ILWU contributing to Haiti relief efforts
Thirty workers were killed when the Port-au-Prince dock collapsed in the January 12 earthquake. The port is now 10% operational and is the entry point for relief supplies. Photo by Tradewinds.
SAN FRANCISCO: On January 19, International President Robert McEllrath sent a letter urging all ILWU local unions, affiliates, pension clubs and auxiliaries to consider contributing to Haiti relief efforts. "The past couple of years have been difficult ones for working families, including our members," wrote McEllrath. "However, this is an exceptional situation, such as the effects of Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Indonesia, and ILWU members have historically met the challenge in times of need and demonstrated their compassion."
Checks are being collected at the international headquarters, and all funds will be contributed to a charitable organization working to provide emergency relief to survivors of the January 12 earthquake. For questions, please talk to your local union officers.
Longshore workers volunteer to send tsunami relief containers to Samoa
More than 75 longshore workers from Locals 13, 63 and 94 volunteered a full day's work to load a ship with relief supplies bound for Samoa. Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn met several of them on the waterfront to thank them for their work.
LONG BEACH: When longshore workers of Samoan descent wanted to help their native land after the Sept. 29 tsunami, they sought help from their fellow ILWU members. Longshore workers stepped up to volunteer their labor, Local 13 leadership offered their support, International President Bob McEllrath worked with PMA President Jim McKenna – and within days, the Daily Breeze reported on the successful collaboration:
Fifteen cargo containers full of donated relief supplies are on their way to Samoa by ship. ... Longshoremen spent much of Wednesday loading the containers of donated goods onto the Cap Tapaga, which will arrive in Samoa in a couple of weeks. The ship was provided by shipping firm ITS and the labor was donated by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
The Long Beach Press-Telegram wrote:
The ILWU worked with shippers, relief agencies and members of Carson's Samoan community, which represents the world's largest Samoan population outside their native land. …The containers, donated by Hamburg Shipping and Polynesia Line, carry a capacity of 23,525 cubic feet, which were filled to the brim. Space aboard the ship was made available by the shipping company, International Transportation Services, who also agreed to waive the regular $45,000 shipping fee.
About 75 longshoremen [from ILWU Locals 13, 63 and 94] chipped in to help with loading throughout the day, and the ship, Cap Tapaga, departed by nightfall.
The Journal of Commerce wrote:
“This is a worthy cause and we commend the ILWU for its efforts. We are happy and honored to have the opportunity to contribute,” said Alex Cherin, the Port of Long Beach’s Managing Director of Trade Relations and Port Operations.
George Malauulu, an ILWU Local 13 longshoreman whose parents live in Samoa, was among several who coordinated the effort. He said, “The union, the shippers, the community-based groups, volunteers from around the community and the country -- before you knew it, our shared passion turned a little pebble into a big boulder."
The Samoa Disaster Relief Coalition for American Samoa and Samoa collected the supplies from around the country, and they continue to accept donations through their web site, at HelpSamoa.com.
ILWU Member Addresses AFL-CIO; Delegates Pass Single-Payer Resolution
Dawn Des Brisay, president of Local 40 Marine Clerks, addressed delegates at the AFL-CIO Convention in Pittsburgh, PA, urging them to pass a resolution in support of universal health care. Delegates voted unanimously on Sept. 15 to pass the resolution, marking the first time in 20 years that the AFL-CIO has gone on record endorsing single-payer.
The resolution notes that "the experience of Medicare (and of nearly every other industrialized country) shows the most cost-effective and equitable way to provide quality health care is through a single-payer system. Our nation should provide a single high standard of comprehensive health care for all."
In other news from the convention, International President Robert McEllrath was one of nine new vice presidents elected to the AFL-CIO Executive Council. This will give the ILWU a greater voice in helping to shape our nation's labor policies at the AFL-CIO.
on Huffington Post
