I was just told that MERV JOHNSTON just retired. I believe that he's the last man to retire from the 57 pool. Over 50 years of Seattle   waterfront history. And believe it or not some of us are still left  to watch over things. In the 50's when we started we still had the 9 hour day, no 4 & 4 and no coffee breaks.

We spent the entire shift working in the hold. We got to know our fellow worker real well (some times too well). A lot of the old timers thought we were wild & unruly. Maybe so, but we were smart enough to know what the union meant to us and our family's future. When union matters were at stake we came together as one. We argued & fought amongst ourselves. But when union matters came up it was "One for all and all for one." (our Motto) "An injury to one is an injury to all". Believe me it works. Next year, 2008, "Contract Year," should tell all the old-timers if  the wagons can still be circled. 

A lot of the sons and daughters of the 57 pool are still on the  Seattle waterfront. Names like BLACK, BOTLER, BULIS, CASTLE, DELEO,  EVERETT , FERN, FINNE, FRIAR, GISSBERG, HATTAWAY, HAWRAN, HENNUM, LATTA, LEPPA, LERBREK. MINK, MURRAY, MOEN, OFSTHUN, ORTIZ, PEELER, ROGERS, TOOMEY, UGLES, VLASIC, VON CARNOP, WESCOTT, WILLINGHAM, are a few that come to mind. 

If I missed any it's CAROLS' fault. These family names cover all 3 locals: 19, 52 and 98. So it looks like the '57 Pool has left it's mark on the Seattle waterfront. The seeds of the '57 Pool will be around for a long time to come. We came on the waterfront at the end of the hard labor (about 10 years of it) and at the start of the easy work (mechanization), so we have pretty much seen it all.

2 years ago, while attending a waterfront union history class for ID casuals given during the lunch hour, I was sitting next to JOHNNY JOHNSON when the IDs started coming in. He made the remark that, "These people can't be on lunch break." I said, "Why not?" He said, "they all have clean clothes on!" He was right. Turn over days were on Monday and Thursday. That was when we put clean clothes on. Dirty clothes was normal in the 50's and  60's.

To all those 57 seeds, work all you can, keep those pension checks rolling in. We need you, After all we did set the table for you kids.

(Life is good)  SMILE!