By John Showalter   

Members of ILWU Local 10 joined more than 250 community residents and public health advocates to support the 2007 “Blow the Whistle on Asthma Walk” on Saturday,

September 29, in Oakland. The event was sponsored by the American Lung Association and the Port of Oakland.

Local 10 member Clarence Thomas, who serves on the ILWU Saving Lives Committee that is dedicated to improving air quality at the ports, served as a Co-Chair of the walk and raised more than $3000 from Local 10 members. In his remarks at a luncheon before the walk, Thomas emphasized the importance of longshore workers advocating for cleaner technologies at the Port of Oakland.

“By walking, we demonstrate that we understand the peril posed to the community by air pollution from the port,” said Thomas, “I know members whose children have asthma. They had not been aware of this silent killer—diesel fumes—at the ports.”

Local 10 is now working on a “Regional Stakeholder Air Quality Plan” that is being developed together with the Port of Oakland, community activists, and local elected officials.