Welcome back to Contract2008.org!
Your source for timely, accurate information about the fight for a fair Longshore contract in 2008.
25,000 longshore workers, clerks and foremen in 30 local unions who move our nation’s cargo in California, Oregon and Washington. Our contract, which sets benefits, pay and working conditions, expires July 1. Negotiating for the new Contract began on March 17 and is continuing.
NEW THIS WEEK:
25,000 Longshore Workers Say ‘No’ to War
May 1, 2008 was a great day for America. 25,000 Longshore workers, clerks, supercargoes, foremen and walking bosses in all 29 West Coast ports stood strong to say “no” to the war in Iraq and demand that our troops be allowed to return home safely to their families.
The national and global news media spread our word across the globe. Members of Congress told us we had their support.
Many of us received calls from people who said “God bless you,” or just “thank you for doing this.”
Fellow citizens showed up at our dispatch halls with kind words, flags and apple pies.
We took a stand for our country, and we are proud to be members of the greatest union in the world: the ILWU.
Download the flier by clicking on the image above or on this link.
Send us your photos and stories
If you were at one of the dozens of rallies and events, pend us your photos and stories! Send them to Craig Merrilees at craig@ilwu.org, or ILWU, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco CA, 94109.
MAY 1 NEWS RELEASE:
Longshore workers are standing down at West Coast ports
“We’re standing up for America, we’re supporting the troops, and we’re telling politicians that it’s time to end the Iraq war now!”
MAY 1: More than 25,000 longshore workers at 29 west coast ports are exercising their First Amendment rights today by taking a day off work and calling for an end to the war in Iraq.
“Longshore workers are standing-down on the job and standing up for America,” said ILWU International President Bob McEllrath. “We’re supporting the troops and telling politicians in Washington that it’s time to end the war in Iraq.”
McEllrath says rank-and-file members made their own democratic decision in early February when Longshore Caucus delegates voted to take action on May 1. Employers were notified of the plan, but refused to accommodate the union’s request despite plenty of advance notice. The employer group, represented by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) consists of large carriers and port operators, most of which are foreign-owned.
“Big foreign corporations that control global shipping aren’t loyal or accountable to any country,” said McEllrath. “For them it’s all about making money. But longshore workers are different. We’re loyal to America, and we won’t stand by while our country, our troops, and our economy are destroyed by a war that’s bankrupting us to the tune of 3-trillion dollars. It’s time to stand up, and we’re doing our part today.”
See our new Action Tools page
We have created a page on this site where you can download the latest issue of the Bargaining Bulletin and other workplace fliers, as well as see an updated list of things you can do to support the ILWU in its quest for good jobs, safer docks, and cleaner air.
Bargaining Bulletin:
Bargaining Bulletin #1: Bargaining Begins
Bargaining Bulletin #2: Longshore Work is Too Deadly
Click here to see the Action Tools page.
Bargaining started March 17:
The ILWU negotiating committee (above) has presented its contract demands to the employer and started negotiating for good jobs, safer jobs and cleaner air. Check the Bargaining update page for regular updates.
