Published by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union www.ilwu.org VOL 77, NO 7 • JULY/AUGUST 2019 THE INSIDE NEWS Local 7 clerical workers win contact battle 2 Canada marks 84th anniversary of the Battle of Ballntyne 3 Dispatcher changes ahead 3 TRANSITIONS 8 Taking action: IBU members picketed the MV Columbia in Ketchikan in late July. IBU workers on the Columbia, Flagship of the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet, were the first to strike this month – and the first to strike 42 years ago when the IBU was forced out in 1977. IBU Members Win ILWU locals celebrate Bloody Thursday page 4 Strike at Alaska Marine Highway System y late 2018, the Inland- year contract which included 31 ten- Background on health insurance boatmen’s Union of the tative agreements – contract changes The State offers workers a choice Pacific had been bar- approved and signed by both parties, of a standard plan or economy health B along with wage increases of 3%, 1%, gaining for 2 years to secure a insurance plans. Those who couldn’t 1%, and raising workers’ share of contract for 400 workers at the afford the standard plan, which costs health insurance premiums to 15%. members over $350 per month, Alaska Marine Highway System. The State’s offer also included no would choose the economy plan The IBU represents the largest adjustment to raise wages for crew- with high deductibles and more out- group of employees among members of the MV Lituya to help of-pocket costs, but no premium cost several unions that represent them reach parity with workers on sharing. When the state demanded public ferry system workers. other vessels. It also left intact a cost IBU members to start paying 15% of of living differential (COLD) that paid On February 19, 2019, the newly the premiums for both plans, mem- non-resident union members about elected Governor released his pro- bers were determined to fight indefi- $4 dollars less per hour than Alas- posed budget that called for cutting nitely. They had also not received a kan residents – although the State the ferry system by more than 1/3, wage increase for 3 years, so this pro- agreed in principle to eliminate the along with slashing other public ser- posal would have set workers back COLD differential and boost the MV vices in Alaska, including educa- even further. Lituya wages, but had not yet signed- tion, senior housing and community State offers a 1-year roll-over off on those items. Members were medical aid. As the budget cuts were adamantly opposed to approving a When the IBU returned to bar- announced, a group of businesses contract with higher health premi- gaining under the new governor, the continued talking about privatizing ums. This made it impossible for the State offered a one year “roll over” of the public ferry system – talk that union to seek membership approval the contract, meaning no changes to continues to this day. of the “supposal” package. The State the terms and conditions, no wage In the last negotiations before the responded by shutting down nego- increases or health increases. We new governor took office, the State tiations hours before the election of were agreeable to this idea – until gave the IBU a “supposal” for a three- Governor Mike Dunleavy. continued on page 6 Postmaster: Send address changes to The Dispatcher, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109-6800. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Dispatcher, DISPATCHER • July/August 2019 1 Long game strategy yields big gain for Bellingham port workers LWU Local 7 Clerical work- Enter ILWU Lead Organizer, ers at the Port of Bellingham Jon Brier, who held several train- have ratified a three-year ings and coaching sessions that I helped the group discover their contract that covers reception- power away from the bargaining ists, clerks, accountants, secre- table. By organizing and uniting the taries, and operation specialists group, Brier helped them identify who work at Bellingham’s sea- their natural allies in the commu- side port facilities and nearby nity, such as other labor organiza- airport until 2022. tions like Jobs With Justice, and in The Negotiating Committee was turn amplify their power at the table composed of veterans Bryson Tripp with several very public displays of and Tony Flaherty – along with solidarity. With this larger base in recently drafted member and natural the community and with generous help from ILWU retirees like John Negotiating committee: (From left to right) Tony Flaherty, Bryson horse-trader Nick Erb. Tripp and Nick Erb. Munson, the whole bargaining unit Four years ago, Flaherty and soon realized they could punch well They also researched the Port’s finan- being delivered in the first year of Tripp represented the same group of above their weight. cial situation and gathered data on the contract. workers and helped secure their last comparable jobs at other ports in contract negotiated under very dif- The results were better than Well done Local 7 - way to orga- their region. ferent circumstances. The economy expected, but still far from what was nize, unite, and fight to win the long then was still under major duress and needed to keep up with Bellingham’s The organizing, solidarity and game! some port commissioners were indif- rising cost of living. Since that last research paid off big-time in recent Submitted by IBU Puget Sound ferent and recalcitrant. So the bar- round however, Flaherty, Tripp, and bargaining when they negotiated, Regional Director Peter Hart and gaining team played the long game other Port workers kept organizing, and members ratified, an agreement IBU Puget Sound Passenger by developing a working relationship building new relationships, and par- to boost wages 18% over four years. Business Agent Ryan Brazeau with the Bellingham community. ticipating in local solidarity efforts. Nearly half of the big increase is BALMA celebrates 2019 scholarship winners he Bay Area Longshore- Students were treated to a dinner Harry Bridges Memorial recipi- Contreras, LaSarah Cheney, Luke men’s Memorial Asso- held in the Henry Schmidt Room, ents were Natalie So, Ayana’a Sud- Duhagon, Loryn Hall, Kiana Boze- ciation (BALMA) held where they mingled with BALMA duth, Tyler Lee, Maya Jenkins, Bran- man, Allyson Bacuyani, Geordan T leaders, including President John don Martinez, Kidest Befikadu, Aileen Scott, Joel Alem, Ayren Griffen and their 2019 scholarship awards Castanho, Vice-President Trevyn Villalpando, Emelyn Alvarez, Richard Gemma Lira Araujo. dinner on Tuesday, June 25th McCoy, Secretary Vanetta Hamlin, Lira Gonzalez, Alfredo Lira, Christy BALMA Scholarship winners at local #10 in San Francisco. Treasurer Mike Villeggiante, Secre- Lira Araujo, Nicole Elmore, Alyssa were Alfredo Orellana, Anthony The event celebrates promis- tary Angelique Meyer, along with Gaskin, Krista Semenero, Dariyona Ong, Lillian Torres-Mendez. Kobe ing students chosen to receive volunteers Gina Villeggiante, Noelle Bridges and Maryalexis Gutierrez. Kiener and Lanell Cheney. support from one of six dif- DeMartini and Larissa David. Jean- Frank Cresci Scholarship recip- ILWU Credit Union recipients ferent scholarship programs. nette Morino, Business Development ients were Sarah Sensabaugh and were Kendal Reed, Olubori Babaoye, All applications were judged Specialist for the ILWU Credit Union Janet Lira Gonzalez. Delilah Beverly, Trinity So, Jaleal Wil- Credit Union, also attended. by an outside advisor not af- William “Bill” Chester Scholar- liams-Evans and Marco Anguiano. Winners of the Jeffress Memo- filiated with BALMA. ship winners were Jessica Gonzalez, rial were Au’Jay Griffin & Reginald Ashley Jack, Ty’Jah Banks, Jazmin McKinney. CORRECTION: The obituary for William “Bill” Watkins in the May, 2019 issue of The Dispatcher incorrectly stated that he had served a term as Local 10 President. His years of service included many positions, including Secretary-Treasurer, but not President. ILWU TITLED OFFICERS Craig Merrilees William E. Adams, President The Dispatcher (ISSN 0012-3765) is published monthly except for a combined July/Aug issue, for $5.00 a year and $10.00 a year for non-members by the ILWU, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, Communications Director and Managing Editor Bobby Olvera, Jr., Vice President, Mainland CA 94109. Periodical postage paid at San Francisco, CA. The Dispatcher welcomes letters, Roy San Filippo Wesley Furtado, Vice President, Hawaii photos and other submissions to the above address © ILWU, 2012. Postmaster: Send address Editor Edwin Ferris, Secretary-Treasurer changes to The Dispatcher, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109-6800. 2 DISPATCHER • July/August 2019 ILWU Canada honors the 84th anniversary of the Battle of Ballantyne Pier n June 18th, over 40 Rob Ashton. “It means we are alive ILWU members, pen- and can continue to fight on. Those sioners, and supporters four letters, ILWU, have given genera- O tions of our people something to live gathered at the Ballantyne me- for. And as we know in the past, it morial at New Brighton Park in has been the reason why some people Vancouver, BC to commemorate have died—not because they wanted the 84th anniversary of the Battle to, but because they stood up for the of Ballantyne Pier and remember ILWU. When we stand up for this the militant history of Vancouver great union, it means we stand up waterfront workers. for the rest of the labor movement. We know what happens when you Recognizing the First Nations let your guard down if you relax from Joulene Parent from Local 500 the fight —governments, police, and opened the event by acknowledging corporations will try and steamroll that the event was held on the unceded you even harder and faster. The only land of the Squamish, Musqueam, and way we defend ourselves is with our Tsleil-Waututh peoples. strength and our solidarity.” “We make this recognition at all of The Battle of Ballantyne Pier our labor events because it is not just Dave Lomas, Pensioner from ILWU history, it is also about moving for- Local 500, who has extensively research- ward,” Parent said.