Delegates to the union’s 35th Convention in San Diego spent June 4-8 reflecting on the important struggles that were waged during the past three years – ultimately choosing unity to guide the ILWU through the daunting challenges ahead.
Three years of difficult struggles International President Bob McEllrath set the tone for the convention with an opening address that was delivered shortly after the opening gavel on Monday morning. He cited an impressive list of struggles in his “state of the union” speech. (Note – the President’s prepared remarks can be found by clicking here.)
“We’ve spent the past three years fighting employers who came at us from all sides with everything they had,” said McEllrath. Among the struggles he listed were:
• The epic battle to protect ILWU jurisdiction at the EGT grain terminal in Longview, WA.
• The successful effort by Local 30 members to beat Rio Tinto’s lockout in Boron, CA.
• The first contract victory by Rite Aid workers at the distribution center in Lancaster, CA.
• Successful contract campaigns by workers at Georgia-Pacific in Portland and Bayer in Berkeley.
• Solidarity efforts to help dockworkers in New Zealand and the Netherlands, union members in Wisconsin, Ohio and Arizona, and workers at Rio Tinto’s facility in Alma, Quebec.
McEllrath noted that these struggles took place during a “great recession” that has lasted over three years, robbing working class families of 39% 13 million unemployed. McEllrath concluded by posing some sharp questions to delegates about the ILWU’s relationship to the AFL-CIO, asking if the union coalition is “part of the solution or part of the problem,” and whether the “ILWU should be in or out.”
These questions became the basis for the liveliest and lengthiest debate that happened three days later at the convention, lasting several hours but ultimately reaching a unanimous decision that underscored the desire for unity.
Committees kept busy
Following a lengthy standing ovation, McEllrath recessed the convention until the following day, but the work for delegates was just beginning. Unlike most unions that allow top officers to hand-pick the delegates who serve on key committees, the ILWU has an open system allowing delegates to participate and vote on any committee they chose.
Shortly before adjourning, International Vice President (Hawaii) Wesley Furtado announced a preliminary Credentials Report indicating that 305 delegates were registered and eligible to serve on committees, with another 46 fraternal delegates eligible to participate but not vote. International Vice President (Mainland) Ray Familathe announced that delegates were free to choose the committee of their choice and could change their preliminary assignments during the next 24-hour period.
Credentials Committee met early
While the Resolution and Constitution Committees attracted the largest number of delegates, the smaller Credentials Committee had already been meeting early during the Convention to make some difficult decisions, based on their Constitutional duty to ensure each local sending delegates was in good standing with their per-capita payments.
Resolutions on every subject
Many ILWU policies are established through the passage of resolutions at each convention. Most resolutions are initiated by local members who win the support for their idea at their local union, then bring their resolution to the convention for consideration by all delegates. At the convention, the proposed resolutions must first win support from a majority of Committee delegates before they can reach the convention floor. This can generate an intense workload; the Resolutions Committee considered over 40 separate resolutions – each one read aloud by the sponsor, then questioned, debated and sometimes amended by Committee delegates.
Even resolutions that pass the Committee aren’t guaranteed passage on the convention floor, because each is subject to further debate and a majority vote from all delegates. A host of resolutions won passage and were adopted; for a complete list, click here. Among the highlights were:
• A resolution affiliating the Panama Canal Pilots Union with the ILWU and providing them with representation on the International Executive Board.
This was the first resolution adopted by Convention delegates. It was motivated by International Vice President Familathe, who explained how he first recognized the benefits of a possible affiliation during the 2002 longshore lockout when the Panama Pilots responded quickly to his solidarity call. In 2010,
President McEllrath authorized Familathe to seriously explore an affiliation agreement that took shape a year later, following a visit by ILWU officers and Latin America Liaison Greg Mitre who met with their counterparts in Panama.
Delegates unanimously passed the affiliation resolution, then cheered for many minutes to welcome the ILWU’s newest affiliate. Panama Canal Pilots Union Secretary- General Rainero Salas, Business Manager Aevaro Moreno and Trustee Londor Rankin thanked the ILWU officers and delegates for the warm welcome and exchanged gifts.
• A resolution authorizing International President McEllrath to withdraw from the AFL-CIO – if and when he feels it is in the best interest of the ILWU.
The debate on this resolution was the longest and most passionate of any at the convention. Many delegates expressed anger and frustration that the AFL-CIO had failed to prevent another member union from accepting work at the EGT grain terminal in Longview, Washington – while ILWU members were locked in a bitter jurisdictional struggle with the company. While some delegates expressed concern that leaving the AFL-CIO could lead to isolation during the 2014 longshore negotiations, reduce access to resources, and subject the ILWU to more raiding from other unions, most delegates expressed a deep sense of betrayal and disrespect stemming from the EGT experience. In the end, delegates voted unanimously for a resolution authorizing President McEllrath to decide if and when the ILWU should leave the AFL-CIO.
• A resolution endorsing Barack Obama for a second term.
This resolution was also controversial, sparking a debate that attracted many speakers to the microphone from across the political spectrum. Many were critical of his willingness to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits – instead of raising taxes on the rich to save those programs.
Others criticized his cowardice toward Wall Street and appointment of investment bankers who arranged a taxpayer bailout for the big firms, while doing little to help millions of homeowners who lost their homes or are deeply underwater. Some attacked his escalation of the war in Afghanistan and “war on terror” at home that sparked the wasteful and ineffective Transit Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.
Several rose to criticize Obama’s timid support for labor reform that would have made it easier for workers to join unions. And the President’s health care plan attracted the scorn of nearly everyone because he dropped the “public option,” agreed to subsidize private insurance companies, and cut employer tax credits for many union health plans. But when the debate wound down, the specter of Mitt Romney’s avowed anti-union administration in the White House was something delegates just couldn’t stomach. So the vast majority voted in favor of a resolution endorsing President Obama for a second term.
Stronger solidarity with the ILA
The appearance by President Harold Daggett of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) signaled a growing effort to increase solidarity among dockworkers in North America. With the ILA’s 30,000 dockers on the East Coast and Gulf Ports, a stronger alliance between both unions has emerged as a priority for the Presidents in both International Unions.
Daggett assumed the Presidency last year, but has been a part of the ILA’s top leadership for years. This was his first Presidential visit to an ILWU Convention. Daggett made an effort to demonstrate his respect for the ILWU. As a young man, Daggett travelled to Long Beach during the 1970’s during the last ILA coastwise strike, where he witnessed impressive solidarity from ILWU Local 13 members. More recently, Daggett spoke out to reporters during the ILWU’s struggle against EGT in Longview, saying he “agreed with Big Bob that fighting for good jobs in America shouldn’t be a crime.” And at an industry speech this past spring in Long Beach, Daggett praised the ILWU and thanked President McEllrath “for standing up and telling employers that the ILWU is 100% behind us.” With the ILA’s longhsore contract expiring September 30, 2012, and the ILWU contract expiring in July of 2014, both unions are poised to benefit from increased solidarity.
Daggett noted that many of the ILA’s top contract concerns are familiar to ILWU members, including: automation, jurisdiction over chassis pools, container weights, safety and training. The ILA President made a point of noting that 14 workers had already died on the job during the past year – a situation he condemned and said required more aggressive safety programs and closer monitoring of overweight containers.
Daggett concluded by airing frustration over the number of non-longshore unions that are encroaching on ILA and ILWU jurisdiction, and he suggested that it may be time to consider a new Maritime Labor Alliance instead of the traditional Maritime Trades Department at the AFL-CIO.
Solidarity abroad remains strong
The ILWU’s traditional emphasis on international solidarity remained a feature of the 35th convention in San Diego and included a distinguished panel of union officers from around the world:
• Newly-elected ILWU Canada President Mark Gordienko was introduced and welcomed to the convention. Gordienko is a longtime leader of Local 500 in Vancouver, BC and recently succeeded ILWU Canada President Tom Dufresne who served in that post for 16 years. President McEllrath presented Dufresne with an ILWU “hook” mounted on a plaque, and praised his years of dedicated service to members and the union. Gordienko noted that he and Dufresne had spoken earlier with ILWU Canada members about the fight with EGT in Longview and secured a commitment of $50 per member. Gordienko then presented President McEllrath with a check in the amount of $137,000 to help the International Union pay some of the legal fees stemming from the EGT struggle. The generosity was recognized by delegates with a standing ovation.
• Paddy Crumlin, National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has been well-received at previous ILWU conventions and his address to delegates of the 35th Convention was no less inspiring. A gifted speaker, Crumlin provided a quick overview of labor’s enemies, then outlined the need for militant action and solidarity to hold the line against employers and government officials who are attacking dockworkers and the working class. Crumlin said the future would look brighter with a stronger alliance that linked the ILWU, ILA and International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). He hinted that positive changes would be coming soon to the ITF, and the following day delegates were introduced to Steve Cotton, who will assume a new role as ITF General Secretary. This change was praised by both Crumlin and Vice President (Mainland) Ray Familathe.
• ILWU Vice President (Hawaii) Wesley Furtado introduced a longtime ILWU friend, President Akinobu Itoh of the All-Japan Dockworkers Union, or Zenkowan. Furtado praised President Itoh and the Japanese dockers for their solidarity in helping workers at the Pacific Beach Hotel in Hawaii, and noted that Zenkowan also supported the battle against EGT in Longview. President Itoh thanked ILWU members for sending generous contributions to help Zenkowan’s 1800 union members who lived in areas that were devastated by the March, 2011 earthquake.
• Honoring a long tradition, a “Solidarity and Friendship” agreement was signed in front of delegates by President Itoh, President McEllrath and Vice President (Hawaii) Wesley Furtado. He ended by presenting ILWU officers with a gift of beautiful hand-carved Japanese dolls.
• A Thursday morning speech by Bob Crow, General Secretary of Britain’s Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT) provided inspiration for the remainder of the day. Crow pulled no punches when it came to condemning politicians who turn their backs on workers – and explained why he calls himself a Socialist for seeking a more democratic society where decisions would be made by workers, not just bankers and bosses. Following a fiery speech and standing ovation, Crow and National Secretary Steve Todd presented a solidarity gift of fine Scotch whiskey to the ILWU officers, earning another round of applause from the delegates.
• General Secretary Joe Fleetwood of the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) attended the convention with National President Garry Parsloe. Fleetwood explained that the bonds between the MUNZ and ILWU go back to 1951 when West Coast longshore workers provided help during a lockout in New Zealand that lasted 151 days. Fleetwood then explained how 60 years later, dockers in Auckland are now battling a similar lockout aiming to destroy their union. He praised the ILWU for sending Vice President (Mainland) Familathe and a delegation of workers to Auckland, and for the local delegations in the U.S. who visited New Zealand Embassies in Washington, DC and West Coast cities. Fleetwood concluded by inviting the ILWU to their union’s national conference in November.
Pensioners recognized and appreciated
International Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams provided a generous introduction for Pacific Coast Pensioners Association (PCPA) President Rich Austin, Sr. He noted that Austin had held almost every position in the union during his 40-plus years of service to the ILWU. Austin’s latest venture, said
Adams, is a radio show that’s focused on working families – and holding politicians accountable. Austin took the podium to thank the officers for supporting the Pensioners by including them in key meetings and legislative trips to Washington, DC. He also announced that the PCPA Executive Board is chartering a new San Diego club and will continue to encourage all pensioners to live by the motto: “We retire from the job, but not from the struggle.”
Rite Aid worker victory celebrated
The five-year fight by 500 Rite Aid workers in Lancaster, CA was noted by Vice President (Mainland) Ray Familathe who took the podium to remind delegates that it had been one year since Rite Aid workers voted overwhelmingly to approve their first contract. He explained that Rite Aid continues to challenge the union and has been harassing, threatening and firing union supporters in Lancaster. He then introduced Local 26 President Luisa Gratz and fired Rite Aid worker Debbie Jorgensen. Gratz said since the contract was signed a year ago, Local 26 has filed 200 grievances and 128 arbitrations and seen 20 terminations that include top union leaders. One of the terminated workers was Debbie Jorgensen, who cautiously approached the microphone to explain she had been fired on February 23, and that the company was creating a hostile work environment and targeting union supporters. Delegates responded with a standing ovation, and quickly passed a resolution pledging support for the ongoing struggle by Rite Aid workers.
Nominating ILWU leaders
Unlike most unions, ILWU officials are nominated – but not elected – by the convention delegates. Votes for the nominated officers are made by individual members, according to the principle of “one member, one vote.”
The nomination process for the four “Titled Officers” was filled with praise and appreciation, but there was no drama: International President Bob McEllrath, Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams, Vice President (Mainland) Ray Familathe and Vice President (Hawaii) Wesley Furtado were all re-nominated without any opposition. Nominations for the International Executive Board followed. Statements and photos were solicited from each candidate.
Honoring the fallen
Delegates received sad news midway through the Convention, when President McEllrath announced the death of longtime Hawaiian-born ILWU activist Avelino “Abba” Ramos who grew up on a sugar plantation in Hilo. McEllrath said Ramos had been a longtime Local 6 officer, member of the International Executive Board, and served as an International Representative.
Local 6 Secretary-Treasurer Fred Pecker said he had been influenced by Ramos’ dedication to organizing new workers, noting that Ramos first talked about organizing port truckers before anyone else. Delegates honored Ramos with a moment of silence. Two weeks later, Pecker and Adams attended a crowded memorial service at Local 6 in Oakland. Other departed members and allies who were remembered at the Convention include Local 94 member Steve Saggiani who was killed on the job; Local 94 member Felix Meraz, Jr.; Local 19 member Paul Stuart who was killed on the job; Local 23 President
Scott Mason asked the Convention to honor his father and brother – both Local 23 members who passed away within a month of each other last year; former International Executive Board member Pete Hendrickson of Alaska; James Hendricks, husband of Local 40 member Martha Hendricks; former Local 13 President and 94 member Tony Sandoval; longtime ILWU leaders and Pensioners Bill Ward of San Francisco and Frank Kennedy of ILWU Canada; former Local 10 Business Agent Al Garrett; and Griff Farriello who chaired the Harry Bridges Plaza Committee in San Francisco.
A special “thank you”
As the 35th ILWU Convention was winding down on the final day, the International Officers announced that they intended to honor a “special person.” Longtime ILWU staffer Linda Kuhn was then asked to approach the podium, where McEllrath and the other officers honored Kuhn for her 47 years of service, including 22 years as Executive Secretary to the Titled Officers. A host of testimonials and “thank-you’s” followed from delegates. Before it was over, Kuhn was showered with gifts, including hotel accommodations and airplane tickets to exotic locales.
Host Committee and staff thanked
The Southern California Host Committee received a standing ovation for their efforts to care for delegates, guests and family members during the weeklong convention. The Committee organized four spectacular dinner events, including a beach party, food truck feed at San Diego’s cruise terminal, buffet on the aircraft carrier Midway, and a beautiful banquet dinner at the hotel Del Coronado. Committee Chair Mark Jurisic thanked everyone on his hardworking team: Mitch Ewing, Luke Hollingsworth, Victor Hudak, Ralph Espino, Scott Del Primo, Brian Whatley and Jose “Nacho” Enriquez – who along with Local 29 President Ray Leyba –were responsible for hosting the successful convention.
President McEllrath concluded by thanking each of the ILWU International staff by name. Before bringing down his gavel the final time, McEllrath announced that the ILWU’s 36th Convention would take place in Hawaii in 2015. The final motion to adjourn was made just a few minutes after noon on Friday, June 8, followed by handshakes and hugs among delegates who left the Del Coronado ballroom for the final time.