I recently went on a trip to Panama. Before leaving I remembered the Panama Canal Pilots had affiliated with the ILWU. Through friends at the longshore caucus, I made contact with ILWU Vice President Ray Familathe, who was able to get me in contact with a few of the pilots before I left.
I am a member of Local 98, Puget Sound Foreman, so I have the opportunity to work with members from many different locals. As time was short before I left, I made contact with only the closest locals and picked up some shirts and hats to give to our Panamanian Brothers and Sisters. I made my initial contact with ILWU International Executive Board member, Captain Londor Rankin and within moments I had a response and contact information for some other brothers from Panama including Rainiero Salas, Secretary General (President) of their union. I was immediately impressed with the generosity and sincerity of the men that I was communicating with. I was asked about my needs or interests that they might be able to help with and they made themselves available for assistance if it was needed it.
I called Londor after arriving at our hotel. He was working “in the canal” so our conversation was broken up between him moving a ship in the locks. We made plans to meet the next day. Being ignorant of the Canal and the pilot’s shifts, I called Londor about 9:00 a.m. and made arrangements to meet. My traveling party planned to leave for the resort about 3:00 p.m. so our time was limited. He picked me up and we began a whirlwind tour of Panama City. Londor ran me out to see the Canal, Miraflores and Pedro
Miguel locks, the Pilot station, and their union hall. We grabbed a quick lunch and had some time to sit and talk. That is when I found out that Londor’s transit of the canal ended after 5:00 a.m. I felt guilty that I ruined his sleep, but I was also amazed at his commitment to help me and his generosity with his time.
He said that their union meeting was the following Wednesday, and invited me to meet more of the Pilots. I said I would love to but was I staying about 70 miles away and the group needed our van that night. Londor said they could work it out and arrange to pick me up and get me home.
Wednesday came and Pilot Orlando Rebolledo made arrangements to drive two hours west to pick me up for the union meeting. We drove and talked. Orlando explained that his son, Orlando, Jr., was a graduate of the Maritime Academy and had recently flown to LAX to meet his ship at the Port of Long Beach. The agent had failed to meet him at the airport and he was stranded at LAX. He was in a foreign country and didn’t know anyone, or any have contacts. Orlando Jr., called his father, who then called Londor to see if he knew anyone that could help. Londor called Ray Familathe—who was in San Francisco at the time—and Ray assured Londor he would find a brother to help. Ray called Stefan Muller, ITF inspector in Los Angeles. Stefan soon had Orlando Jr. in transit to a hotel and made arrangements to pick him up in the morning to deliver him to the gangway of his ship. The connection was relayed back to Orlando Sr., much to his relief. I felt privileged to share in this story and also proud of our union and the solidarity we share.
Orlando Sr. sent an email to Vice President Familathe thanking him for helping out his son and really sums up the importance of our union brotherhood. He wrote: “I can’t find the words to thank you for doing me the great favor of helping my son. I have strived to teach my children the importance of friendship. Although in our line of work the more accurate term would be brotherhood. When Londor called me to tell me he had spoken with you and everything was under control I realized how important it was to be a member of this ILWU brotherhood.”
We made it to the union hall in time for dinner before the meeting. They provide dinner for the pilots because some are coming straight from the canal and others are leaving the meeting heading to the canal. Orlando introduced me to Secretary General Rainiero Salas (Ray S). I was given an opportunity to address the body and I was greeted very warmly. After the meeting I was able to talk with Ray S. one-on-one. We shared stories about our work, our unions, passions and concerns. The more we talked the more I realized the unique fit and blend that our unions have. Secretary General Salas shared how the pilots became interested in the ILWU and that it went all the way back to the lockout and negotiations of 2002. Londor Rankin, who was then serving as Secretary General of the Panama Canal Pilots, was invited to sit in on some of the negotiations, and from what I understand the employers were not at all happy Pilots is a part of that tradition. Solidarity doesn’t always have to be a labor action or rally. Small acts of member-to-member solidarity and friendship like helping out a brother or sister who is in a tough spot help make this union great.”
I had a great trip to Panama. Some of the greatest highlights for me were meeting new friends and union brothers. We really do have a great Union and the fit with the I.L.W.U. and the Panama Canal Pilots is truly a good one.
– Rodney A. Edgbert