With the current Longshore and Clerks’ Contract expiring just four months from now on midnight of June 30, 2014, the Coast Longshore Division Caucus began two weeks of meetings on February 24 that will establish member-based priorities for the new contract negotiations.

A democratic process

A team of 90 elected delegates representing workers from every West Coast port were joined by dozens of pensioners, special dignitaries, fraternal organizations and member-observers who filled the San Francisco meeting hall from morning ‘til night.

President’s welcome

Local 13 veteran Joe Cortez was elected Chair of the Caucus by delegates who also tapped Frank Ponce De Leon as Caucus Secretary. ILWU International President Bob McEllrath delivered brief introductory remarks that provided context and background for the discussions that followed.

“You’re here to set the agenda that our Negotiating Committee will follow,” he explained. “This is your Caucus – and you’ll be calling the shots.” McEllrath then laid out his perspective on issues that will shape the upcoming contract talks. He urged delegates to “hold the line,” and encouraged them to propose strategies to address the challenges ahead, including:

• Jurisdiction – efforts by the employers and other unions to poach Longshore jobs.

• Health Care & Pensions – increased employer & government pressure to cut benefits.

• Automation – employer efforts to replace workers with new technology.

In memory

Delegates responded warmly to a proposal by Southern California Pensioner’s Group President Greg Mitre who asked that the Caucus be dedicated to the memory of Victor Manuel Crespo Puerto who was murdered late last month by anti-union death squads in Honduras. Victor Crespo and his wife became assassination targets after his son led efforts to help Port workers secure a union contract at a newly privatized port managed by International Container Terminal Service Incorporated (ICTSI), a story that was detailed in last month’s Dispatcher. Other dedications were offered on behalf of fallen members Frank Cappiello, Sr., of Local 52; Ernie Di Villarico of Local 34; Reg Theriault, Eric Wright and Joy Daniels of Local 10; Local 10 pensioners Osborn Hill, Al Broussard, John Romo, Manny Simpson; and Ethyl Chester – widow of former Local 10 member and International Vice President, Bill Chester.

International support

Delegations of dockworkers from around the world attended the Caucus to convey their solidarity and support. Heading the list of dignitaries was Paddy Crumlin, President of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) which represents over 700 unions in 150 countries with 4.7 million workers.

In addition to serving as Chair of the ITF Dockers Section, Crumlin is General Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA). He urged ILWU delegates to remember that their upcoming contract struggle would be watched by dockworkers across the globe who draw inspiration from the ILWU’s strength and courage. “You can count on your friends at ports around the globe to be there if you need our help,” said Crumlin, who noted that powerful carriers and terminal operators are bent on squeezing union members on a global scale. He also cited recent struggles in Australia where dockers have been tangling with powerful employers, “just like the ones you’ll be facing in a few months.” He said MUA members are in the process of tackling new technology, “which we don’t oppose if employers are willing to negotiate the impacts on workers and ensure that they result in dignity and security instead of fear and insecurity.” Crumlin said MUA members at the Port of Brisbane decided to address new technology there by choosing a 32-hour work week with excellent pay that expanded the MUA’s membership and strength.

Another important solidarity delegation attending the Caucus was the International Dockers Council (IDC), led by General Coordinator Antolin Goya, representing 90,000 dockers around the globe. Goya also serves as the head of Coordinadora, the union representing 80% of dockworkers in Spain. Goya pledged that the IDC and Spanish dockers would “stand with you in solidarity” because “a victory by the ILWU will help dockworkers everywhere.”

Hawaiian solidarity

Recognizing that Hawaiian Longshore workers have their own contract that is negotiated separately from the mainland, President McEllrath made a point of acknowledging the delegation of Hawaiian Longshore Division leaders who attended the Caucus, led by Director Nate Lum, along with Wesley Furtado, International Vice President, Hawaii. The Hawaiian members were introduced and thanked for their pledges of solidarity and support.

Reports for delegates

The Longshore Division’s Coast Committee, consisting of International President Bob McEllrath, Vice President Ray Familathe, and Coast Committeemen Ray Ortiz, Jr., and Leal Sundet, reported on the critical issues expected to emerge in negotiations and gave suggestions and recommendations for delegates to consider as they debate goals and priorities during the two-week Caucus.

Pension & welfare

Additional reports were submitted by the Coast Pension & Welfare Committee that met in late January to prepare materials for Caucus members. Coast Benefits Specialist John Castanho led a series of presentations that provided delegates with detailed information about the union’s health insurance and pension plans. Experts and attorneys were also on hand to provide additional analysis and answer questions.

Thanking Nick Buckles

As the Dispatcher was going to press in late February, delegates were just beginning to debate the many resolutions that will guide the upcoming contract negotiations. The first resolution to be adopted by delegates was passed unanimously by a standing ovation of delegates who honored Local 32 member Nick Buckles, who started working on the docks in 1961 and served for 18 years as the ILWU’s Washington Area Welfare Director. Many heartfelt testimonials, including several filled with tears, accompanied the resolution and honorary plaque that Buckles accepted graciously from the Caucus. Next month’s Dispatcher will report on the conclusions reached by the Caucus and the next steps ahead in the 2014 contract negotiations.