Published by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union www.ilwu.org VOL 78, NO 8 • SEPTEMBER 2020 THE INSIDE NEWS Explosion at the Port of Beirut puts spotlight on lax maritime regulations 3 Local 5 marks 20-year anniversary 4 ILWU Legislative Director Lindsay McLaughlin retires 5 Local 94 assists COVID testing effort 6 TRANSITIONS 8 Rally for fair contract: National Veterinary Professionals Union Vice President Tana Greatorex speaks at a rally for CRVS workers in February of this year. Other organizations at the rally included ILWU Locals 4 and 5, the Inlandboatmen’s Union and Jobs with Justice. SFVS workers strike to protest illegal Veterinary workers at actions by VCA-Mars page 2 CRVS ratify first private-sector union contract in the industry orkers at Columbia the profession. In recent years, there also a necessary one. As the seventh River Veterinary Spe- has been massive consolidation of the guiding principle of the ILWU states; cialists (CRVS) in industry as large companies acquire ‘To organize the unorganized must W locally owned hospitals, leading to be a cardinal principle of any union Vancouver, Washington rati- a corporate-led environment where worth its salt; and to accomplish this fied their first union contract on workers’ rights and sustainable jobs is not merely in the interest of the August 12 by an overwhelming for local communities too often come unorganized; it is for the benefit of margin of 53-1. These workers second to profit. the organized as well.’” have been bargaining a con- Organizing the unorganized Campaign goals tract with CRVS management “This is a historic agreement that Like the vast majority of first for over a year, after voting to will set a new standard for wages and contract campaigns, this one was join ILWU Local 5 in February conditions in the veterinary indus- long and hard fought. CRVS workers 2019. try,” said ILWU International Vice began the bargaining process in Feb- The contract is the first-ever pri- President Bobby Olvera. “I am so ruary 2019. The workers had several vate-sector union contract in the vet- proud of the workers at CRVS for primary goals for their first contract: erinary industry. Veterinary service is their grit, determination and cour- 1. Enhance worker rights beyond a rapidly growing, lucrative industry age. I would also like to thank the minimum legal (federal/state/ where workers are often faced with staff of the Organizing Department local) requirements; challenging working conditions and for their work. Organizing work- 2. Raise wages and establish a fair pay that is not commensurate with ers in an industry with no history of and transparent wage structure; the education and skill required for unionization is a difficult task, but continued on page 7 Postmaster: Send address changes to The Dispatcher, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109-6800. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Dispatcher, DISPATCHER • SEPTEMBER 2020 1 SFVS workers strike to protest illegal actions by their employer, VCA-Mars orkers at San Fran- ally benefits the hospital and the mal care industry, along with own- Support from elected officials cisco Veterinary employees that work here. We want ership of IAM’s and Pedigree brand The action drew statements of Specialists (SFVS), to improve the staffing ratios so that pet foods, and other animal-linked support from House Speaker Nancy W we can continue to provide the best assets. Mars has come under fire in walked-off the job on July 30 Pelosi, and San Francisco Supervisors patient care possible. Despite how recent months by civil rights activ- Hillary Ronen and Dean Preston. to protest federal labor law reasonable our asks are, VCA-Mars ists for the negative racial stereo- violations by their employer, “Recent developments represent a troubling deterioration of labor VCA-Mars. The “Unfair Labor negotiations. This week, the National Practices” strike was triggered Labor Relations Board (NLRB) by a new charge that the ILWU ordered VCA-SFVS to respond to filed against the company and by charges of retaliation and termination a new complaint issued by the based on employees’ protected union Federal Government, alleging activity and refusal to bargain in good the hospital committed a host of faith. And last week, ILWU filed an Unfair Labor Practice complaint and federal labor law violations. 10-J Injunction for the termination Solidarity and social distancing of Katy Bradley, a union supporter Workers held a small rally out- who rose through the ranks at VCA- side of the hospital in San Francisco’s SFVS to her role as lead veterinary Mission District following proper technician,” Speaker Pelosi wrote in COVID safety protocols, while com- a letter to the employer. munity supporters and clients lis- Supervisor Ronen stated in her tened to the rally speakers over Zoom letter to the company: “When a com- and participated in a car caravan that pany knowingly attacks workers or circled the hospital. undermines worker support, that In 2018, workers at SFVS voted company attacks our community. As by a 3-to-1 margin to form a union and the community–elected representa- affiliate with ILWU Local 6. Since that tive of the city’s 9th District I request time, they have been trying to negoti- that you reinstate Katy Bradley, cease ate their first contract. Meanwhile, the all anti-union activity and you return company has hired anti-union con- to good faith bargaining. A quick sultants and lawyers to avoid reaching resolution that is mutually beneficial an agreement. The company refused to all parties is what our community to meet more than one day per month grows and thrives on.” for bargaining until recently, when District 5 Supervisor Dean Pres- they finally agreed to meet twice per ton wrote in a letter the employer, “I month to settle a NLRB complaint for have closely followed the multi-year bargaining in bad faith in violation of effort of the VCA union. I have been federal law. impressed by how committed and Standing with Katy serious these professionals are, dili- gently trying to improve their place of During the strike, workers, com- Solidarity with Katy: San Francisco elected officials and community employment for the benefit of work- munity members, and clients also supporters expressed their solidarity with Katy Bradley, an outspoken union ers and patients. Naturally, we expect rallied in support of Katy Bradley, an supporter, bargaining committee member, and advocate for better patient care who was fired by VCA-Mars hours after the employer was notified that charges their employer at VCA – Mars Corpo- outspoken union supporter, bargain- were being filed against them. “VCA-Mars can lock me out but they can’t keep ration – not to undermine workers. ing committee member, and advo- me from bargaining for a fair contract,” Bradley said. “Like most, until I became famil- cate for better patient care who was iar with the VCA workers’ union, I fired by VCA-Mars hours after the continues to stall bargaining and typing depicted in the packaging of was unaware of the size and nature employer was notified that charges deny that they can hear our calls.” their Uncle Ben’s brand rice prod- of Mars’ investment and growth in were being filed against them for vio- ucts. The company has also been The big business of vet care the pet care industry. I would hope lating federal law. Bradley has been criticized by human rights activists The veterinary care industry is a that a multi-billion dollar company an exemplary employee at SFVS for for using slave labor in the produc- lucrative, multi-billion-dollar busi- would be thoughtful in disciplinary nearly eight years where she worked tion of their cocoa products. ness built on the backs of a work- action towards an employee, partic- as a lead veterinary technician. “The ILWU is proud to stand force that is underpaid for their high ularly during a pandemic and dur- “VCA-Mars can lock me out but behind Katy and all of the workers level of skill and education. ing contract negotiation. I am con- they can’t keep me from bargain- at SFVS who are fighting VCA-Mars In 2017, the Mars Corporation cerned not only by the report of the ing for a fair contract,” Bradley said to improve patient care and reach a quietly purchased SFVS, along with termination of Ms. Bradley, but also during an emotional speech. “We’ve fair contract. VCA-Mars is not the hundreds of other animal hospitals reports of zero cost of living adjust- been trying to reach an agreement first billion-dollar corporation the and clinics, for $9.1 billion. Mars is ments, raises or any proactive policy for 27 months to improve this hos- ILWU has faced. We won those a privately-held company famous for in support of the workers at SFVS pital as well as the pet-care industry. battles and will win this one too,” their M&M candies. Mars now con- during this health crisis, as well as a We want a fair contract that mutu- said ILWU International President trols a large share of America’s ani- Willie Adams. continued on page 8 ILWU TITLED OFFICERS The Dispatcher (ISSN 0012-3765) is published monthly except for a combined July/Aug issue, for William E. Adams, President $5.00 a year and $10.00 a year for non-members by the ILWU, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, Roy San Filippo CA 94109. Periodical postage paid at San Francisco, CA. The Dispatcher welcomes letters, Editor Bobby Olvera, Jr., Vice President, Mainland photos and other submissions to the above address © ILWU, 2012. Postmaster: Send address Edwin Ferris, Secretary-Treasurer changes to The Dispatcher, 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94109-6800.