IBU President Alan Coté
The Inlandboatmen’s Union (IBU)—ILWU’s Marine Division—held a Towboat Caucus on November 5 and 6 in Seattle. The meeting was one of the first gatherings of IBU rank and file members from all towing units, said IBU President Alan Coté. Over three dozen members attended the meeting, along with ILWU International President Bob McEllrath, International Vice President (Mainland) Ray Familathe, International Vice President (Hawaii) Wesley Furtado, Coast Committeeman Leal Sundett and ILWU Canada President Mark Gordienko. Masters, Mates and Pilots (MM&P) President Don Marcus was also present.
The caucus addressed a range of issues including the need to develop a comprehensive organizing program, and the need to increase training opportunities for IBU members. Also discussed was the Jones Act and how it affects the IBU and the impressive efforts to support the ILWU in the Pacific Northwest grain dispute. The caucus also featured international guests including Towboat Master Francisco Crespo from the Panama Division of the ILWU, and Paul Garrett, Assistant Branch Secretary of the Sydney Brach of the Maritime Union of Australia.
Constructive criticism
The meeting openly discussed many of the challenges facing the union towing industry, including threats from non-union companies and declining membership participation. However, the caucus did not just identify problems but emphasized solutions. Each regional report identified problems but also offered solutions to those problems.
In his opening remarks, Coté said there needs be a renewed emphasis on organizing to confront the growing threat of non-union companies. He discussed the need for the IBU to develop the capacity to train their own members and challenged those present to be leaders by encouraging attendance at union meetings and participation in regional rank and file organizing committees.
“We will stand tall as a union. This is a proud union and there is only one way to maintain that tradition and that is that for each and every one of you to become a leader in this union. Each and every member has to stand up and get involved,” Coté said.
Non-union challenge
There is a real threat to the IBU by non-union companies. Coté said that a successful organizing program can only be built with the efforts of rank and file members. “A viable volunteer organizing committee in each region is the foundation of what you have to have to make organizing work and combat the non-union threat.”
Solidarity in Snake and Columbia Rivers
Coast Committeeman Leal Sundet addressed the caucus and thanked IBU members for respecting ILWU picket lines in the Pacific Northwest grain dispute. “There’s nothing like a fight to bring everyone together. I really want to thank the IBU and MM&P members for their solidarity and respecting ILWU pickets in Northwest. It has really helped to enlighten ILWU members about the work you do,” Sundet said.
Other speakers included Jeff Engels and Stefan Muller-Dombois, inspectors from the International Transport Workers Federation. They spoke about the work that they do to protect the rights of sailors.
“The caucus exceeded all of my expectations,” said John Skow, Southern California IBU Regional Director. “We had a lot important discussions and the newer members really benefited. They really got to see what this union is all about.”