As we near contract time we face many challenges.  Rising prices and the deterioration of home values have spread gloom and pessimism.  And the lure of protectionism offers a fools gold solution.

But we should take heart.  There is no problem we face that a little raise in pay would not help to solve.  And don't let the employers try to hype us that they cannot afford it.  There is lots of money floating around but it is not being distributed fairly.  In 2003 the top million households took 14% of all income in the U.S. but in 2005 they took 18% for an average increase of $465,700 per person!

How much did your income increase during that period.

The big bankers may point to the terrible losses they suffered in the subprime mortgage scandal, a debacle they could have avoided if they had been more diligent.  But now they have been bailed out by foreigners with deep pockets and will soon be ready to rebound.

Contract time offers us an opportunity.  Longshore workers have always occupied a strategic position in the economy, and even more so in an age of increasing globalization.  It is time for us to strike a blow, not only for ourselves, but for all the working people in this country.