Organize your workplace!!!

It's Your right

ILWU International's Official Organizing page

Federal Law gives all workers a legal right to organize a Union. It is illegal for your employer to threaten you or discriminate against you because you support a Union. It is illegal for your employer to threaten to close down the business because workers organize a Union. 

A Union is working people getting together to defend each other, and to work in unity to make improvements on the job. In the ILWU and our marine division , the IBU, the members make the decisions about the issues that affect us. That's democracy. That's what a Union is all about.

There is not a single US Citizen who has not benefited from the struggles, sacrifices and victories of the US labor movement. Things we take for granted--child labor laws, unemployment insurance, the 8-hour day, the minimum wage, health and safety regulations--are a direct result of the strikes, sit-downs, slow-downs, and actions of organized workers. Unfortunately, most of this history has been effectively purged from our collective memory. The US political establishment portrays unions as out of date and somehow "no longer necessary."

Let the ILWU help you in
organizing your workplace. It doesn't matter what business or industry you are in or what part of the country you are in, we can help. Don't be afraid to approach any union, regardless of their name : hospitals have been organized by the Longshoremen, office workers by the United Auto Workers, etc.

What is a union? A quick look @ the ILWU FAQ's on organizing Know your rights The Weingarten Rule

Quote on Organizing the Unorganized:

"I would say here that the first step to organizing the unorganized is
organizing the unionized. We have an immense arsenal in our own membership
both active and retired. Our own Longshore Union membership is a key to
convincing the unorganized workers that they have a future in the trade union
movement. It helps to them know that they can also play a major role in
rebuilding of the labor movement. It’s a first step toward a better future and
the rewards far outweigh the disadvantages and risks in any organizing
campaign! Volunteer to help you Local Union and all AFL-CIO labor Unions
engaged in organizing campaigns in your area. This is a great way to repay
organized labor for the benefits we now enjoy as union members."  

Notes on Organizing

The Union Shop Versus the Non-Union Shop

Links to helpful organizing sites

AFL-CIO Organizing Institute

AFL-CIO Organizing "All About Unions"

How to Form a Union Where You Work

How & Why People Join Unions

Why People Join Unions

National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) - Union Organizing 

Jobs with Justice

Union Summer

Recent Organizing successes :

America@work, the official publication of the AFL-CIO

Security officers for the Portland-based 
Metropolitan Exposition-Recreation Commission (MERC)
ILWU Local 28
July 16, 2003

The ferry terminal workers at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.
 The workers, employed by Aeronautical Services
IBU Puget Sound Region
January 03, 2002

Alaska Nautical Services
IBU Alaska Region
June 14, 2001

Food service workers employed by Fine Host
Corporation at The Evergreen State College:  
ILWU Local 47
January 11, 2001

Powell's Books Portland, Oregon : 
ILWU Local 5
April 22, 1999

Russell's at Orcas,
Orcas Island ferry loading, organized by the IBU
March 25,1999

Ground Transport administrative staff at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport : 
ILWU Local 9 
January 12, 1999

San Francisco Bicycle Couriers: 
ILWU Local 6
1999

The Mission Council on Alcohol Abuse in San Francisco : 
ILWU Local 6 
November 25, 1998

Yang Ming Line Office Clerical Unit Los Angeles : 
ILWU local 63, 
January 1996

"With all their faults, trade-unions have done more for humanity than any other organization of men that ever existed. They have done more for decency, for honesty, for education, for the betterment of the race, for the developing of character in man, than any other association of men."

- Clarence Darrow (1857-1938), U.S. lawyer, writer. The Railroad Trainman (Nov. 1909).

Disclaimer

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