Challenging discussions: The ILWU’s International Subcommittee on Organizing met in Tacoma in early October. Discussions and new ideas were encouraged from over 30 participants who included rank-and-file members, officers and organizing staff.
ILWU’s International Officers have launched a series of regional meetings aimed at sharpening the union’s approach to organizing. The most recent involved a meeting and workshop for the Puget Sound Region that was held at Local 23 and attracted 30 participants.
“Our goal,” says ILWU Vice President (Mainland) Bobby Olvera, Jr., “is to involve leaders from every part of the union to come together, share ideas, consider different strategies and find ways to participate in the organizing process.” Olvera is coordinating the discussions which are open to local union officers as well as rank-and- file members.
Members of the International Executive Board volunteered to serve on the Organizing Subcommittee earlier this year. The Committee’s first meeting took place in Los Angeles at Local 26 on June 25-26. Future events will be scheduled in other regions, beginning with the Columbia River on January 27-28, 2020.
At the Puget Sound meeting, Lead Organizer Jon Brier gave a presentation that framed the discussion around long-term changes in marine cargo logistics – and how those changes are impacting union jobs and ILWU power. Participants then broke into regional groups to identify examples of supply chain solidarity in recent ILWU and IBU campaigns, assess the strengths and challenges in those fights, and explore strategies for new organizing.
Those participating in the Tacoma meeting included leaders and members from Locals 9, 19, 22, 23, 47, 52, the Inlandboatmen’s Union (ILWU Marine Division) National Office and Puget Sound Region, and the Alaska Longshore Division (ALD) and ALD Unit 60.
IBU Secretary-Treasurer Terri Mast attended with some newer IBU members. “They told me the meeting made them feel empowered by learning what it means to organize along the supply chain,” said Mast. “It was refreshing to see the different divisions of our union coming together to talk honestly about our past mistakes and disagreements – part of the process we need to build real solidarity.”
Members of the International Organizing Committee include Local 6 Secretary-Treasurer Chris Castaing, Local 5 Union Representative Myka Dubay, Local 63-OCU President John Fageaux, Local 63 President Joe Gasparov, Local 26 President Luisa Gratz, Local 22 President Dax Koho, Local 23 President Dean McGrath, Local 19 member Dan McKisson and IBU President Marina Secchitano. Staff included Organizing Director Ryan Dowling, Puget Sound Lead Organizer Jon Brier, and Columbia River Organizer Ryan Takas.
“Organizing is crucial to our union and this meeting gave me a chance to hear from leaders and organizing staff about what lies ahead,” said International Executive Board member Dan McKisson from Local 19, who added that he liked the mix of senior and younger people who attended. “I also appreciate the effort to hold talks in every region, and identify local targets and criteria. The meeting was a great step towards ramping up our organizing to a new level.”