www.ilwu.org THE INSIDENEWS TRANSITIONS Election guide4&5 Indoor heatcankill So CalLaborDay Election update LETTERS TODISPATCHER Published by the International LongshorePublished bytheInternational andWarehouse Union 8 3 3 2 2 Postmaster: Send address changes to The Dispatcher, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109-6800. T Williams whoallsenttheir regards. men FrankPonceDeLeon andCam ley FurtadoandCoastCommittee - lathe, VicePresident(Hawaii)Wes- Vice President(Mainland)RayFami- national PresidentRobertMcEllrath, Hawaii ConventionincludedInter- this year’seventduetotheILWU (BALMA). Thoseunabletoattend shoremen’s MemorialAssociation McCoy fromtheBayAreaLong- ing wereVanettaHamlinandTrevor President Bruce Holte. Also attend- Treasurer FarlessDaily,andLocal8 vin Mackay,Local10Secretary- Gasperov, Local10PresidentMel- Mendoza, Local63PresidentJoe Adams, Local13PresidentMark ILWU Secretary-TreasurerWillie national andlocalunionsincluded tion. ElectedofficersfromtheInter- have passed since the last conven- to thememoryofpensionerswho mid-term elections. candidates intheNovember out-the-vote forpro-union to theimportance of getting- Term HealthCareInsurance issues rangingfromLong PCPA delegateswhotackled year’s meetingincluding88 of 154peopleattendedthis 16-19 inPortland,OR.Atotal Convention fromSeptember The conventionwasdedicated convenes inPortland held their51stAnnual ers Association(PCPA) he PacificCoastPension- 51st annualPacific Coast Pensioners

Pensioner powertrio: tion DirectorClaytonDelaCruz, eachsharedtheirviewsabouttheunion’sfuture. Dufresne, PCPA President Greg Mitre and Local 142 Pensioner/Memorial Associa - call thatallowedAriantoseeand Mitre usedhisphonetoplaceavideo said. Ontheconvention’slastday, than wemisshavinghim here,” Mitre more tobemissingtheconvention ever known. It probably hurts Dave ILWU thatrunsdeeperthanIhave convention. “Davehasaloveforthe vented himfromattendingthisyear’s rare formofthyroidcancerthat pre- Local 13. national Presidentandof that included serving as ILWU Inter- he retiredfromhiswaterfrontcareer been anactivePCPAmembersince fornia Pensioner Dave Arian, who has announcement aboutSouthernCali- began theproceedingswithan Support forDaveArian Mitre saidArianisfightinga PCPA PresidentGregMitre (L-R) Canadian Pensioners Club President Tom DISPATCHER •October2018 1 14 years.“Formeitallstartswiththe PCPA conventionsduringthepast that hehadattendedeachofthe Adams wasintroducedanddeclared be noAmerica,”Smithsaid. workers. “Withoutyou,therewould wages andworkingconditionsofall the workbylaborunionstoprotect in ourpoliticalsystemandpraised the importantroleofpensioners Commissioner Smithspokeabout seat onthePortlandCityCouncil. Loretta Smith who is running for a nomah CountyCommissioner Guest speakers and guests. port comingtohimfromdelegates hear theexpressionsofloveandsup- ILWU Secretary-TreasurerWillie Mitre thenintroducedMult- VOL 76,NO9•OCTOBER2018 continued onpage6

Update on the International Union election

Results of the ILWU International election are proceeding in accordance with the union’s Constitution. Ballots were mailed to mem- bers on July 23 and were due back on September 6. The counting of ballots then began that morning and continued until shortly before midnight. The count was conducted by officials from an independent outside agency and members of the International Balloting Commit- tee. The counting was witnessed by several candidates and observers from various candidates. A September 10th report on the process and results of the vote count was issued by the International Balloting Committee and provided to all candidates, local unions and affiliates. During the following 7 days, a total of 9 challenges were received from members and candidates. In addition, a fax was received that did not meet the requirements of a challenge. Notices of the challenges, copies of the challenges, and fax were provided to all parties, with responses to the challenges due by within seven (7) days of the notice being sent out. The International Election Procedures Committee will Supporting pro-union candidates: Presidents from four South- hold an informal hearing beginning on October 1, providing at least ern California ILWU longshore locals attended a June 28 fundraiser to support four (4) days advance notice of the time place and date of that hear- pro-union candidates for Congress. (L-R) former Labor Secretary Tom Perez, Los ing. The Election Procedures Committee then has until October 15 to Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Local 63 President Joe Gasperov, President Barack Obama, Local 94 President Danny Miranda and Local 13 President Mark Mendoza. issue a report with findings and recommendations concerning the ILWU contributions to Congressional campaigns are from voluntary member challenges. Final determination of the challenges will be made by the donations, not union dues. International Executive Board, which is expected to meet on or about October 29 in San Francisco at the International Union headquarters. The Dispatcher will publish the results of that meeting and the election results in our November issue.

LETTERS TO THE DISPATCHER

Dear Editor, The September Dispatcher article about Herb Mills was right on. Herb was not only a longshore person, and later on a Marine Clerk, but he was also involved with many social issues concerning working people. He was opposed to the Mechanization and Modernization Agreement (M&M) becoming part of Informe actualizado sobre las the Longshore and Clerk’s contract because it allowed employers to hire steady workers of their choice – bypassing the hiring hall. The M&M with steady hiring elecciones del Sindicato Internacional did come to pass, and our union has become divided as a result. Herb was the real deal. Los resultados de las elecciones del sindicato Internacional ILWU se están procesando de conformidad con la Constitución del sindicato. Lee Sandahl, Local 34 Pensioner Las boletas fueron enviadas por correo a los miembros el 23 de julio Legislative Representative Northern CA District Council y tenían que devolverse a más tardar el 6 de septiembre. El recuento Occidental, CA de los votos comenzó esa mañana y se prolongó hasta poco antes de

la medianoche. Dicho recuento fue realizado por funcionarios de un Dear Editor, organismo independiente externo y miembros del Comité Interna- cional de Votación. Además, fue atestiguado por varios candidatos How do I truly express in a letter the great loss my union has felt this y observadores de varios candidatos. El Comité Internacional de Vo- month? On Friday, September 7, our brother Bob Ruiz died. tación publicó un informe del 10º de septiembre sobre el proceso y los Bob joined ILWU Local 75 (Watchmen) in 1996. He worked steady on the resultados del recuento de votos, el cual se proporcionó a todos los Oakland side of the Bay at Hanjin’s Berth H and Ports America terminals. He also candidatos, sindicatos locales y afiliados. worked as a sergeant for screeners at San Francisco’s Jimmy Herman Cruise Ship Terminal. He followed in his father’s footsteps to become a second generation Durante los 7 días siguientes se recibieron 9 impugnaciones de los ILWU member. During a long career on the waterfront, we watched his beautiful miembros y candidatos. Además, se recibió un fax que no cumplía los children Rachelle Ruiz-Ortman and Robbie Ruiz, both grow up. My heart breaks requisitos de una impugnación. Se enviaron a todas las partes notifica- for them. ciones y copias de las impugnaciones, al igual que el fax, debiéndose We will never forget Bob’s friendly smile that greeted everyone who came recibir respuestas a dichas impugnaciones en un plazo de siete (7) into the terminal or arrived on a cruise ship. We miss you Bob. días a partir del momento de la notificación. El Comité Internacional de Procedimientos Electorales celebrará una audiencia informal que Sally Bowden comenzará el 1 de octubre, dándose el aviso de la hora, lugar y fecha Pittsburgh, CA de dicha audiencia con cuatro (4) días de antelación. El Comité de Procedimientos Electorales tiene hasta el 15 de octubre para emitir un Send your letters to the editor to: The Dispatcher, informe con las conclusiones y recomendaciones relativas a las impug- 1188 Franklin St.,San Francisco, CA 94109-6800 or email to [email protected] naciones. La Junta Ejecutiva Internacional, que se espera que se reúna el 29 de octubre en San Francisco en la sede del Sindicato Internacional, Correction for Herb Mills obituary: A photo caption for Herb Mills obituary deberá tomar una determinación definitiva sobre las impugnaciones. on page 7 of the September issue mistakenly identified Becky Jenkins as Mill’s The Dispatcher publicará los resultados de esa reunión y los resultados former wife; she was a friend. His wife, Rebecca Mills, was recognized in the de las votaciones en su número que se publicará en noviembre. story but not pictured. We regret the error.

ILWU TITLED OFFICERS Craig Merrilees Robert McEllrath, President The Dispatcher (ISSN 0012-3765) is published monthly except for a combined December 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 Ray A. Familathe, 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 William E. Adams, Secretary-Treasurer changes to The Dispatcher, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109-6800.

2 DISPATCHER • October 2018 So Cal locals hold largest Labor Day in years hick clouds covering sharply with recent attacks on workers the harbor provided an and unions. Tunusually cool start for The day began with a free breakfast the 39th Annual Labor Day sponsored by Southern California ILWU March and picnic that built to a locals who provided huge quantities of pancakes, eggs, sausage, burritos, cof- record crowd. The annual event fee and juice at the Longshoremen’s and is organized by the Los Angeles Warehousemen’s Memorial Hall. Over Harbor Coalition, a network of 2,000 breakfast burritos were distrib- union and community groups uted at no charge to the community. anchored in the working class Labor Day marks the traditional town of Wilmington, CA. beginning of election season, so the An estimated 6,000 union work- ILWU welcomed candidates running ers representing more than 65 labor for local, state and federal offices. Each unions participated with family mem- candidate was limited to a few minutes bers and community supporters at this on the mic at the Memorial Hall, deliv- ering their remarks as their audience Leading the way: A truckload of Southern California Pensioners took their year’s event. It was the largest Labor assigned place in front of the parade. Day Marches in recent history and the ate breakfast. largest Labor Day celebration on the The annual parade started after old Local 13 dispatch hall. The parade burgers, snow-cones, sodas and live West Coast. The energy, enthusiasm breakfast on the corner of Broad and slowly made its way up Avalon Blvd., music courtesy of the Los Angeles and solidarity on display contrasted E Streets, just a few blocks from the ending at Banning Park for an all-day County Labor movement. barbeque and picnic. The parade was ILWU Local 13 member David led by members of the Southern Cali- Serrato spoke on behalf of the ILWU fornia ILWU Pensioners Group who at the picnic, urging union members rode in a flat-bed trailer and tossed to work together in the face of coor- candy to families that lined the streets dinated attacks by employers and with their children to watch the march. anti-union politicians. ILWU members, nurses, teachers, ILWU pensioners Jerry Brady and Teamsters, Building Trades and other Dave Arian were both honored with workers marched together and were special commendations presented by joined by local high school marching Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda bands, cheer squads, color guards, Solis for their contributions to the classic cars and motorcycle clubs to labor movement. Days after the March, celebrate the working men and women Arian left for further treatments at the who built this country, work around University of Texas MD Anderson Can- the ports and keep things running. cer Center in Houston. After arriving at Banning Park, Marching for justice: Local 56 Ship Scalers marched in the parade with matching t-shirts. families enjoyed free hot dogs, ham- Indoor heat kills & injures workers, so why isn’t there a law to stop it? hen workers go to Protections long overdue work during the Gratz is aware of workers in many Wsummer months at other warehouses and offices who have Rite Aid’s Distribution Center experienced symptoms of heat stress in the Mojave Desert, their and heat exhaustion that include pass- ing out on the job. She says a law pro- million-square-foot steel build- tecting employees against hazardous ing without air conditioning can indoor heat is long overdue, recalling sometimes feel like an oven. that when Rite Aid workers formed Danger is real their union 10 years ago, they were motivated in part by the death of a co- Laboring inside hot buildings has worker believed to be the first victim of long been recognized by workers and heat inside their warehouse. That trag- medical experts as dangerous, but edy sparked workers to organize and employers have successfully blocked negotiate the first indoor heat contract state and federal laws to protect workers. language for warehouse workers in the Cal-OSHA Standard Board: Shown here in 2016, the Board is deciding Local 26 President Luisa Gratz is nation. Their action forced manage- whether to adopt an indoor heat standard to protect workers while employers try to trying to change that by working with a ment to install evaporative coolers and kill or water-down any new rule. team of volunteers and medical experts provide additional water breaks when ernor Brown now has two vacancies shakeup further emboldened industry – coordinated by the Worksafe! advocacy indoor temperatures spiked. group – who are pressing Cal-OSHA to and is hampered by industry lobbyists groups who won a more “business- “It was a good start, but with cli- adopt a new “indoor heat standard.” who often slow progress to a crawl and friendly” approach to workplace safety mate change creating hotter condi- Gratz knows firsthand how dan- undermine even the smallest reforms. at the expense of workers. Today, Cal- tions, we need stronger protections,” The situation with OSHA in Washing- OSHA plods along with too few inspec- gerous a hot building can be for said Gratz. employees; she once worked in a facil- ton, D.C. is even worse, with President tors (far less per-capita than Oregon ity where co-workers passed-out from Searching for support in Sac Trump, now rolling-back workplace and Washington) and too little clout to the high heat. Gratz and other union supporters protections. punish employers who continue kill- ing roughly 400 workers per year, a have spent years urging Cal-OSHA’s Brown bows to business One death is too many number that has held steady for most Standards Board in Sacramento to pass Not long ago, the possibility of “A worker died a decade ago at the of the decade. regulations with teeth to protect work- passing indoor heat protections in Cal- Rite Aid warehouse in Lancaster when Gratz says the rule-making pro- ers from excessive indoor heat. Stron- ifornia looked promising after Gover- it was hot,” she says. “It’s outrageous, cess is frustrating, but she and others ger regulations were passed by the leg- nor Brown appointed Ellen Widess, a but the history of health and safety remain determined to keep pushing islature at one point, only to be vetoed strong worker advocate, to head Cal- laws in the U.S. seems to be based on for statewide indoor heat protections. by then-Governor Schwarzenegger at OSHA. But after several years, industry the principle that workers have to die the request of business interests. The Her work is part of a larger coalition before protections can be passed.” groups ganged-up against Widess, and 7-member Board appointed by Gov- eventually forced her to resign. The continued on page 7

DISPATCHER • October 2018 3 Northern California District Council Recommendations

US Senate: Kevin de León Board of Equalization State Assembly District 1: Tom Hallinan (D) AD 1. No Recommendation AD 17. David Chiu US House of Representatives District 2: Refer to Executive Council AD 2. Jim Wood AD 18. Rob Bonta CD 1. Audrey Denney District 3: Tony Vazquez (D) AD 3. DUAL: Jim Gallagher / Sonia Aery AD 19. Phil Ting CD 2. Jared Huffman District 4: No Recommendation AD 4. Cecelia Aguiar-Curry AD 20. Bill Quirk CD 3. John Garamendi AD 5. Carla Jean Neal AD 21. Adam Gray CD 4 Jessica Morse State Senate AD 6. Jacalyn Smith AD 22. Kevin Mullin CD 5. Mike Thompson SD 2. Mike McGuire AD 7. Kevin McCarty AD 23. Aileen Rizo CD 6. Doris Matsui SD 4. Phil Kim AD 8. Ken Cooley AD 24. Marc Berman CD 7. No Recommendation SD 6. Richard Pan AD 9. Jim Cooper AD 25. Kansen Chu CD 8. Paul Cook SD 8. No Recommendation AD 10. Mark Levine AD 26. Jose Sigala CD 9. Jerry McNerney SD 10. No Recommendation AD 11. No Recommendation AD 27. Ash Kalra CD 10. Josh Harder SD 12. Anna Caballero AD 12. Heath Flora AD 28. Evan Low CD 11. Mark DeSaulnier SD 14. Melissa Hurtado AD 13. Susan Eggman AD 29. Mark Stone CD 12. Nancy Pelosi SD 16. Ruth Musser-Lopez AD 14. Tim Grayson AD 30. Robert Rivas CD 13. Barbara Lee SD 18. Robert Hertzberg AD 15. Jovanka Beckles AD 31. Joaquin Arambula CD 14. Jackie Speier SD 20. Connie Leyva AD 16. Rebecca Bauer-Kahan AD 32. Rudy Salas CD 15. Eric Swalwell SD 22. Mike Eng State Propositions CD 16. No Endorsement SD 24. Maria Elena Durazo Proposition 1: YES - Veterans and Affordable Housing Bonds CD 17. Ro Khanna SD 26. Ben Allen Proposition 2: YES - No Place Like Home Act of 2018. CD 18. Anna Eshoo SD 28. Joy Silver Proposition 3: YES - Bonds for water supply CD 19. Zoe Lofgren SD 30. Holly Mitchell Proposition 4: - Bonds for private hospitals. No Recommendation CD 20. Jimmy Panetta SD 32. Bob Archuleta Proposition 5: NO - Changes for Home Owners to Transfer Property Tax. CD 21. T.J. Cox Proposition 6: NO - Eliminates Road Repair and Transportation Funding. CD 22. Andrew Janz Proposition 7: NO - Recommendation Daylight Savings CD 23. Tatiana Matta Proposition 8: YES - Regulate and limits fees at dialysis clinics.

Proposition 10: YES - Expands local authority to pass rent control on Property. Governor: Gavin Newsom Proposition 11: NO - Requires private ambulance workers to be on-call Lieutenant Governor: Ed Hernandez during breaks. Secretary of State: Alex Padilla Proposition 12: YES - New standards for confined farm animals. Attorney General: Xavier Becerra Oakland Mayor: (dual endorsement) Cat Brooks/Pamela Price Controller: Betty Yee Oakland City Council District 6: Desley Brooks Treasurer: Fiona MaInsurance Commissioner: Ricardo Lara Berkeley City Council District 1: Igor Tregub Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tony Thurmond City of Alameda: Measure K: YES – rent control Richmond Water District: Cheryl Suddeth

San Francisco Board of Supervisors CCSF Board of Trustees San Francisco Ballot Measures District 2: Catherine Stefani, Schuyler Hudak (dual) Brigitte Davila Prop A: YES Embarcadero earthquake bond District 4: Gordon Mar John Rizzo Prop B: NO City privacy guidelines District 6: Matt Haney Thea Selby Prop C: YES Business taxes for homeless services District 8: Rafael Mandelman Prop D: YES Tax cannabis like other businesses BART Board District 8 District 10: Shamann Walton Prop E: YES Use part of hotel tax for arts & culture Johnathan Lyens San Francisco Board of Education Monica Chinchilla Alison Collins Li Miao Lovett Faauuga Moliga ELECTION GUIDE

Oregon Area District Council Recommendations:

Portland City Council: Jo Ann Hardesty Washington County Commission: Kathryn Harrington Columbia County Sheriff: Dave Brown House District 10: David Gomberg House District 42: Rob Nosse House District 44: Tina Kotek House District 54: Amanda La Bell Senate District 20: Charles Gallia

Note: These recommendations were provided when The Dispatcher went to press; additional recommendations may be available after October 1st.

Please check for an updated list at your local union office.

4 DISPATCHER • October 2018 ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCAL 13

LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF VENTURA COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEE, AREA 1 CARSON CITY COUNCIL JIM MCDONNELL & ARTHUR “AJ” VALENZUELA JIM DEAR ALEX VILLANUEVA LOCAL 13 (dual endorsement) MAYOR OF TORRANCE LOMITA CITY COUNCIL PATRICK FUREY JIM GAZLEY

2018 Washington State PSDC Endorsements

LD 1 Pos. 1 Derek Stanford LD 22 Pos. 2 Beth Doglio LD 35 Senator Irene Bowling LD 45 Senator Manka Dhingra LD 1 Pos. 2 LD 23 Pos. 1 LD 35 Pos. 2 David Dagget LD 45 Pos. 1 LD 3 Pos. 1 LD 23 Pos. 2 LD 36 Senator Reuven Carlyle LD 45 Pos. 2 LD 3 Pos. 2 LD 24 Pos. 1 Mike Chapman LD 36 Pos. 1 LD 46 Senator David Frockt LD 5 Pos. 1 LD 25 Pos. 1 Jamie Smith LD 36 Pos. 2 Gael Tarleton LD 46 Pos. 1 LD 5 Pos. 2 LD 25 Pos. 2 Brian Duthie LD 37 Senator Rebecca Saldaña LD 46 Pos. 2 LD 6 Senator Jessa Lewis LD 26 Senator Emily Randall LD 37 Pos. 1 Sharon Santos LD 47 Pos. 1 LD 6 Pos. 2 Dave Wilson LD 26 Pos. 1 Connie Fitzpatrick LD 37 Pos. 2 LD 47 Pos. 2 Pat Sullivan LD 7 Senator Karen Hardy LD 26 Pos. 2 Joy Stanford LD 38 Senator John McCoy LD 48 Senator Patty Kuderer LD 9 Pos. 2 Matthew Sutherland LD 27 Pos. 1 LD 38 Pos. 1 June Robinson LD 48 Pos. 1 LD 10 Pos. 2 Dave Paul LD 27 Pos. 2 Jake Fey LD 38 Pos. 2 LD 48 Pos. 2. LD 11 Pos. 1 Zach Hudgins LD 28 Pos. 1 Mary Leavitt LD 39 Senator Claus Joens LD 49 Pos. 1 LD 11 Pos. 2 Steve Berquist LD 28 Pos 2. LD 39 Pos. 1 Ivan Lewis LD 49 Pos. 2 LD 13 Pos. 1 LD 29 Senator Steve Conway LD 39 Pos. 2 Eric Halvorson Judicial, Pos. 2 Susan Owens LD 14 Pos 1 Sasha Bently LD 29 Pos. 1 Melanie Morgan LD 40 Pos. 2 Judicial, Pos. 8 Steve Gonzales LD 14 Pos. 2 Liz Hallock LD 29 Pos. 2 Steve Kirby LD 41 Pos. 1 Judicial, Pos. 9 Sheryl McCloud LD 15 Senator Jim Honeyford LD 30 Pos. 1 Mike Pellicotti LD 41 Pos. 2 My-Linh Thai I-1631 Vote NO LD 15 Pos. 1 LD 30 Pos. 2 Kristine Reeves LD 42 Senator Pinky Vargas Puget Sound District Council LD 17 Pos. 1 Tanisha Harris LD 32 Senator Maralyn Chase LD 42 Pos. 1 Justin Boneau recommendations to ILWU International LD 17 Pos. 2 Damion Jiles Sr. LD 32 Pos. 1 LD 42 Pos. 2 US Senator: Maria Cantwell LD 18 Pos. 2 Kathy Gillespie LD 32 Pos. 2 Lauren Davis LD 43 Senator Jamie Peterson LD 19 Pos 2. LD 33 Senator Karen Kaiser LD 43 Pos. 1 CD 1: Suzan DelDene CD 6: Derek Kilmer LD 21 Senator Marco Liias LD 33 Pos. 1 LD 43 Pos. 2 CD 2: Rick Larson CD 7: Pramila Jayapal LD 21 Pos. 1 LD 34 Senator Shannon Braddock LD 44 Senator Steve Hobbs CD 3:Carolyn Long CD 8: Kim Schrier LD 21 Pos. 2 Lillian Ortiz-Self LD 34 Pos. 1 LD 44 Pos. 1 CD 4: Christine Brown CD 9: Adam Smith LD 22 Pos. 1 LD 34 Pos. 2 LD 44 Pos. 2 Jared Mead CD 5: Lisa Brown CD 10 Denny Heck

DISPATCHER • October 2018 5 51st annual Pacific Coast Pensioners convenes in Portland continued from page 1 Administration. “We’re at a crossroads PCPA and I wanted to come and pay in global trade,” Mitre said. “Right my respects for all that you have done now the administration has put tariffs for us,” Adams said. on about 25 percent of goods flowing Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley was through LA and Long Beach, but they’re unable to attend the convention in per- proposing to hit 50 percent of goods in son, but sent a video message thank- the next round.” Mitre said that if these ing the pensioners for their decades tariffs go into effect, it might impact of work as active ILWU members, cargo from Canada to San Diego. “I’m and congratulating them for securing not just talking containers, I’m talking good wages and pensions. “You rec- about apples, forestry products, auto- ognize the critical role that labor plays mobiles, all break bulk, steel—every- in our society,” Merkley said, noting thing that we touch, coming in and the role played by union members in going out, will be effected.” passing social security, unemployment Mitre said pensioners should be insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He helping active members by tackling the tariff issue – which is best done by warned that “powerful and privileged Stranahan Award winner: Barbara Lewis is the first woman to be rec- forces are now trying to undermine voting themselves and getting other to ognized for “going above and beyond the call of duty” in her efforts to help PCPA workers’ rights and workers’ pay,” he vote in the midterms. “We need a Con- members. She chaired this year’s Host Committee and was honored at the PCPA said. Merkley expressed concern about gress willing to be a check on Trump’s banquet in memory of Jesse and Louis Stranahan. Trump’s trade wars, saying it could disastrous trade policies,” he said. slow down the economy by 3-4 per- Mitre also noted the unfortunate PCPA Poet Laureate Jerry Brady made themselves available to answer cent and reduce work on the water- decline in the number of members who The convention’s second day started questions and provide updates about front. “Our country is at a crossroads,” participate in union meetings. Like with a poem from Southern California health and pension plans. he said. “Will we continue to provide the tariff issue, he said pensioners can pensioner Jerry Brady, the official Poet Pensioners were reminded to a foundation built by workers and the play a helpful role by educating active Laureate of the PCPA. The poem, “Lest update the Benefits Plan Office when- labor movement, or do we allow the members and casuals about the need We Forget” was an homage to longshore ever they move or switch bank accounts powerful and privileged to stack the to participate in democratic union workers and the hard work required of to prevent any delays in getting checks deck and rig the system against work- meeting – especially the need to reach them on the waterfront. or disrupting direct deposits. The Puget Sound Area Director Andrea Ste- ing Americans?” members who don’t come from union ILWU Hawaii Pensioner Local 13 President Mark Mendoza backgrounds. “It’s a big problem, but Clayton Dela Cruz venson also encouraged pensioners to get their paperwork in order for illness was asked to say a few words by Mitre. we’re in a position to help with that The first speaker of the morning and end of life concerns – including a He spoke about the registration of new problem,” he said. was ILWU Local 142 pensioner Clay- will, power of attorney and advance longshore workers in Southern Cali- Labor Day march ton Dela Cruz who serves as Director care directive – and submit copies to fornia, criticizing employers for how of the ILWU Memorial Association in Mitre reported that this year’s the Benefits Plans Office so they can long it takes “causals” to become regis- Hawaii and Secretary-Treasurer of the Labor Day celebration in Wilming- have those documents on file and easily tered longshore workers. “The average ton, CA., was a huge success with over Kekaha Sugar Pensioners Club. age of newly registered workers was accessible. She said having that paper- 6,000 people – making it the largest Dela Cruz spoke about the history, work at the BPO makes it much easier 43 years old,” Mendoza said. He also parade on the West Coast. The South- structure and funding of the pensioner spoke about Local 13’s political action on family members in case someone ern California Pensioners Group spon- clubs in Hawaii. He said the ILWU becomes incapacitated. efforts, explaining they have been very sored a pre-parade breakfast of pan- pensioner programs go back 60 years The Convention bid farewell to active and are trying to use the Local’s cakes, eggs, sausages and burritos at the in Hawaii, with the ILWU Memorial Tyler Gorton, Area Welfare Director for influence to help ILWU members and Longshoremen’s Memorial Hall. They Association helping to fund 20 pen- the Columbia River and Oregon Coast other workers. He closed by thanking served 2,000 people, with Mitre mak- sioner clubs statewide. The groups Area, who is retiring in October. They pensioners for their work: “I appreci- ing a point that “Some of the people gather every two years and have held welcomed Martha Hendricks who will ate what you have done to make my we served were ILWU members, some 29 bi-annual conferences to date serve as the new Area Welfare Director life better.” were not. Some were union members, in Hawaii. “We rotate our meetings for that region. PCPA President’s report and some were not. But we opened our among the islands with funding help Mitre began his President’s report doors to the entire community.” He from the Memorial Association,” said ILWU Canada Report by recapping the ILWU General Con- said everyone was also welcome at the Dela Cruz, who noted that some of the Tom Dufresne, former President vention held this past June, and not- huge picnic that followed the march. clubs are connected to county senior of ILWU Canada and current Presi- programs which allow the groups to dent of the Canadian Pensioners Club, ing the coming change in ILWU lead- Vice President’s Report use county resources for meeting sites gave a brief report about their activities ership. “For the first time in many PCPA Vice President Lawrence Thi- and activities. during the past year. He said pension- years, we will have three new Titled beaux spoke about this year’s Bloody Like their counterparts on the ers had successfully replaced a plaque Officers,” said Mitre, highlighting a few Thursday celebration held at the Long- mainland, club meetings in Hawaii commemorating the 1945 explosion of the important resolutions passed at shoremen’s Memorial Hall in San Fran- feature topical speakers, social activi- aboard the S.S. Green Hill Park in Van- the ILWU convention, including one cisco. His talk covered the history and ties, excursions, participation in picket couver harbor that killed two seamen allowing Panama Canal Division mem- meaning behind Bloody Thursday – lines and political action including and six longshore workers. The origi- bers to vote in the recent ILWU Inter- including the ultimate sacrifices made voter mobilization, education, phone nal plaque had been removed and lost national elections. He also called atten- in 1934 by seven waterfront strik- banking and other “Get Out The Vote” during a recent construction project. tion to a resolution passed by ILWU’s ers killed in Wilmington, San Fran- efforts. Hawaii pensioners’ clubs are Dufresne also spoke about their Longshore Caucus which approved a cisco, Seattle, and Hong Kong. “What also affiliated with Hawaii’s Alliance of annual ceremony honoring the Bat- $100,000 donation to create a fellow- makes our union strong is the strength Retired Americans, a network of retired tle of Ballantyne Pier, site of a famous ship at the University of Washington of the rank-and-file,” Thibeaux said. of union members that enables them to dockworkers strike in Vancouver, in honor of Local 19 member, Frank He went on to criticize what he sees work together for a stronger political BC, in June 1935. Dufresne said that Jenkins Jr. (see September 2018 issue as a growing problem of greed among voice. shortly before this year’s ceremony, of the Dispatcher). some ILWU workers who are eroding the monument commissioned by the Mitre said the ILWU has been for- union solidarity. Thibeaux singled-out Benefits Specialist & ADRP reps ILWU to commemorate the strike was tunate in recent years because cargo the practice of “doubling” in which a ILWU Coast Benefits Specialist vandalized with a sledge hammer. He has been flowing freely and trade is worker takes two shifts instead of shar- John Castanho joined with Benefit Plan said the resulting publicity about the booming. He reported that the ports ing the work with follow union sisters Area Directors and coordinators for attack sparked interest from a local arts of LA and Long Beach will move more and brothers. “The hiring hall was cre- the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Pro- group to write a play about the Battle containers this year than since 2007 ated to equalize work and end abuse – gram (ADRP) to provide delegates with of Ballantyne that will be performed in on the eve of the Great Recession. One and both were fundamental principles news from each program. Also present 2019. “This act of vandalism has made reason, he said, for today’s high cargo of the 1934 strike,” he said. were representatives from the ILWU/ a new generation aware of our history,” volumes is the effort to avoid the new PMA Benefit Plans Office (BPO). These Dufresne said. trade tariffs being levied by the Trump experts gave short presentations and continued on page 7

6 DISPATCHER • October 2018 51st annual Pacific Coast Pensioners convenes in Portland continued from page 6 Casey said that 21 of the interviews have He closed by explaining that pen- been transcribed and are currently avail- sioners have been working with other able online, with an additional 13 avail- retirees and community groups to able soon. These oral histories can be tackle issues including homelessness accessed at: tinyurl.com/law-pcpa. and better access to healthcare and Long Term Care Committee dental coverage for all Canadians. The Tuesday afternoon session was Oral History Committee devoted to extensive presentations on The convention heard a report 401(k) management and retirement presented by Connor Casey, Direc- planning along with a report by the tor of the University of Washington’s Long Term Care Committee. The Com- Labor Archives, who was joined by mittee has been researching options for and ILWU historians Harvey Schwartz a Long Term Health Care Insurance and Ron Magden. The trio serve on the benefit. Long term health care insur- PCPA’s Oral History Committee. Casey ance would help cover the costs of care for chronic medical conditions or dis- Strong advocate: Ty Gorden was thanked for his service as Area Welfare spoke about the ongoing efforts to pre- Director for the Columbia River and Oregon Coast. His role will be assumed by Martha serve records and provide access to the abilities that many seniors face in their Hendricks beginning this month. history of West Coast longshore work- later years. The committee is chaired ers and the ILWU. The effort is made by Bay Area Pensioner George Romero of the ILWU Constitution that would educate casuals because they are not possible with support from the Uni- and has been meeting weekly via con- require materials using the ILWU logo registered workers or union members. versity of Washington, the ILWU, the ference calls. The group has researched to be made or printed by union labor. It’s much easier for the pensioners Coast Longshore Division and PCPA. options for a Long Term Health Care Another resolution requested the because we are not part of the active Magden and Schwartz spoke about benefit and worked closely with insur- ILWU International Executive Board to workforce,” said Mitre. the Oral History Committee’s work to ance experts and consultants to address develop a policy based on the Election Election of Officers record life and work histories of ILWU this difficult problem. The information Rules of the ILWU Constitution to pro- The PCPA held their election of pensioners. The project began in 2013 will be shared with the Coast Pension hibit anyone from conducting union officers for the coming year, choos- and has collected over 40 videotaped and Welfare Committee. business on social media. This resolu- ing Greg Mitre to continue as PCPA interviews. The interviews cover a diverse Resolutions tion, if acted on by the International President, Lawrence Thibeaux as Vice range of locals, regions, and occupations Executive Board, could be considered The convention passed several President and Christine Gordon as from a racially diverse group made up by delegates to the 2021 Convention. resolutions including a proposal Treasurer. Yolanda Nuhi was elected of male and female ILWU members. Another resolution recommended that requesting a change to Article XXII as Recording Secretary. Nuhi replaced the ILWU study ways to increase atten- Kenzie Mullen, who announced dance at membership meetings and she was stepping down – and being provide educational materials to imple- thanked by Convention delegates for ment the recommendations. Delegated her service. also acted on a motion for the PCPA to fund a pensioner from Panama to Stranahan Award attend next year’s PCPA Convention. This year’s awards banquet saw Finally, the convention adopted the Jesse and Lois Stranahan Award a proposal calling for the creation of presented to Barbara Lewis who a PCPA Education Committee to help chaired this year’s Host Committee. bridge efforts by the International and The Stranahan Award is given to an local union to educate members about individual who represents the values union history, parliamentary proce- of the ILWU and goes beyond the call dures, how to participate in union of duty. Lewis is the first woman to meetings. receive the award. “We feel a need to educate both Next year’s PCPA Convention will members and the casual workforce,” be held in Vancouver, B.C. in Septem- Calling-out greed: PCPA Vice President and longtime Local 10 leader Lawrence Thibeaux criticized the practice of taking double shifts instead of sharing the work. said Mitre. “It’s difficult for locals to ber of 2019.

Indoor heat kills & injures workers, Progress with outdoor protection In 2005, four farmworkers died while so why isn’t there a law to stop it? working outside in California’s produc- continued from page3 contributes to heat exhaustion, heat choice to monitor employer tive but often brutally hot agricultural stress, other illness and death. compliance with these protections. fields. Organizing pressure from the effort that includes unions and safety United Farmworkers Union resulted in This proposed Cal-OSHA standard advocates operating under the banner • They stated workers who labor out- the first meaningful law being passed would help workers with and in the U.S. to protect outdoor workers of “Worksafe!” – a statewide network side are already covered by a state without unions. from high heat. But two years later a that includes the ILWU. Gratz and oth- law requiring mandatory shade young woman who was two-months ers sent a letter to Cal-OSHA this past breaks for temperatures over 80 Details of these and many other pregnant, died after a hot day at work. June, detailing the criteria for a good degrees, so indoor workers should parts of the proposed Indoor Heat When her father went public about the have the same protection. Rules are still being debated by the incident, he was fired for speaking out. indoor heat standard: The resulting controversy – and organiz- • The trigger for worker protection • Industry wants indoor heat protec- Cal-OSHA Standards Board – and ing by the union – forced Cal-OSHA to should be based on a “heat-index” tions for only a narrow list of named sandbagged by industry lobbyists. increase inspections and enforcement, that combines temperature and industries – excluding workers not The challenge is something Gratz has which helped. Despite those improve- specifically mentioned. Gratz and ments, two more farmworkers died humidity. Industry opposes the met before, but continues to fight for while working outside in high heat index in favor of a weaker standard others want a standard covering all worker health and safety. between 2014-2016 – confirming the based only on “dry bulb” temperature. indoor workplaces, including offices “Meaningful change for workers need for aggressive enforcement and Gratz says a “wet bulb” temperature and freight containers. only happens when there’s pressure stronger protection. test that includes humidity provides • Workers operating inside hot from below,” she says. “Top manage- a more accurate measurement and is structures and offices should be ment gets to make their decisions from crucial to protect workers. guaranteed hourly “cool-down” air conditioned offices while folks on • The trigger heat-index should be set breaks, but the California Chamber the floor are sweating to meet their at 80 degrees, the number originally of Commerce and other groups production quotas. Changing that kind proposed by Cal-OSHA experts. oppose these protections. of injustice requires people to be orga- Industry lobbyists raised it to 85 • The proposed standard would nized, united and speak-up.” degrees, a move Gratz and others guarantee that workers shall be able described as a “step backward” that to choose a representative of their

DISPATCHER • October 2018 7 IN MEMORIUM Richard “Dick” Wise: Portland longshore leader “Pound for pound, Dick Wise was the toughest guy I’ve ever known,” declared Local 8 pensioner Art Ronne, who became a long- shoreman in the early 1950’s shortly before Wise arrived on the docks. Richard Clayton Wise was a native of Portland who was born in the City of Roses in 1933 and remained there where he became a rank-and-file member, then elected officer of Local 8, and eventually played leadership roles in the ILWU at the regional and International level. Wise was remembered by Ronne and other co-workers as a thoughtful leader, who was “extremely competent and knowledgeable; someone who really thought things out and was very methodical in his thinking.” After graduating from Beaverton High School where Wise is said to have played “every sport with a ball in it,” he moved on to attend Portland State University and played football for the Vikings. He shocked his mother Thelma by joining the Army and training to become a paratrooper so he could fight in the Korean War. Fortunately, the armistice was signed and fighting creased on the Korean peninsula before he was deployed. Following his military stint, Wise settled into working on the waterfront where he became increasingly active in the ILWU. “Next to his wife, Dick loved the ILWU as much as anybody and was a real union superstar,” said former co-worker and current pensioner, Jerry Bitz. “He wasn’t afraid to piss-off the employers, and ruled in favor of the union as an arbitrator, but he always used the contract to back up everything he said, so there wasn’t much they could do about it,” said Bitz, who added that Wise applied those same union principles to office staff at Local 8, by seeing to it that they also worked under a union contract. Wise eventually served as a Coast Committeeman for the ILWU’s Longshore Divi- sion, a role that required him to relocate to San Francisco for several years. He also travelled to help dockworkers in other countries where he brought ILWU solidarity and organizing skills. At home he was tapped to serve as a Commissioner for the Port of Portland. After retiring in 1998, he served as a relief Oregon Area Arbitrator and loved to play golf. Wise died in Portland on September 14, 2018. A memorial service was held on September 22. His Grandson, Nick Tufford, now serves as a Dispatcher at Local 8, and his son, Richard Wise, is an active member of Local 23 in Tacoma.

TRANSITIONS

NEW PENSIONERS: Jacqueline E. Hart-Mayorga; Robert D. Hill; L. Buchanan; Local 13: Albert Royal; Larry DECEASED SURVIVORS: Local 8: William C. Mayhew; Local 10: Local 54: Thomas H. Trunnell; Local 63: G. Lofthus; Vince Kordich; Ernest M. Local 8: Loretta A. Schmit; Edgar H. Casillas; Bobby D. Flanagan; Robert T. Huggins; Johnny Pesic; Gilbert Sedano; Benjamin Gonzalez; George R. Local 10: Stella Jamerson; Douglas M. Local 13: Ronald W. Reese; Robert L. Lopez; Stephen T. Brunt; Local 92: Bradshaw; David J. Harrison; Richard P. Stopforth; Local 21: Darlene Derrick; Brown; Adrian I. Cardona; Paul C. Gregory R. Nemyre; Local 94: Victor E. Salkeld; Jack S. Williams; Local 19: Robert Local 23: Rita J. Maitrejean; Michaelis; Dragan Spanjol; Anthony J. Gallardo; Louis E. Cruz; Mark S. Grgas E. Hardin; Local 21: W. R. Johnstun; Local Local 34: Betty J. Mattea; Gladys L. Desanto; Robert J. Haight; Local 19: DECEASED PENSIONERS: 34: Washington A. Tort; Local 40: Evertt Cartwright; Local 40: June L. Overberg; Randall L. Latta; Robert E. Wessley; John G. Local 4: James D. Albinson; Local 8: H. Roberts; Local 50: Lloyd E. Goodrich; Local 63: John M. Carranza; Cutter; Phillip A. Joost; Local 21: Tyler J. Harold Sowersby; Richard C. Wise; Robert Local 52: Victor F. Gross; Local 63: Gerald Local 92: Peggy L. Champagne Gorton; Johnny A. Beck; Kent C. Taylor; W. Christner; Local 10: Willie Roan; Farless E. Petersen; John M. Carranza; Local 92: Michael E. Senecal; Local 24: John W. Dailey, Sr.; Ernest G. Escort; Sam J. Mc Elias P. Sousa; Local 94: Donald Puliselich; Brusha; Local 34: Darrell A. Washington; Gilberry; Manuel Catao; Local 12: Richard Local 98: Kristi A. Hagen

8 DISPATCHER • October 2018