Login/Register Login | Register
119 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 37 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing Summarizing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

Thank You ILWU!

By       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   5 comments

Rowan Wolf
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Rowan Wolf
Become a Fan
  (2 fans)
My hat is off to the courage of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union which has decided to stage an eight hour "stop work" on May Day (May 1) to protest the Iraq occupation. Longshore and Warehouse Union members across the west coast of the United states have called an eight hour "stop work" on the day shift (April 2008 ILWU Dispatcher). This will close 29 ports on the west coast. They are calling for the immediate and safe return of U.S. troops. This is a brave move for the workers and the Union. While the ILWU has a right to have a "stop work" meeting in its contract, such "meetings" are to be announced in advance and approved by the Pacific Maritime Association which represents employers. Apparently approval is routine, but that is not for day shift meetings. The PMA challenged the May 1 stoppage through an arbitrator who told the ILWU to notify its members that the stoppage will not happen. The ILWU has not canceled the stoppage. In fact, according to an ILWU spokesman Craig Merrilees:
"The Longshore Caucus resolution calling on all locals to honor May 1 by taking action to end the war and bring the troops home safely from Iraq continues to move forward. Various voluntary rallies and public demonstrations are scheduled for May Day."
Information above is from the SF Gate article by George Raines "Clash ahead over longshore union war protest, 4/26/08 So it looks like the Longshore and Warehouse Union members are going forward with their statement to the politicians and the nation. Whether they will listen remains to be seen. Whether the corporate media will cover the ILWU remains to be seen. Whether the Bush administration will stretch the law to go after the ILWU for interfering with "critical infrastructure" as was approved under Public Law 108-458: Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, also remains to be seen. Thank you workers of ILWU for taking a stand!
Rate It | View Ratings

Rowan Wolf Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Rowan Wolf is an activist and sociologist living in Oregon. She is the founder and principle author of Uncommon Thought Journal, and Editor in Chief of Cyrano's Journal Today.

Related Topic(s): ILWU; Occupation; Union-Worker Issues-Labor, Add Tags
Add to My Group(s)
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Occupy Wall Street: The Roots of a Social Movement

Acinetobacter Baumannii: We Need to Know

High Crime - and Profit - in Jailing Kids: Monopoly Capitalism at Work

Keeping an Eye on Turkey

Gas Shortage Across Southeastern U.S.

Can the Power of Love Heal the Wounds of War? Veterans Meet the Black Madonna

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend