses from paying insurance co-pays or deductibles.
•    A call for members of Congress to participate in the Social Security system, which they voted to exempt themselves from many years ago. The body also called for tougher inspection and safety standards for important toys and merchandize.

The Auxiliary finalized their plans for the remainder of 2007 and 2008, including a commitment to support longshore workers who will be fighting for a better contract this coming spring and summer.

“We’ve been around for a long time, and we intend to keep fighting for the values and vision that built this union,” said Auxiliary President Jean Ordano.