ILWU Federated Executive Board in Oakland, CA, October 2010
The ILWU Federated Executive Board’s biennial meeting convened on October 23rd and 24th at the Airport Hilton in Oakland, CA. Personally or by proxy documentation, representatives from British Columbia, Northern California, Oregon, Southern California and Washington participated.
Guest speakers included Joe Cobrales, ILWU Northern California Welfare Director and Craig Merrilees, ILWU Communications Director. Auxiliary members were encouraged to persist more proactively than ever, in their efforts to promote justice for organized labor, globally and locally. This includes education in trade unionism and current political issues, pro-labor advocacy in legislation, using purchasing power in the interest of labor, voluntary picketing and leafleting as necessary, advancing workers’ economic welfare, and assisting workers to secure decent and fair working conditions.
Over the past year, Federated Auxiliary members have actively supported locked out workers in Boron, CA, Rite-Aid workers in Lancaster, CA who are fighting for a fair contract, and the family, friends, and residents grieving for Oscar Grant, a victim of police brutality in Oakland, CA.
The meeting was facilitated by ILWU Auxiliary 17, comprised of East Bay and San Francisco Bay Area relatives of ILWU workers.