IEB meets in Seattle
The ILWU’s International Executive Board met in Seattle, WA,
from August 13-14. The Executive Board meetings now rotate across different regions as part of the Titled Officers’ efforts to make it easier for members to observe the Board’s work, promote transparency, and re-engage the membership.
Over the three-day meeting, more than 60 rank-and-file members attended, including members from Locals 5, 13, 19, 22, 52, 100, the American Radio Association, and the Hawai’i Longshore Division Local 142.
In addition to the trustees’ report, officers’ reports, and local area and committee reports, the Board debated and passed two new statements of policy introduced by the Programs and Policies Committee.
Legislative report
The legislative report was presented by Senior Policy Advisor Alexa Jurczak, who emphasized the union’s efforts to advocate for the political interests of ILWU members across various regions and divisions. She discussed the impact the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) will have on workers, including cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. The OBBBA is projected to significantly increase the budget deficit, which will trigger mandatory Medicaid cuts starting in 2026, unless Congress adopts additional measures (See the July/August 2025 issue of the Dispatcher).|
Jurczak also highlighted that the ILWU mobilized members and pensioners to help remove a dangerous provision in the OBBBA that would have prevented states from enacting or enforcing laws related to artificial intelligence and automation.
that protects human rights. An injury to one is an injury to all.
Job Corps at risk
Jurczak also highlighted a bipartisan effort to protect Job Corps, the federal job training and education program for working-class youth. The Trump Administration’s Department of Labor had slated the program for elimination. Lobbying efforts by the ILWU and other unions successfully kept it operational for at least another year.
Defunding Job Corps would result in the closure of the Inlandboatmen’s Union’s Tongue Point Seamanship Training Center in Astoria, OR, which offers maritime training and certifications to youth who cannot afford the costly tuition at private maritime schools. Many Tongue Point graduates have joined the IBU after
graduation. The conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation, which initiated Project 2025, has long sought to eliminate Job Corps, a program that has helped working-class youth develop vital skills since its inception in 1964. The focus is now on securing long-term support for the program.
President’s report
ILWU International President Bobby Olvera, Jr.’s report focused on his trip to Washington, D.C., from July 21 to 23, where he attended 28 meetings
over five days with legislators and federal agencies. He discussed issues important to the ILWU and used the opportunity to build relationships with members of Congress, reintroducing them to the union and the diverse membership and industries the ILWU represents.
Among the issues he discussed were the reconciliation bill (OBBBA), the future of work with AI/automation, the future of Job Corps, the impact of tariffs on the ILWU workforce, the impacts of immigration and ICE raids, and port security concerns.
“I didn’t want to go to DC with a long list of items to ask for from legislators who don’t even know us,” Olvera said. “The goal was to strengthen our relationships with members of Congress and help them understand the ILWU and the issues that are important to our members.”
Prior to the meetings, legislators received a copy of Olvera’s article, “It’s
about policies, not political parties or politicians,” from the April 2025 issue of the Dispatcher. ”We will be active and engaged on policies that impact our union–supporting legislation that benefits the ILWU and opposing legislation that is against our interests,” he said.
Federal agency meetings
Olvera also met with several federal agencies, including the Maritime Administration (MARAD), where he met with Acting Administrator Sang Yi to discuss port security concerns related to automation and Chinese cranes. He also met with the Department of Labor’s Deputy Secretary Keith Soderling, who outlined the administration’s priorities regarding artificial intelligence and worker programs. Additionally, Olvera participated in a first-ever meeting with USTRANSCOM, where the discussion centered on the importance of maritime readiness, the movement of military cargo, and the role of the ILWU workforce.
House Labor Caucus
Pres. Olvera also met with 16 members of the House Labor Caucus and nearly 50 congressional staffers. The legislative committee will follow up on this trip by arranging meetings with legislators in their home districts, along with members from ILWU locals they represent, to build stronger ongoing relationships.
Local 5 Leaders
The IEB heard from leaders of Local 5, one of the union’s fastest-growing locals. Representatives from each of Local 5’s divisions—retail/warehouse, non-profit, early education, and veterinary medicine—discussed the diverse industries and workplaces they serve and their ongoing efforts to grow the ILWU in Portland.
Statements of Policy
The Executive Board unanimously approved two statements of policy: “Opposing Anti-Worker Artificial Intelligence and Automation Technologies” and “Condemning Attacks on Migrants.”
Malauulu endorsement
The Board also unanimously endorsed Local 13 member Vivian Malauulu, who is running for Long Beach City Council, District 7. The next International Executive Board meeting will be held in San Pedro, CA, from December 9-12.