During the July 4th weekend, ILWU members in Los Angeles displayed their patriotism and solidarity at 13 local supermarkets. Teams of workers and officers from ILWU Locals 13, 63, 94 and the Inlandboatmen’s Union (IBU) sent delegations to 13 Ralphs, Vons, and Albertsons stores in the Wilmington, San Pedro, and South Bay areas. Dozens of L.A. unions have “adopted” grocery stores to support as workers prepare for a strike. Local 26 members in Lancaster also adopted a store.
Delegations of 2-3 ILWU and Inland Boatmen’s members went to their 13 adopted stores wearing union t-shirts. They asked to speak with the managers at the front of the stores where they could be seen. They told managers they wanted a swift and fair resolution in contract negotiations to avoid a strike. They also told the mangers that if a strike happens, they will honor the picket lines and not cross.