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WE WON!
"This is a momentous day for our union, a landmark
victory for Longshore workers and their families," James Spinosa, ILWU
international president, told a press conference in San Francisco. "We
succeeded in bringing new technology to our ports white achieving vital pension
and economic security, strong health care benefits and safety protections."
In spite of the worst efforts of Mr. Miniace, President and
CEO of the Pacific Maritime Association and with the full cooperation of the
anti-labor Bush administration, he was forced to back down. He and President
Bush were forced to face the reality of union strength. That strength lies in
the almost total solidarity of US and overseas unions that pledged support in a
struggle that many thought would surely end in weakening or even destroying our
union. In spite of Republican Party strength, war on terrorism, and war on Iraq
jingoism, we held the fort and the enemy was routed.
But there was even more support for us. The rallying to our support of the
West Coast US Congress Representatives and Senators, West Coast Governors and
other elected officials, was unprecedented in union struggles. That put a severe
dent in Bush's anti-labor bias. It may also have contributed in some measure to
weakening his total military "solution" to all problems facing the
peoples of the world.
There was also another new important source of support for
our union cause - nonunion groups. Environmentalists, Jobs with Justice,
churches, local political groups, human rights organizations and others rallied
to the cause. It could be said that broad public support reached farther and
wider than at any time in ILWU history.
Just as in 1934 our union may have set another precedent in
how to win against seemingly very tough odds. The key lies in solidarity within
the labor movement and solidarity with broad public allies.
A caucus December 9 will examine the new contract and vote on
passage. There is little doubt the caucus will vote to affirm. It will then go
to a membership vote in January. There is little doubt it will pass with
overwhelming support.
It is an occasion to celebrate!
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