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IBU Members Celebrate a Century of Progressive Maritime Unionism

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IBU Members Celebrate a Century of Progressive Maritime Unionism Published by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union www.ilwu.org VOL 76, NO 11 • DECEMBER 2018 THE INSIDE NEWS Fred Pecker honored by SF Board of Supes 2 Federated Auxiliary Executive Board meets 2 Former Local 13 President Mike Mitre passes 7 TRANSITIONS 8 BOOKS & VIDEO 8 IBU Centennial: The Inlandboatmen’s Union (IBU), celebrated their 100th anniversary in Seattle on November 11-15. The gathering addressed important issues including on-going organizing efforts, countering threats posed by non-union tug HAPPY operations and the Janus decision, automation and ferry privatization, apprenticeship programs and protecting the Jones Act. HOLIDAYS from the IBU members celebrate International Officers a century of progressive & Staff maritime unionism he Inlandboatmen’s Union Presidents Alan Cote and Don Liddle, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a (IBU) – one of the nation’s along with former IBU Secretary- powerful union advocate and poten- largest inland mari- Treasurer Larry Miner. President Don tial U.S. Presidential candidate who T Marcus of the Masters, Mates & Pilots congratulated Secchitano for being time unions and the ILWU’s Union was thanked along with Paul elected President of the IBU. “This is Marine Division – celebrated Garrett, Assistant Secretary of the the year of the woman, and your new their 100th anniversary and Maritime Union of Australia’s Sydney leadership role is noteworthy and 24th Convention in Seattle Branch. Many IBU employer repre- important.” Also joining via video on November 11-15. sentatives attended, including Wash- was Washington State Congress- ington State Secretary of Transpor- woman Pramila Jayapal of Seattle The IBU’s history, accomplish- tation Roger Millar, President Tom who sent her congratulations and ments and struggles were highlighted Escher from San Francisco’s Red & best wishes to officers and members. at a Centennial Anniversary evening White Fleet, Bruce Reed from Tide- The evening concluded with a video gala held inside Seattle’s spectacular water on the Columbia River, Rob presentation highlighting the IBU’s Museum of Flight. Over 250 union Reller of Manson Construction, and hundred-year history and century of members and industry officials min- Black Ball Ferry CFO David Booth. struggle for workers’ rights. The pro- gled among the exhibits of historic gram concluded with a champagne and modern aircraft. The IBU’s new The official speeches were brief, toast – to another hundred years of President, Marina Secchitano, was including the ILWU’s newly-elected militant, member-focused unionism. introduced by the evening’s Master International President Willie Adams, of Ceremonies, IBU Secretary/Trea- who thanked the IBU for their 1980 Launched in dangerous times decision to affiliate with the ILWU, surer Terri Mast. The courageous group of Bay and for the many contributions made Secchitano recognized many Area ferry workers who founded the by the IBU before and since. The City leaders in the room, including all IBU’s predecessor in 1918, the Fer- of Seattle prepared an official procla- four of the ILWU’s International ryboatmen’s Union of California, did mation that was presented by Mayor Officers: President Willie Adams, so in difficult and dangerous times. Jenny Durkin’s office, honoring the Vice President (Mainland) Bobby Unions and strikes were illegal. Sev- IBU’s many accomplishments. Los Olvera, Jr., Vice President (Hawaii) enteen states passed “criminal syndi- Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti sent his Wesley Furtado and Secretary-Trea- calism” laws that allowed thousands congratulations via twitter. Video surer Ed Ferris. Other union leaders of union members to be imprisoned testimonials from union advocates introduced included ILWU Canada and brutalized, including California, appeared on giant screens inside President Rob Ashton, former IBU Oregon and Washington. Conditions the museum, including U.S. Senator continued on page 2 Postmaster: Send address changes to The Dispatcher, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109-6800. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Dispatcher, DISPATCHER • December 2018 1 IBU members celebrate a century of progressive maritime unionism continued from page 1 against “dangerous alien immigrants.” programs, which created millions neries and processing plants joined got worse for unions when Amer- When the war ended in November of of desperately-needed construction in 1985, and most recently, environ- ica entered the First World War on 1918, much of Europe was destroyed, jobs across the country, but also mental response workers. This new a wave of nationalism promoted by 16 million were dead and another 75 caused thousands of ferry workers to approach to jurisdiction was called big business and politicians who used million would soon die in the global flu lose their work. Roosevelt’s sup- “industrial unionism” and it gave the their warped sense of “patriotism” to pandemic. Most militant labor unions port for workers and unions was union a new name: the Inlandboat- attack union organizers as traitors were exterminated or weakened – but also enormously helpful when the men’s Union of the Pacific. the IBU managed to survive and grow union expanded beyond the Bay and “enemies of the people.” Lead- Search for a democratic partner ers of the Industrial Workers of the in these difficult conditions. Area to help workers organize in the Over the years, the IBU has affili- World (IWW) who helped workers Pacific Northwest, where port cities Early focus on ferry workers ated with different unions and federa- in West Coast ports, lumber camps, in Washington. Oregon and Alaska The IBU’s early growth was pos- tions, always searching for a demo- factories and fields, were among those had grown quickly from timber and sible because so many ferries were cratic partner. Early on, they affiliated hunted down, jailed, beaten, tortured mining. The union also moved to being used to transport cargo, railroad with the International Seaman’s Union and murdered. Congress passed the help workers organize in Southern cars and people around booming cit- (ISU) that was part of the Ameri- unconstitutional Sedition Act in 1918, California, especially San Pedro and ies and ports on the West Coast. can Federation of Labor. When the making it a crime to criticize or hold San Diego. industrial union movement rose in opinions against the war. Other earth- Surviving by organizing Breaking with old limitations the 1930’s, the IBU aligned with the shaking events during 1917-1918 The union’s initial boom lasted The IBU’s dramatic growth was Congress of Industrial Unions (CIO), included the Russian Revolution and little more than a decade. New also possible because they expanded being the first west coast union to mobilizations by women for the right bridges built during the mid-1930’s beyond their previous “jurisdiction,” join that rebel group – doing so a few to vote. These factors caused deep caused many ferries to be idled. that limited them to only help ferry months before the ILWU. During the divisions within labor unions, as radi- The modern bridges were needed to workers. This narrow perspective next decade they tried to avoid bitter cals were purged, jailed and killed accommodate an explosion of cars was soon abandoned in favor of conflicts between ILWU President – while many establishment unions and trucks. In an ironic twist, many helping workers on tugs, barges and Harry Bridges and Sailors Union of the turned their backs on civil liberties of the new bridges were funded by other vessels. Workers at fish can- continued on page 4 and some joined racist campaigns President Roosevelt’s New Deal We want you: The Federated Auxiliary held their Executive Board meeting in San Pedro on October 20-21. “Recruiting new members to the Auxiliary is a top priority for upcoming year”, said Federated Auxiliary President Ida Taylor. She said membership is open to family member of all active members in Califor- nia, Oregon and Washington. The Auxiliary provide support to ILWU locals and members on a range of important issues including political action and community engagement. If you are interested in becoming a member contact FedAuxILWU@ gmail.com. Leave your name and contact information and your area representa- tive will contact you. In the photo from left to right are Federated President, Ida Taylor, Auxiliary 8, Wilmington, CA; Federated Area VP, California Tina Carranza, Wilmington, CA; Federated Secretary, Marie Cortez, Auxiliary 8, Wilmington, CA; Delegate Joan Bell, Auxiliary 8, Wilmington, CA; Delegate LaDonna Chamberlain, Auxiliary 14 Longview, WA; President Auxiliary 5, Denise Miken, Portland, OR; Delegate, Debbie Hopkins, Auxiliary 35 Tacoma, WA; Federated Vice President, Victoria Sowers, Auxiliary 35, Tacoma, WA; Federated Area VP, North West, Nancy Cole- man, Auxiliary 35, Tacoma, WA; Delegate Angela Lard, Auxiliary 38 Olympia, WA; Delegate, Kristen Stockwell, Auxiliary 11, Vancouver, WA; Federated Treasurer, Honoring Fred Pecker: Former ILWU Local 6 Secretary-Treasurer was Danielle Sandoval-Padilla, Auxiliary 8, Wilmington, CA awarded a Certificate of Honor by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on December 4. The proclamation authored by Supervisor Hillary Ronen recognized his “outstanding and profound contributions to the San Francisco labor move- ment and his love and commitment to social justice and activism that infuse every aspect of his life.” The room was filled to capacity with Fred’s family, friends, and union members who honored his decades of service to the ILWU, the Bay Area labor movement and City of San Francisco. 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.
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