February 2006 Francisco, CA

The Dispatcher (ISSN 0012-3765) is published monthly except for a combined July/August issue, for $5.00 a year and 95 Vol. 64, No. 2 $10.00 a year for non-members by the ILWU, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109. Periodical postage paid at San February 2006 Francisco, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Dispatcher, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109. www.ilwu.org

CCALLALL

INTERNATIONAL LONGSHORE AND WAREHOUSE UNION

may 15-19, 2006 aN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL INSIDE Blue Diamond organizing action: Seeking sweet justice ...... page 3 Oral History: Curtis McClain, union and civil rights activist ...... pages 4-5 Training builds rank-and-file communications team ...... page 6 Saving Lives: ILWU moves to reduce port pollution...... page 7 ILWU Canada grocery workers strike behemoth chain store ...... page 7 2 • February 2006 Local 10 and peace protesters accept city offer Oakland pays for police violence at port By Steve Stallone forces and APL had a contract with lmost three years after the the U.S. government to ship muni- bloody police riot at the Port of tions and other war materiel to Iraq. AOakland that left nine ILWU Before the first shift Monday, longshore workers and dozens of April 7, 2003 they set up picket lines anti-war demonstrators injured and outside the gates at the Stevedoring scores of protesters and one ILWU Services of America (SSA) and business agent arrested, the City of American Presidents Line (APL) ter- Oakland finally settled the lawsuits minals. The protesters had organized against the police. The settlement their action publicly, advertising it included not only monetary dam- through flyers and web postings. The ages for the injuries and constitu- employers and the police were aware of tional rights trampled, but new, more it and plotted their response in secret. restrictive policies on the Oakland Documents obtained through the law- Police Department’s (OPD) use of suits’ discovery process revealed that force in protest situations. But the representatives of SSA, APL, the Port waterfront employers in the Pacific of Oakland and the PMA met several Maritime Association (PMA) that col- days before the demonstration with luded with the police in those actions the Oakland police. Together they have yet to pay for their crimes. toured the APL facility to prepare for “The settlement of this litigation the demonstration. Oakland Police represents a total vindication of civil Dept. Lieutenant Edward Poulson, rights not just anti-war demonstra- in charge of the police response, was tors but also ILWU members and granted his request that an APL and other union workers,” ILWU attorney Port representative be present at the Rob Remar said. police command center during the Shortly after the U.S. military protest, and actually “deputized” an invaded Iraq, peace activists orga- employer representative as part of nized a protest at the port to high- the police “command and support Oakland police in riot gear and with gas masks prepare to attack protesters (in light war profiteering by some ship team” to assist in arresting people. background with picket signs) at the APL terminal April 7, 2006. companies. SSA had recently received The documents also show that the a no-bid contract to operate the Iraqi police were informed that ILWU long- gates and a line of trucks backed up arrested protesters prepared their port of Um Qasr for the occupying shore workers, upon seeing a picket down the road. They stood by a good lawsuits against the city and its line, would stand by until an arbitra- distance away as local officers had police department, Alameda County tor ruled on whether or not they were instructed, awaiting the arbitration. District Attorney Tom Orloff moved Local 10 antes contractually required to cross the line. But the police did not. preemptively. He charged 24 protest- But at no point did the OPD, the Port One police officer, using a barely ers with failure to disperse and inter- of Oakland or any of the employers audible bull horn, declared the dem- fering with a business, and charged up for jailed notify ILWU Local 10 of the meeting or onstration an illegal gathering and BA Heyman with obstructing justice communicate with the local’s officials ordered everyone to disperse. Then and failure to comply with a police Euro dockers in preparation for the protest. the police moved in formation toward officer’s order. Those charges were all Instead, the documents show that the demonstrators with rifles drawn eventually dropped. t their February monthly meet- the San Francisco Police Dept. told and aimed head high. Suddenly From the day of the event Mayor ing, members of ILWU long- the OPD the Local 10 had taken a shots rang out and concussion gre- Brown and City Council President Ashore Local 10 voted to send public stand against the war and that nades arced overhead and boomed. Ignacio De La Fuente defended the $5,000 to the Belgian dockers impris- longshore workers would likely “sym- Protesters and longshore workers police action, claiming they were oned after the successful Jan. 16 pro- pathize with the protesters and par- alike fell to the fire. Others were run responding to demonstrators throw- test against European port privatiza- ticipate in the direct action.” Further, into by cops on motorcycles, beaten ing rocks and bottles. But as the case tion in Strasbourg, France. according to an investigative report and arrested. Local 10 Business Agent moved forward, the police depart- The ILWU and the MUA sent del- in the May 18, 2003 edition of the Jack Heyman, rushing to help his ment’s own video showed no vio- egations to march on the European Oakland Tribune, the OPD received members get out of harm’s way, was lence on the part of the demonstra- Parliament in Strasbourg along side an “intelligence” report from the pulled out of his obviously marked tors. Rather than go to trial without dockers from ports all over Europe. California Anti-Terrorism Information ILWU Business Agent car, thrown to evidence for its position, the city They demanded the European Center (CATIC) five days before the the ground, handcuffed and arrested. offered an out-of-court settlement. In Parliament vote down a proposed law demonstration. The CATIC, a state Many of the injuries were severe total the police use of excessive force that would have allowed ships’ crews agency staffed with personnel from the enough to require hospitalization and on peaceful citizens exercising their and non-union casual workers do the FBI, the Defense Intelligence Agnecy surgery. Video and photos showed Constitutional rights of free speech, job of registered and trained union and other federal, state and local agen- the police aiming at people’s heads, assembly and dissent cost Oakland dockers loading and unloading ships. cies, warned the police the protest- in direct violation of the munitions taxpayers $1.25 million to settle 59 Union dockers see this as a backdoor ers might turn violent. The CATIC manufacturers’ warnings that such lawsuits arising from that day, not legal maneuver to destroy their jobs, selectively gleaned information from practice could result in death. Injuries including attorney and court fees. wages, conditions, benefits and the activist websites and list-serves and to heads and shoulders confirmed the “City politicians spent all this unions that guarantee those. They intercepted email correspondence of violations were common. The multi- money to suppress civil liberties and united and mobilized in a massive ILWU members to support its notions tude of wounds in the back showed trade union rights when it could have demonstration and work stoppages at of the protest and protesters. police were shooting at retreating gone to Oakland schools and paid many European ports. The Tribune quoted CATIC people. teachers decent wages and benefits,” The European Parliament voted spokesman Mike Van Winkle justify- The next day’s New York Times Heyman said. down the privatization plan by a huge ing his agency’s tactics. quoted OPD Chief Richard Word say- Closing the deal, the Oakland margin, but not until after police fired “[I]f you have a protest group pro- ing the police dispersed the crowd at City Council voted unanimously Feb. upon and tear-gassed the marchers. testing a war where the cause that’s the behest of APL and SSA. Outraged 7 to pay up and get out of this embar- In the process 13 demonstrators were being fought against is international that ILWU members would be shot on rassing mess, all the while claim- arrested and jailed. Eight Belgian terrorism, you might have terrorism orders from the employers, as if this ing they were not admitting guilt. dockers remain behind bars, sepa- at that [protest],” Van Winkle said. were 1934 and Bloody Thursday once Local 10 declared victory and voted rated from their families and unable “You can almost argue that a protest again, the Coast Committee fired off a to accept the settlement at its Feb. 16 to work to support them. The three against that is a terrorist act.” letter to Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown membership meeting. Only the PMA, Belgian docker unions are raising With that kind of information and Chief Word. The union demanded SSA and APL have yet to answer for money for the families. and arguments the OPD greeted an independent investigation into the their role in putting ILWU members The Local 10 motion, besides the demonstrators in full riot gear incident that would focus on who decid- and protesters lives and limbs at risk sending the $5,000 to help, also calls and armed with so-called “less-than- ed the police should come to a peaceful that day—so far. for other ILWU locals to contribute lethal” munitions—wooden and rub- protest armed with munitions, who “The documents we got from the to the fund. ber bullets, concussion grenades and gave the order to fire unprovoked and police in this case show without a “The membership felt it neces- lead-shot filled bean bags. Longshore indiscriminately at demonstrators and doubt how today’s employers still turn sary to give money in support of our workers arriving for their morning workers and why ILWU officials were to the police to enforce their power brothers for the survival of the labor shift at the APL and SSA terminals targeted for brutality. over workers just as they did in 1934,” movement,” Local 10 President Dave saw hundreds of people picketing the While Local 10 and injured and Heyman said. “We won’t forget that.” Gonzales said. “And they want others to join in the struggle.”

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132-5049503-15 Published monthly except for a combined July/August issue, for $5.00, $10 non-members, JAMES SPINOSA IBAN: BE.83 13250495031 a year by the ILWU, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109-6898. The Dispatcher President BIC: BNA GB EBB welcomes letters, photos and other submissions to the above address. © ILWU, 2005. ROBERT McELLRATH WESLEY FURTADO Note that the name of the bank is www.ilwu.org Vice President Vice President DELTA LLOYD BANK The address Steve Stallone ARENBERGSTRAAT 15 ANWERP Editor WILLIAM E. ADAMS BELGIUM and the beneficiary of the Tom Price account is SOLIDARITEITSFONDS. Assistant Editor Secretary-Treasurer February 2006 • 3 Ferry workers blow the horn on Hornblower By Marcy Rein nion members who work the Alcatraz Ferry run on the San UFrancisco Bay have launched a fight for their jobs in the wake of the National Park Service’s September 2005 decision to switch to a non- union contractor. They are drawing strong political backing as questions multiply about the new contractor’s bid and the impact the switch could have on San Francisco. The Blue & Gold Fleet has run the ferry to Alcatraz Island since 1994. It carries about 5,000 passengers per day with some 40 union crew members. The IBU represents the deckhands and the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots (MMP) represents the cap- tains, customer service reps, ticket agents and maintenance staff. “The National Park Service’s awarding of the right to negoti-

ate the Alcatraz Ferry contract to Marcy Rein Hornblower—a non-union dinner boat Flanked by members of the ILWU Local 10 Drill Team, IBU No. Cal. Regional Director Marina Secchitano wraps up the cruise company—is a shocking trav- Feb. 13 rally to keep the Alcatraz Ferry union. MMP Branch Agent Capt. Ray Shipway stands by the IBU banner. esty of justice to our employer,” said IBU Northern California Regional eddies created by the mixing of the Gold runs from Pier 41 in the heart of those paid by previous contractors. Director Marina Secchitano. waters coming down from the San Fisherman’s Wharf, but Hornblower ILWU International President MMP tried unsucessfully to orga- Joaquin and up from the South Bay,” docks at the smaller Pier 31-1/2 a few James Spinosa asked the Dept. of nize Hornblower’s San Francisco and Harlan said. “The currents run six, blocks away. Labor (DOL) to determine wheth- Berkeley locations in 1998 and most seven, eight knots and vary depend- “Pier 31-1/2 has none of the infra- er the Act applies to the Alcatraz ferry workers call it a cheap and anti- ing on the tides. Every landing is dif- structure of Pier 41 and we could be contract. DOL made a preliminary union employer. ferent. This isn’t a lake.” looking at massive traffic and park- decision that it does, but the Park “Hornblower employs mostly The deckhands, who tie and untie ing problems,” Board of Supervisors Service maintains the law doesn’t part-time people, and we don’t need the ferries and load and unload pas- President Aaron Peskin told a Feb. 13 apply to them and refuses to comply. to be replacing union jobs with mari- sengers, need expertise too. IBU/MMP rally. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) time McJobs,” said Robert Irminger, “It takes a lot of good common “We are also concerned with the has continued to press the DOL for a an IBU deckhand with 25 years on sense and experience to maintain ancillary economic impacts of moving final decision. the Bay. the lines,” IBU member Roger Lowe the service,” Peskin said. “Now when “We understand that they’re try- To date Hornblower has provided said. “Normally we have someone you’re a tourist from Peoria or Paris ing to destroy high-quality union jobs no assurances it will hire the experi- out there who has between 10 and 30 waiting an hour or two for the ferry, on the Alcatraz route and replace enced IBU and MMP crews, though the years’ experience. you buy from all the neighboring them with jobs that have low wages unions have made repeated inquiries. “With union wages you can raise businesses.” and benefits, no dignity and no “Hornblower keeps saying they a family in this job. That’s how you Blue & Gold contends Hornblower respect,” AFL-CIO President John aren’t ready to hire the workers, but can have people with this much expe- submitted a flawed bid to NPS, so it Sweeney said in a message to the Feb. we see them talking to boat builders rience,” Lowe said. filed a challenge in the Court of 13 rally. “Those jobs on the Alcatraz and making all kinds of other prepa- The IBU and MMP members Claims in Washington, D.C., which route were IBU and MMP jobs yes- rations,” Secchitano said. “We think have taken their concerns to San hears all federal contract disputes. terday, they are IBU and MMP jobs their preparations should include Francisco’s Port Commission and The challenge questioned whether today, and they should remain IBU us.” Hornblower could take over the Board of Supervisors and to the city’s Hornblower can deliver the new and MMP jobs.” Alcatraz work as early as May 1. representatives in Congress. boats, repair the facilities and gener- After the rally, the workers under- The workers say that not only The Supervisors unanimously ate the revenue promised in its bid. scored that point by going together to their futures but also the safety of passed a resolution Dec. 6, 2005 that Oral arguments in the case were formally apply for the jobs. With the future ferry passengers depends on supported the retention of the IBU heard Feb. 14. Local 10 Drill Team setting a spirited keeping IBU and MMP crews on the and MMP workers and called on The unions also took issue with pace, they walked down the water- boats going to Alcatraz. the Port Commission to look at the the bid process, saying the Park front to the retired ferry Hornblower Operating a ferry safely always impact Hornblower’s takeover could Service failed to apply the Service uses as an office. MMP Branch Agent requires local knowledge, but Alcatraz have on the city. Contract Act. The Act requires new Capt. Ray Shipway joined Secchitano presents special challenges, said Capt. Hornblower has yet to publicly companies taking over federal con- in presenting Hornblower with 54 Tom Harlan, an MMP member. discuss the specific ways it would tracts to pay prevailing wages or pay applications from IBU and MMP “Alcatraz sits in the middle of the change shoreside operations. Blue & wages and benefits at least equal to members. McCall Oil workers act as one, get the deal done or the last year the 11 workers Finger and the 10 operators at unload hot asphalt from rail cars, mix acted as chief negotiator. at McCall Oil and Chemical in McCall gained substantial pay raises. it to customers’ specifications, then In January 2005, all the workers FPortland have stuck together, The workers’ wages will increase more load it in trucks. The work requires at McCall had walked out on their stuck to their guns and stuck their than 16 percent over the life of the knowledge and experience, and can boss to demand union recognition. necks out when they had to. They saw two-year agreement. The contract pro- sometimes be dangerous. They voted unanimously to become their unity, persistence and deter- vides much-needed seniority language “On top of this, we had super- members of the IBU in March 2005, mination pay off Jan. 31 when they to govern scheduling and vacation visors who would yell, scream and and they voted as a block to go out on ratified their first contract with the time, as well as a grievance process bully,” bargaining team member a 36-hour unfair labor practice strike Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific, and a “zero tolerance for harassment” Vicky Wintheiser said. “We just want- in December. the marine division of the ILWU. from “managers, supervisors, co-worked to be treated decently.” During the strike, McCall sig- “We got this contract because we ers, customers, vendors and suppli- The new contract also makes naled it was ready to go back to stuck together 100 percent. We also ers.” This provision speaks to the key McCall a union shop where everyone the negotiating table. Even with the had the unwavering support of ILWU reason the McCall workers organized. is a member of the IBU. Christmas holidays stretching out the Locals 8, 5, 4 and 40, the IBU, Jobs They work 24 hours a day, seven “Despite McCall’s insistence on schedule, the two sides were able to with Justice and others in the labor days a week, 365 days a year, han- remaining an ‘at-will employer,’ the reach a tentative agreement Jan. 19, community,” said Charlie Finger, a dling ship fuel, diesel and asphalt. bargaining unit was able to empower after just four more bargaining ses- member of the union bargaining team They fuel barges and tugs, many themselves with a union shop,” said sions. and maintenance man for McCall. crewed by other IBU members. They IBU Patrolman Mike Conradi, who —Marcy Rein Candy is dandy but justice is sweeter lue Diamond workers, along Workers at Blue Diamond’s could come at any time. This newer alert has prompted 7,500 with ILWU members, staff Sacramento plant have been orga- “The way jobs and everything are e-mails so far, including many person- Band friends, took advantage of nizing since September 2004 to join going in this country, organizing is our alized notes. “I run a company and feel heavy Valentine’s Day traffic to leaflet warehouse Local 17. The company last line of defense against serfdom,” the competitive pressures every day,” at See’s outlets in Seattle, Portland, mounted an aggressive anti-union said Local 19 casual Bob Simmons, said one. Sacramento, San Francisco, Pasadena campaign that included firing four one of the Seattle leafletters. “But I also believe that we must and Honolulu. Because See’s uses union supporters and threatening American Rights At Work launched individually and professionally stand Blue Diamond almonds in its choco- that people would lose their pensions its second e-mail alert for the Blue for something as big as the bottom lates, they asked the candy maker to and the plant would close. The NLRB Diamond workers Feb. 14. The first line: that’s people. If people feel the “be a sweetie,” use its influence as a issued complaints on 28 separate vio- alert, part of last year’s “Halloween need to unionize, you and I should let big customer and ask Blue Diamond lations of labor law and held a four- Howl for Justice,” netted a total of them.” to change its anti-union ways. day hearing in December. A ruling 11,000 messages to Blue Diamond. —MER 4 • February 2006 Curtis McClain: union officer and civil rights activist, 1946-1982

Introduction by Harvey Schwartz B.F. Goodrich Co., General Tire, Firestone Rubber. I needed the job, so I In observance of Black History Month, this I think it was the rubber industry that was respon- stayed for 14 years. issue’s oral history honors Curtis McClain, the sible for his early death because of the impurities in Charles Cleaver, the union’s International Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus the air and the bad conditions in the plants. working foreman, was who passed away last November. McClain was the My father was one of many who worked in the white. He was a decent first African American elected business agent of mills grinding rubber and inhaling dust, dirt and person. Like there’s a Local 6 (1960), President of that local (1969) and fumes. He was a tire mold man, but he was not way to handle any job, then Secretary-Treasurer of the International (1977). permitted to join the mold men’s union. I often there’s a way to handle He retired in the latter post in 1991. used to hear him talk about the good of a union, paper. You can work The historic intersection of the ILWU and the even though he did not belong to his, so this sort of the hard way and not civil rights movement is dramatically illustrated stayed with me. accomplish much and in McClain’s experience and in his numerous con- During World War II I was drafted into the hurt yourself. Cleaver tributions. McClain was a pioneer worker for equal Navy after I finished high school in Akron. Once we took the time to explain access to jobs in San Francisco and an early advo- were loading ammunition on a ship in Seattle. We things. If you were doing cate for equality of opportunity in Local 6. He was were working alongside ILWU longshoremen who something that was an activist in “the Frontiersmen,” a group of Local were almost making more in a night than we were working against you, 6 African American members who initially sought in a month. They were earning some $50 a night he would tell you. He black advancement, but ultimately achieved better and I was getting $66 a month as a Seaman First wasn’t always on your understanding and more unity for all. This oral Class. This interested me in joining unions upon back, either. Cleaver history emphasizes these aspects of McClain’s long my release from the service. was a solid union per- career of service to the ILWU. After being discharged from the Navy in San son. In my opinion he During his years in Local 6 McClain worked Francisco I became acquainted with a number of did not see color. So my closely with several of the ILWU’s legendary figures. longshoremen who were also making pretty good experience in the paper Among them were LeRoy King, Keith Eickman and money. This interested me a little more, I would seasoning department Louis Goldblatt, who he followed as International say, because I already knew the importance of the with him was good. Secretary-Treasurer. union. I briefly attended the City College of San On the other hand, The oral history below is a composite of two Francisco, got married when I was 21 and decided I I liked working out of interviews with McClain. One is a recorded discus- should enter the workforce and provide food for the doors in the bull gang, sion I had with him in 1982 that dealt mostly with table. That’s when I found out about the warehous- which handled freight the Frontiersmen and with McClain’s earliest days ing industry and that Local 6 dispatched people to cars and trucks. The in Local 6. The other is a more far-ranging interview jobs and color was no barrier. I went down to the bull gang paid an addi- taped in 1969 that also focused on McClain’s career Local 6 hall. tional 20 cents an hour in Local 6 and on civil rights issues. This was in 1946, shortly after I’d left the mili- and you had the oppor- The 1969 interview was conducted by Robert tary. I was hired on a temporary basis by Schmidt tunity to work overtime. Curtis McClain Martin of the Civil Rights Documentation Project in Lithograph, a multi-union house in San Francisco. An additional 20 cents Washington, D.C. Many thanks to Joellen ElBashir, They had a crew of 16 or 17 warehousemen, but an hour doesn’t sound Curator of Manuscripts at the Moorland Spingarn they had a total workforce of 600. I was the only like a lot of money, but Research Center, Howard University, for providing black person there for nine years. I was sent out it was a lot then. When you’re just out of the ser- us with a copy of the transcript of that tape session. from the Local 6 hiring hall to run a freight eleva- vice like I was and you’re just getting started, you The last three paragraphs in this article are tor for three days. The company specified that this haven’t got anything but a desire to work and get a from the 1969 interview. On one level McClain’s part- was a temporary job because someone was return- couple of bucks. That’s because you figure so much ing comments there on social conditions in the U.S. ing from vacation. has been removed from your life you’ve got to run and on American foreign entanglement might seem When the person who was to return from vaca- like hell just to stay where you are. dated. However, looked at another way, their insight tion had an accident, John Munson, the company But when I asked to be sent to the bull gang I’d and their clear relevance to current issues is at once supervisor, asked me to work steady. He also kind be told I was too important to be moved from the quite striking and more than a little troubling. of pissed me off by implying that I would either paper seasoning department. Someone else would come late or wouldn’t show up. “Don’t forget,” he then come in from the hall, would just happen to CURTIS McCLAIN said, “we always start at the regular time.” be white, and would work the bull gang and get I went into the paper seasoning department. the overtime pay. Also, as I acquired seniority in Edited by Harvey Schwartz My job there was also under Local 6. Paper has the plant, I tried to get into the higher paid trades Curator, ILWU Oral History Collection all this moisture and they had all these racks and as an apprentice. But I was never allowed into the was born in Akron, Ohio in 1925. I’m one of things. You had to hang the paper to dry it out or trades. 19 children from three combined families. My to add moisture before it went into the press room You can see why long before the sit-ins and the Ifather worked in the rubber plants in Akron— for pressing. The work was heavy, hot and dusty. walk-ins were popular in San Francisco I became interested in the welfare of all people, and certainly black people. A handful of neighborhood people and I were forever reading the numbers of the unem- ployed, and blacks always seemed to head the list. Housing was very scarce in the city, too, with so many of us just back from the service. We were living in rooming houses with community baths and community kitchens. Many of us did not have jobs. So we decided we should get together, talk and do some demonstrating. We took that page from labor. We just started on our own to try to get jobs for people in the community. Unfortunately we were not as sophisticated as the young people of the 1960s. We demonstrated in front of theaters, hotels and stores, but this was not a formal thing. There was no real organization behind us and the results were marginal. I think maybe this accounts for the vacuum that developed between 1947, ’48 and the sit-ins of the late ’50s or early ’60s. Still, all of the battles we fought in the mid-1940s might not have produced much then, but I think they helped crack some of the doors that opened later. Obviously I was interested when a Black Caucus developed in Local 6 in l947. We decided to meet on an informal basis to discuss problems that affected blacks and other minorities in the local. The caucus discussed grievances we thought were not being handled properly. We often heard of people being bypassed ILWU ORAL HISTORY PROJECT for jobs. There were also certain discharges we felt Volume XII, Part I warranted greater attention from the officers. At least we felt this grievance Curtis McClain: union

file photo was not being aired quickly enough. I’m not saying the union did not pursue dis- officer and civil rights Dispatcher charges as such. But not In 1969 McClain (center left) took office as the first African American elected President of Local 6. all officers pursued them International Secretary-Treasurer Louis Goldblatt (center right) handed him the gavel as Local 6 Business as they should have. So we activist, 1946-1982 Agent Bill Burke (far left) and Local 6 Secretary-Treasurer George Valter looked on. wanted to band together February 2006 • 5 Curtis McClain: union officer and civil rights activist, 1946-1982

so it was not just one office. I decided to put my hat in the ring as a can- arrested. Our membership instructed the local’s person approaching the didate to fill the vacancy. The membership elected officers to contact the mayor and the Berkeley City officers or going to a me president in March 1969 by a three to two Council. We attempted to lend whatever services meeting to deal with a majority. we could to bring about some peaceful resolution. problem. When I became president of Local 6 our mem- As a union we were involved in the legislative When I say we, I am bership was approximately one-third black and field as well. We had a joint legislative committee referring to other black one-third Spanish surname. Most of the rest were consisting of members from our Bay Area locals. rank-and-file members white or Caucasian. We were always a progressive It met monthly to map out our legislative strategy of the union. There local. We’d long been involved in demonstrations to and to endorse candidates. We supported candi- were no outsiders. All get minorities hired, like those some years ago on dates we felt would initiate legislation that was the people who attend- “Cadillac Row,” where the car agencies are located going to benefit labor in the state of California or ed these meetings were on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. Around in the immediate area in which we lived. dues-paying members of 1963 the local supported the big sit-in at the city’s Alternatively, we opposed legislation that pro- Local 6. We started very Palace Hotel, too. vided for things like discriminatory practices in small. There were five We picketed and helped blacks get hired in the housing. In the late 1960s we successfully worked or six of us who met first better jobs where they could be seen and where against AB-14 in California, a law that would have and exchanged ideas. there had been very few blacks, if any. In the hotels, permitted an owner of a housing establishment to We expanded to 25 or for instance, before the era of the 1960s demonstra- refuse to lease or rent to a tenant as he saw fit. So 30 on the San Francisco tions you would find us in the kitchen, but not in in the legislative field we have been effective. side of the bay. We had a the lobby as better paid bell boys and reception- We also backed the Fair Employment Practices close working relation- ists. Generally the local worked with the National Commission (FEPC) idea. FEPC was a law in San ship with white rank- Association for the Advancement of Colored People Francisco before it became a law in California. We and-file members in the (NAACP), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) urged candidates we supported for the city’s Board local, but there were no and ad hoc committees formed for specific projects. of Supervisors to vote for a local FEPC, and they did. white brothers in the In 1966 Mayor John Shelley appointed me We also endorsed candidates for the state Assembly caucus. to the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. and the state Senate who favored a state FEPC law. We reached 25 rap- The commission itself was a product of the sits-ins Then we sent delegations to the state capitol in idly. I think we could and demonstrations that were going on in the city. Sacramento to lobby for the California FEPC. have expanded to a It was set up to ease tensions and bridge gaps. In As to the future, I don’t think the sit-ins and much larger number if 1969 I was the chairman of the commission. the lie-ins of the traditional civil rights movement we had chosen to. The As a member of the Human Rights Commission will play a role in trying to advance the goals of the union was changing. I was involved with the 1968-1969 strike at San oppressed in this country any more. Violence and There was a large influx Francisco State University by the Black Students polarization seem likely because black people feel Curtis McClain of black people coming Union and other groups. We were instructed by that we haven’t made real progress. A handful of into the union. World Mayor Joseph Alioto to set up teams and visit the minority people are being placed on certain jobs War II was over. The campus to make certain that human rights were and we’ve got more black faces in windows than shipyards were closing being observed. When some cop would suddenly hit we’ve ever had, but basically, the uneducated black down. The warehouse industry offered a means of a student over the head, you’d turn in a report. and brown minority has not progressed. people obtaining employment. A number of times I walked the picket lines One solution, I think, is that work should be Some of the new people had been stewards or with the students, talked to them and tried to find made available for every man and woman in this had held leadership positions in other unions. They out if there were any grounds for getting the strike country. You develop a certain feeling of indepen- were not satisfied just coming to membership meet- settled peacefully. Essentially the Human Rights dence when you have money that you have earned. ings and playing the role of voting rank and filers Commission was supposed to act as a fire depart- At that point I think other things would flow into without giving input into policies and programs. ment and put out fires. But the commission could place because with a job a person has a feeling of So we could have expanded the caucus to most any not solve deeper problems. It could only listen to pride. number, but it remained small because we chose to people and attempt to mediate between groups. We I also think we’re going to have to get out of keep it small. It was a group we thought we could couldn’t order changes, we could just make sugges- Vietnam. We should have been out of there a long work with. tions. That was the extent of it. time ago. In fact, I don’t think we belong there. I’d When we formed we had in mind to get orga- In the 1960s our union also took a position on guess the war is going to continue to drag this coun- nized for political purposes within the union. The the disturbances in Berkeley, where policemen were try down unless we start thinking in terms of build- term Black Caucus was really a name white trade indiscriminately shooting tear gas. One person was ing peace and putting all that money into something unionists called us. We were not too upset because shot and died and many people were beaten and useful like building our homes and cities. they called us a Black Caucus—after all, it was a group of black people coming together to discuss problems. But we constantly called ourselves the Frontiersmen. This was a club we set up so if we were questioned, there would never be any problem, because we sponsored dances and parties. We tied ourselves in with social activities within the community. Clearly, though, the purpose of the Frontiersmen was to organize so we could elect an Afro-American to a full-time position and address the grievances taking place. I was the person elected as business agent in l960. But there were appointments—field representatives, organizers—made prior to my being elected when some of the longshoremen joined with us to approach the International. The first Afro-American organizer appointed was Roland Corley in the Redwood City division of Local 6. Also, the union began to have shop committees push more for promotions by seniority. This had been union policy all along, but in reality it had not necessarily worked out in the past. At the time we formed the Frontiersmen Club, it was sorely needed within the local. We did a great deal of good, not only for the black union members, but for the union as a whole. We learned some of the fears and concerns of the union people, both black and white. After serving its purpose, there was no need to continue with the Frontiersmen as an organization. It dis- solved after l4 years. ILWU ORAL HISTORY PROJECT It was around the time the Frontiersmen ended that I became a Volume XII, Part I business agent. I was elected in the fall of 1960 and took office Curtis McClain: union in January 1961. After that I received the highest vote in the officer and civil rights local each year I ran file photo for reelection. Then, at the end of 1968, Chili activist, 1946-1982 Duarte, the president Dispatcher of our local, died in Curtis McClain with his first son, Rene and his fire wife Olean. 6 • February 2006 Training builds rank-and-file communications team

Story and photos by John Showalter tem,” Canty said. “I dwell a lot in my he ILWU Longshore Division’s instruction on the power of words and Coast Public Relations com- the images they create in our minds. It Tmittee hosted the first Coast is not hard to figure out how a specific communications seminar during the message affects people once you break week of Jan. 23-27 in San Francisco. it down and present it in frames.” Sixty-one longshore workers from The writing workshops focused ports coastwise received training in on how to clearly tell workers’ stories primary communications skills. This for local newsletters and how to craft first training was a result of the 2003 prss releases, letters to the editors and Caucus decision to build an extensive opinion pieces to get media and public public relations program within the attention for the union’s perspective. union. This training and follow-up “We have to get better at articu- sessions are meant to educate mem- lating our positions both among our bers about how to communicate with own members and to other union- their fellow members, their commu- ists, our communities and the general nities and the media. public, and we need more and more “This communications seminar authentic ILWU voices doing that,” Local 91’s Brian (“Six Pack”) McDonald makes a point. was intended to prepare the member- Stallone said. “Approaching the writ- ship for the media attention we expect ten word was a little daunting for during the 2008 contract negotiations some members, but with a little prac- by consolidating a PR network with- tice and encouragement, they got the in the union,” said Public Relations hang of it and had fun with it.” Committee Chair Dave Arian. “Since “Writing is the most crucial skill completing this training, these mem- I think we learned at the training,” bers are now able to get out into Local 4’s Troy Olson said. “Good writ- their communities, develop written ing is the basis for all other public or web-based materials and videos for relations, whether it is a press release, their locals and form relationships a TV script or a letter to the editor.” with local media. It was the first step Many member-trainees felt that in seeing what talent we have and to the video training provided by Howard explain to members how our commu- Kling of the University of Minnesota’s nications structure works.” Labor Education Services and Amie The participants were divided Williams, an independent filmmaker into groups of ten that went together who is shooting a documentary for through the series of three work- the ILWU about the 2002 lockout, shops—effective public speaking, was the most empowering skill they writing for internal and external com- learned. Local 19’s Danajo Montez speaks out. munications and using self-produced “We assume video production is videos to tell stories. The seminar out of the average union member’s was designed to be a hands-on, skills- reach, but it is not,” said Local 23’s building training. At the end of the Zeek Green. “We can take control of week each group made a presentation this same technology too.” demonstrating the skills they learned, Williams explained that people creating a response to a hypothetical are often intimidated by video tech- public relations attack on the union nology. To help overcome this fear, by the employer. she focused on what she called a Planning the seminar evolved at “guerilla crash course” in basic digi- the same time a similar effort by the tal video production, including video, International Labor Communications audio, lighting and non-linear edit- Association (ILCA), an organization ing. Trainees also learned important of labor editors, webmasters, public interview skills like avoiding asking relations workers, etc., to train union questions with simple “yes” or “no” members, officers and staff in com- answers and being a good listener. munications skills for pending con- Williams encouraged trainees to tracts, political campaigns and orga- use video for three key functions at nizing efforts. ILWU Communications their locals: 1) documenting day-to- Director Steve Stallone, who was day functions such as job actions, recently elected president of ILCA, celebrations and historical events; 2) invited a number of these profession- creating stock footage (“b-roll”) and Lesley Clark (Local 13), Sean O’Donnell (Local 52) and Gretchen Tostrup (Local als to teach ILWU members in these original, newsworthy video for local 63) take the red cat for top overall honors for their group’ presentation. various skills. TV stations as part of developing Leo Canty, chair of the ILCA relationships with producers; and 3) Education Committee, led workshops self-producing short films on topics on public speaking. He focused on like retirement benefits and safety, framing messages, building a vocabu- primarily for internal use. lary of terms to fit these frames and “The ILWU has a very unique devising metaphors to express them. story to tell the public and it just needs Canty then had members use their to come from the heart, get captured framed messages in written statements on video and get out there,” Williams for hypothetical media campaigns and said. into visual concepts for videos. While compiling footage of the “You need to know how the sys- 2002 lockout, Williams found there tem works, so you can work the sys- were no videos of it made by any ILWU members. The seminar will hopefully change that. Williams noted that she has never worked with such an enthusiastic group Local 63’s Patricia Aguirre (at microphone) and other group members present of participants. Trainees a mock press conference on health threats posed to workers and community were so engaged, in fact, by polluted port air. that they worked late into the night, to midnight and beyond, to produce short videos on topics ranging from a mock job action to a short history of ILWU founder Harry Bridges to intimate personal stories about who they are as longshore workers as part of their projects. “For the first time out, the seminar was good,” Local 13’s Alex Banday said. “We went straight into classes. The hands-on training is better for moti- Local 8’s Bruce Holte conducts a mock interview vation. I’m now inspired to with two longshore workers. break out my camera.” Local 23’s Zeek Green addresses the members. February 2006 • 7 Saving lives by cutting pollution By John Showalter ed up with air pollution at West Coast ports and its adverse Faffects on longshore workers and their communities, the ILWU launched a new initiative for health- ier workplaces and neighborhoods. Called the “Saving Lives” campaign, the ILWU is calling for a 20 percent reduction in ship smokestack emissions by 2010. ILWU International President James Spinosa, with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at his side, announced the call for tougher measures to clean up the air at ports Monday, Jan. 30 at a conference on goods movement and its health effects in Long Beach, Calif. They made their remarks before a packed room of reporters, local, state and federal agency officials,

business representatives and several James Long members of the Southern California L.A. Harbor Commissioner and Local 13 member Joe Radisich (at mic) presents the ILWU’s “Saving Lives” program. longshore locals attending the Faster Seated left to right are L.A. Mayor Antonio Villagaroisa, ILWU International President James Spinosa and Coast Safety Freight Cleaner Air 2006 Conference Committee Chair John Castanho. (FFCA). Also speaking at the press conference were Los Angeles Harbor ders like asthma. Residents and long- national ship-owning companies is further harm the health of port com- Commissioner and Local 13 mem- shore workers who live and work at questionable. The ILWU, with its munity residents. ber Joseph Radisich and ILWU or near the Ports of Los Angeles and coastwise contract and national and “Today, we launch a historic part- Coast Safety Committee Chair John Long Beach face some of the gravest international ties with other dock- nership with the ILWU,” Villaraigosa Castanho from Local 10. threats coastwise from carcinogenic worker unions, is in a unique position said. “As Los Angeles continues to “The thousands of men and diesel emissions. In these areas, one to push for the maritime industry to grow its economy, we must address women I represent and work for raise in 200 people can expect to develop implement new, cleaner standards. the negative environmental and their families under the cloud of port cancer because of the polluted air. Spinosa said the union will work health impacts of trade. Solving this pollution,” Spinosa said. “They have The Ports of Los Angeles and to promote the retrofitting of existing problem will require bonds of part- made a simple demand of their union. Long Beach have begun moves to harbor craft with cleaner engines, the nership and a strong commitment to While they want to earn a good living, cut back on ship pollution, requir- use of alternative, cleaner fuels and action from all parties.” they do not want to pay with their ing new terminals to provide electric the development of new technolo- Later that same week, on Feb. lives for a stronger economy.” power for docked vessels, a process gies to reduce pollution, especially 3, Spinosa, Coast Committeeman Radisich, who developed the called cold ironing, and by requiring for new ships. The ILWU will also Ray Ortiz, Jr., and Public Relations “Saving Lives” strategy, laid out the ships to go slower as they approach work with state and federal officials Committee Chair David Arian joined particulars of the program. the ports. The have also moved to for more effective anti-pollution poli- Los Angeles City Councilwoman Vessel emissions are recognized require cleaner fuels for cargo-han- cies and with its international allies Janice Hahn in supporting a unani- as the single largest source of air pol- dling equipment on the docks and to get the International Maritime mously-approved City Council resolution in modern ports. Recent health reductions in diesel truck idling. But Organization, the United Nations lution calling for federal ratification studies by the State of California’s more needs to be done. Agency concerned with safe shipping of an international standard for ship South Coast Air Quality Management The SCAQMD, the California and cleaner oceans, to develop stron- smokestack emissions. The agreement District (SCAQMD) and others show Air Resource Board and the federal ger international standards. creates limits on emissions from ves- that microscopic particulate mat- Environmental Protection Agency The mayor affirmed his commit- sel exhaust. It is scheduled to go into ter emitted by oceangoing vessels’ (EPA) have all made noises about ment to continued economic pros- effect in nations that have ratified it engines is carcinogenic and a signifi- trying to regulate vessel emissions, perity at the nation’s busiest pair on May 19, 2006, although the U.S. is cant contributor to respiratory disor- but their legal jurisdiction over inter- of ports, but in a way that will not still not among those nations. Grocery workers walk the line for pay equality by Tom Price it, is equipped with heaters, food and orkers in Regina, Saskatch- an electric generator. ewan are holding a line in “This strike has really united the Wthe snow in the sixth month group,” Butson said. “We have people of a strike against the second largest from 15 to 60 years old on the line and most anti-union grocery chain in everyday. Everybody sees they can Canada. The dispute, at one of a small stand up to these employers.” number of unionized Sobeys stores, And they know they are not alone. is being bitterly fought—the union “We have gotten support from other needs the foothold this store repre- unions,” RWDSU Secretary-Treasurer sents and the company needs to break Chris Banting said. “Community sup- the strike at this one franchise to stave port has been very good, except for a off union drives at other stores. The small few who take a perverse plea- whole labor movement has a stake in sure in shopping in a store where the this one because if the union is busted shelves aren’t stocked, the produce is there, other employers will likely use wilting and the meat and bakery are it to lower wages everywhere as gro- disasters.” Chris Banting cery stores in the U.S. experienced in RWDSU has walked the line with From left to right: Teryl Burry, Scott Evans, Dustin Dyck, Clayton Miller, the last couple of years. many other unions in the province Shaundel Rich, and Trina Barlow. The 100 members of the Retail, and lent out their Strike Mobile Wholesale Department Store Union many times for their actions. So other each case, the vote on the “last and all. We put their business down by 80 to (RWDSU) Local 454, an affiliate of unions are contributing to the strike final” company offer was required by 90 percent and we thought they’d weak- ILWU Canada, walked out last Sept. fund and the Sask. Federation of provincial labor codes. ened,” Banting said. “But their last offer 11 over pay equality, pensions, sick Labour, representing 93,500 workers Wages at Sobeys top out at $14 an was worse than the previous one. We leave and the high cost of insurance in 35 unions, has called for a consum- hour, $12.13 in U.S. funds. RWDSU could probably successfully charge them co-pays. They had been without a er boycott of Sobeys stores in Regina workers want to match Safeway, with bad faith bargaining.” contract for more than nine months and Saskatoon Dec. 15. which pays $19 an hour, Butson said. Lowering labor standards seems to before walking. “We don’t take calling a boy- Even though Canadian workers have be the employer’s goal, Butson said. RWDSU battled hard for recogni- cott lightly, and it’s a rare occasion single-payer healthcare that covers “Just like Wal-Mart, they like to tion at the Regina store in 1999 and when we have taken such a step,” hospital and doctors’ bills, they still hire young kids to keep the wages low employers signed the first contract said Larry Hubich, president of the have to negotiate insurance benefits and the turnover high,” Butson said. in 2002. Since then, the franchise Sask. Federation of Labour. “But it’s for prescription drugs, dental, eye The employers have told workers their owners have attempted several de- become clear to us that the employ- care and specialists like chiropractors jobs aren’t “career jobs” even though certification actions and have been er’s tactics and posture are rooted in and massage therapists. Currently many will work in the industry for 30 found by the provincial government a desire to strip workers of their right Sobeys pays about half the cost, years and more, she added. to have committed numerous unfair to a democratic voice in the work- which leaves the worker about $750 The months of long, 12-hour days labor practices. place. In other words—it’s an agres- per year to cover. on the picket line, especially tough Picket Line Captain Susan sive attempt at union busting.” The parties returned to the table now in the cold and snow, have not Butson drives the union’s bus out to The Dept. of Labour appointed a Jan. 24 with a government concilia- disheartened the strikers. the picket line at 7 a.m. each day. The conciliator Sept. 23 to bring the sides tor. Talks commenced with a positive “We’re determined to stick this “Strike Mobile,” a converted school together. Workers have twice rejected light, Banting said. out until we get an offer we can bus with the union’s logo painted on agreements by large majorities. In “The company isn’t doing well at accept,” Butson said. 8 • February 2006

ILWU Book & Video Sale

Books and videos about the ILWU are available from the ORDER BY MAIL union’s library at discounted prices! BOOKS: ___copies of ILWU Story@ $5 ea. = $______copies of The Big Strike @ $6.50 ea. = $_____ The ILWU Story: unrolls the history of the union from its origins to the present, complete with recollections from the men and women who built the union, in their own words, ___ copies of Workers on the Waterfront @ $16 ea. = $_____ and dozens of rare photos of the union in action. $5.00 ___ copies of The Union Makes Us Strong@ $15 ea. = $_____ The Big Strike By Mike Quin: the classic partisan account of the 1934 strike. $6.50 ___ copies of A Terrible Anger @ $16.50 ea.= $_____ Workers on the Waterfront: Seamen, Longshoremen, and Unionism in the 1930s By Bruce Nelson: the most complete history of the origins, meaning, and impact of the ___ copies of We Are the ILWU DVD @ $5 ea. = $_____ 1934 strike. $13.00 ___ copies of We Are the ILWU VHS @ $5 ea. = $_____ The Union Makes Us Strong: Radical Unionism on the San Francisco Waterfront By

David Wellman: the important new study of longshoring in the ILWU. $15.00 (paper- ___ copies of Life on the Beam@ $28 ea. = $_____ back) ___ copies of The March Inland @ $9 ea.= $_____ A Terrible Anger: The 1934 Waterfront and General Strike in San Francisco By Total Enclosed $_____ David Selvin: the newest and best single narrative history about the San Francisco events of 1934. $16.50 No sales outside the U.S. The March Inland: Origins of the ILWU Warehouse Division 1934-1938 By Harvey Name______Schwartz: new edition of the only comprehensive account of the union’s organizing campaign in the northern California warehouse and distribution industry. $9.00 Street Address or PO Box ______City ______State______Zip______Make check or money order (U.S. Funds) VIDEOS: payable to “ILWU” and send to We Are the ILWU A 30-minute color video introducing the principles and traditions of the ILWU. Features active and retired members talking about what the union meant in their ILWU Library, 1188 Franklin Street, San Francisco, lives and what it needs to survive and thrive, along with film clips, historical photos and CA 94109 an original musical score. DVD or VHS version $5.00 Prices include shipping and handling. Life on the Beam: A Memorial to Harry Bridges A 17-minute VHS video production by California Working Group, Inc., memorializes Harry Bridges through still photographs, Please allow at least four weeks for delivery. recorded interviews, and reminiscences. Originally produced for the 1990 memorial ser- Shipment to U.S. addresses only vice in San Francisco. $28.00

A Helping Hand...

...when you need it most. That’s what we’re all about. We are the representatives of the ILWU-sponsored recovery programs. We provide professional and confidential assistance to you and your family for alco- holism, drug abuse and other problems— and we’re just a phone call away. ILWU LONGSHORE DIVISION

ADRP—Southern California ADRP—Oregon Jackie Cummings Jim Copp 870 West Ninth St. #201 3054 N.E. Glisan, Ste. 2 Bound Dispatchers for sale San Pedro, CA 90731 Portland, OR 97232 2005 Edition Now Available! (310) 547-9966 (503) 231-4882 Beautiful, hardcover collections of The Dispatcher for 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are now available. These ADRP—Northern California ADRP—Washington are a must for Locals and individuals keeping a record of the Norm McLeod Donnie Schwendeman union’s activities. Get your copies of the ILWU’s award-win- 400 North Point 3600 Port of Tacoma Rd. #503 ning newspaper while the limited supply lasts. Send a check San Francisco, CA 94133 Tacoma, WA 98424 for $50.00 for each volume (year) to The Dispatcher at: (415) 776-8363 (253) 922-8913

Bound Dispatchers ILWU WAREHOUSE DIVISION ILWU CANADA c/o The Dispatcher DARE—Northern California EAP—British Columbia 1188 Franklin Street, 4th Floor Gary Atkinson Ted Grewcutt San Francisco, CA 94109 22693 Hesperian Blvd., Ste. 277 745 Clark Drive, Suite 205 Hayward, CA 94541 Vancouver, BC V5L 3J3 Limited numbers from earlier decades also available, (800) 772-8288 (604) 254-7911 contact The Dispatcher for details.