TO: All ILWU Locals and Affiliates
FROM: William E. Adams, International PresidentBobby Olvera, Jr., International Vice President, Mainland Ed Ferris, International Secretary-Treasurer
SUBJECT: Update on COVID-19
DATE: March 17, 2020
We are reaching out to acknowledge the challenging times facing our members and to invoke the strength and humanity of the ILWU family as we navigate through this difficult period.
As we face the uncertainty of a global health crisis with the continued spread of COVID-19, it is important that we all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. This is serious and we are in unchartered waters. Yesterday, the city and county of San Francisco announced a lockdown of all residents to “shelter in place” resulting in a shutdown of all non-essential businesses until April 7, 2020. Similar ordinances are going into effect around the country. The outcome is a dramatic drop in work and financial hardship for workers all around. The drop in work and the volatility in world markets is concerning. However, we want to reassure you that today, as always, the ILWU Titled Officers are working together to ensure that our members health and safety remains our number one priority. We are taking every precautionary measure to mitigate exposure to this disease.
As you know, in order to protect the health and safety of local delegates and committee members, and to support the effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and prevent sustained spread in this country, we postponed the International Executive Board meeting, Coast Longshore Division Caucus, and the ILWU LEAD Program. The ILWU International and Coast Longshore Division office have moved all staff to a remote work set up. We did not take these actions lightly and believe that we all have a part to play to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Things will likely get worse before they get better, but we will get through this. At this time, we must lean on the ILWU family for help and support and stay united.