The 49th annual Pacific Coast Pensioners Association (PCPA) convention met in Tacoma, WA from Sept 12-14. The convention coincided with several events in Tacoma that recognized the important contribution of the longshore labor struggles to the city’s working class history.
The convention’s theme emphasized the need to honor the history and sacrifice of previous generations, to protect the benefits won by past generations and to pass along knowledge and traditions to future generations.
Special events
Two events were scheduled on Sunday before the Convention to honor the union’s history— an afternoon ceremony dedicated a plaque on the Murray Morgan Bridge to commemorate the 1916 longshore strike.
Later that evening a bronze statue of Harry Bridges was unveiled at the Local 23 hall. On the first evening of the Convention, Local 23 members hosted a celebration of the new Philip Martin Lelli Memorial Highway, dedicated in honor of Local 23’s former longtime President.
“Fate and history smiled on Tacoma during the PCPA convention,” said Mike Jagielski, President of the Local 23 Pensioners Club and Chair of the convention’s 2016 planning committee, who was pleased that so many special events were held during the Convention week.
Large turnout
Honoring Tacoma Longshore: Mike Jagielski, President of the Local 23 Pensioners Club at the dedication ceremony for the plaque that was placed on the Murray Morgan Bridge honoring 1916 Tacoma longshore strikers.
A total of 207 registered attendees came to this year’s convention—making it one of the largest PCPA events in recent years. Fraternal guests included the ILWU International titled officers: International President Robert McEllrath, Vice President Ray Familathe, and Secretary Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams. Coast Committeemen Frank Ponce De Leon and Cam Williams also attended as did the local union President’s from Longshore locals up and down the coast. Like previous Conventions, this one was dedicated to the memory of ILWU pensioners who have passed during the previous year.
Remembering the 1916 Strike
On September 11, several hundred ILWU members and pensioners marched across the Eleventh Street Bridge (now known as the Murray Morgan Bridge) to the spot where striker Alexander Laidlaw was fatally shot 100 years before. The bridge was the main conduit between downtown Tacoma and the Port; it became the focus of many confrontations between striking longshoremen and scabs during the late 1800’s into the 1930’s. One-hundred years later, marchers sang union songs and carried signs bearing slogans from the 1916 struggle to re-create the spirit of that strike.
Re-creating history
A brief street theater performance helped to re-create Tacoma’s labor history, thanks to current members and pensioners who portrayed key figures in Local 23’s early struggles. Mike Jagielski portrayed Charles Trench, founder of the Tacoma longshore local; International Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams portrayed Alexander Laidlaw, a striker in the 1916 battle; Local 23 pensioner Eddie McGrath played Martin Fredrickson, a striker from the 1934 west coast waterfront strike; and Local 23 member Brian Skiffington represented “Everyman” of the current workforce. Each actor told about their struggles and sacrifices, hopes and dreams that built the union during more than a century of conflict.
Plaque honors ILWU martyr
A special memorial honoring the 1916 strikers began with the laying of a flower wreath in the Thea Foss Waterway, where special recognition was given to Alexander Laidlaw. Then a plaque was dedicated on the 11th Street Bridge to honor his death during 1916 strike. It was noted that today’s
Tacoma City Council had recently passed a resolution recognizing the 1916 strike and authorizing the permanent placement of the plaque.
Credit to young workers
Pensioners also credited members of Local 23’s Young Workers Committee, who came up with the idea for a plaque on the bridge to honor the 1916 strikers, while attending joint meetings with the Tacoma pensioners.
“Tacoma is a gritty, working-class city and it’s appropriate that we have this tribute to these workers. It’s an important part of the history of the city,” said Jagielski, one of the event organizers and chair of the Convention Host Committee.
Local 23 President Dean McGrath said the bridge remains an important symbol. “You will always have a conflict between capital and labor. This a reminder of what can happen when we don’t work out our differences.”
Harry Bridges statue
On the evening of September 11, a bronze statue of Harry Bridges was unveiled at the Local 23 Hall, honoring one of the ILWU’s most celebrated founders.
Contribution from a quiet member
The idea for a statue was a final wish of Local 23 pensioner Emil Korjan who passed away in 2015 at the age of 92 and left $25,000 to help fund the statue. Korjan was a Local 23 member who played an important role in the Local’s history by introducing the motion in 1958 that led to the local union leaving the ILA and affiliating instead with the ILWU.
“Korjan never ran for office and wasn’t the kind of person who wanted to be in the limelight, but he was active in the union and proud to have introduced the motion that brought this local into the ILWU,” Jagielski said.
Fundraising to finish the job
Local 23’s Pensioner Club raised the remaining funds for the statue with generous contributions from Local 23 active members and pensioners. A critical donation of $35,000 from the Coast Longshore Division at the recent longshore caucus in San Francisco plus a donation from the Southern California Pensioners Group put the fundraising effort over the top.
Unveiling ceremony
The unveiling ceremony drew a packed house at the hall from Local 23 members, pensioners, International officers and community members.
Local President Dean McGrath welcomed guests and introduced International President Bob McEllrath who spoke about Bridges’ central role in the formation of the ILWU, his lifelong commitment to Civil Rights, and dedication to fighting for the working class. When McEllrath finished, he signaled to McGrath who unveiled the sculpture that triggered an enthusiastic round of applause. Bridges’ daughter, Cathy, also spoke at the event and thanked the union for continuing her father’s effort to build a union by and for labor and the working class.
Striking figure
The statue portrays Bridges larger at 6’-4” than he was, at about 5’-6,” but sculptor Paul Michaels said he deliberately took artistic license with Bridges’ height to capture the labor leader’s oversized role in America’s working class history. The efforts of artist Paul Michaels were recognized during the ceremony and received a standing ovation. The sculpture is based on film footage of Bridges, captured during a 1986 visit to Tacoma when he commemorated the Local’s 100th anniversary.
Finding a permanent home
The sculpture will be displayed temporarily at the Local 23 hall until a permanent home for the statue is secured. Emil Korjan had wanted it displayed at a place of learning where students would see it. Possible permanent locations for the statue include the University of Washington Tacoma campus or Bates Technical College.
Last minute details
Jagielski, who spearheaded the effort to make Korjan’s dream a reality, said he wasn’t sure the statue unveiling could actually happen until just days before the event. He said that spot welding and grinding work on the statue went late in the night before it was transported to the hall on Friday.
A whole team of volunteers from Local 23, the Federated Auxiliary, pensioners and family members all chipped-in to make the Sunday night unveiling a success.
Welcome from Tacoma’s Mayor
Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland welcomed the PCPA Convention attendees on the first day. She highlighted the importance of the longshore industry and the ILWU to Tacoma’s economy, history and culture. She also cited the many events during the PCPA Convention that memorialize and celebrate that history.
“It really speaks to who we are as a city,” said Strickland. “The City of Tacoma is an international waterfront city and blue collar work is a part of our DNA. We have to remember where we came from. And while we are here to celebrate and thank you for the work that you’ve done in the past, understand that what we are talking about is not just about history, it’s about the future. What future opportunities will young people have to make family wage jobs?”
New PCPA charter
The convention welcomed the Alaska Pensioners Club with a new charter from the PCPA. President McEllrath presented the charter to Alaska pensioner Pee Wee Smith.
“The PCPA is growing and will continue to grow,” said PCPA President Greg Mitre. He noted that representatives from the Panama Pensioners had planned to attend, but were unable to because of pressing issues at home that required attention. “I can guarantee you that next year there will be representatives from Panama at our convention in Southern California,” Mitre said.
President’s report
Mitre updated the convention including his attendance at the recent Longshore Caucuses in Panama and San Francisco. He also attended a meeting to discuss proposals for long term care insurance that might cover longshore members and possibly pensioners.
Automation & bankruptcy
Mitre touched on some new challenges that longshore workers are now facing, including automated terminals in Southern California and the recent bankruptcy of South Korean shipping company, Hanjin. He said the bankruptcy is the first fallout caused by dramatic decline in prices carriers can charge for transporting containers, due to the surplus capacity in the world shipping fleet.
“Hanjin is the first domino to fall and experts are saying they may not be last. There is going to be a ripple effect through the entire industry,” Mitre said.
“Where this goes is yet to be seen.” Mitre concluded his report by emphasizing the role of the PCPA in supporting the ILWU’s active membership.
“I think the role of the PCPA is to support the officers, to be there for them and ask them what they need. We are fortunate to be included. In most industries, pensioners don’t get to play the role that we do. The PCPA’s role is to do whatever we can to ensure that the ILWU continues to prosper,” Mitre said.
Phil Lelli Highway
On the evening of September 12, the Local 23 hall was filled to capacity again, this time to celebrate the dedication of the Philip Martin Lelli Memorial Highway. The Washington State Transportation Commission adopted Resolution 728 that named a section of State Route 509 in Tacoma after Lelli to honor the man’s contribution to the Port and City of Tacoma.
Lelli was elected President of ILWU Local 23 multiple times for nearly two decades, serving from 1966 and 1985. He is credited with bringing greater efficiency to the Port of Tacoma that significantly increased container volumes. He was also recognized for his community service to help those in need at Tacoma’s Hospitality Kitchen and various food banks in the South Sound.
Young Worker’s Committee
The convention took time to hear from members of Young Workers Committees at ILWU locals in Canada and the Pacific Northwest – plus special guests from the Young Workers Committee at the Maritime Union of Australia whose example inspired similar Committees to form in the US and Canada
The presentation began with a short video from the recent Young Workers Conference held in Canada. Attendees from the conference were interviewed about what “solidarity” meant to them.
Following the video, young workers from the Maritime Union of Australia, ILWU Canada and ILWU Locals in the Pacific Northwest, talked about their efforts to organize educational forums and communication programs to help inform new workers about the labor movement and their role in developing a strong, democratic labor movement.
After their presentation, the young workers received a standing ovation from pensioners. “This is the future of the ILWU right here,” said Mitre.
Youth video artists
Following the Young Workers Committee presentation, the convention screened a video about the 1934 West Coast Waterfront Strike made by three high school juniors from Redmond Middle School in Redmond, WA. Their film features newly-discovered archival footage and won first= place in their state competition (See their “Letter to the Editor” in the July/ August 2016 issue of The Dispatcher).
Solidarity agreement with MUA Veterans
Local 23 Pensioner Jim Norton and MUA veteran Jim Donovan made the official presentation of a signed solidarity agreement between the PCPA and the MUA pensioners. The MUA and ILWU pensioners maintain a close relationship, as do the active memberships of both unions.
Reports from Local Union Presidents
The convention heard from several ILWU local Presidents, including Local 19’s Rich Austin Jr, and Local 13’s President Bobby Olvera, Jr. Austin talked about the important role that pensioners play at Local 19 for active members, where they are a valuable source of experience and information.
He then presented Greg Mitre with a check for $5,000 from Local 19’s membership to the PCPA.
So Cal automation impact
Local 13 President Bobby Olvera Jr., talked about the new automated terminal in the Port of Long Beach.
“Every piece of equipment they are purchasing for these automated facilities is not to become more efficient but to get rid of workers. This will impact not only the ILWU, but the whole community,” Olvera said. “Robots don’t give back to the community; they don’t buy houses or pay taxes.” Olvera said that Long Beach Container Terminal’s automated facility will replace 600 jobs in a 24-hour period when the terminal is operating at full capacity. He noted the irony of seeing the company’s robots painted red, white and blue.
Subsidies for robots
“We have to develop an outside game. We are working to make it clear to politicians that you can’t provide tax breaks, grants or other public monies from the federal, state or local government to foreign companies that replace American jobs with robots.” He said that Local 13, 63 94 and the Coast Longshore Division recently killed= legislation that would have given a tax rebate to companies that buy automated equipment.
Olvera also talked about the new dispatch hall in Southern California which is sitting empty because of ongoing traffic and access issues. “We’re not going to move 7,000 men and women into a hiring hall that causes discontent because they have difficulty getting in and out.”
The convention also heard from Local 10 President Ed Ferris, Local 5 President Mike Stanton, Local 63 President Paul Trani, Local 91 President Fred Gilliam and Local 94 President Danny Miranda.
Coast Committee Report
Coast Committeemen Frank Ponce De Leon and Cam Williams addressed the delegates. Williams delivered the bulk of the report and gave a detailed update on grain negotiations in the Northwest.
Benefits plan
ILWU Coast Benefits Specialist John Castanho joined Benefit Plan Area Directors and coordinators for the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Program who provided information to Convention delegates. Also present were representatives of the Benefit Plans Office (BPO).
All of these experts made themselves available to answer questions and provide updates about health and pension plans. They reminded pensioners to update their address with the benefits plan office whenever they move in order to prevent any delays in getting checks – and encouraged everyone to sign up for direct deposit at their ILWU Credit Union or other institution. The new ADRP representative for Southern California, Tamiko Love, was introduced and will replace Jackie Cummings who retired earlier this year.
Victory for farmworkers
Pensioner Rich Austin Sr. announced that workers who organized their independent union called “Familias Unidas por la Justicia” (FUJ) won an overwhelming victory in their recent union election at Sakuma Farms. He noted that the ILWU’s 2015 International Convention passed a resolution supporting FUJ, said the Washington Area Pensioners and Local 19 have been actively supporting the workers’ campaign. At last year’s PCPA convention in San Francisco, he recalled that pensioners and active members held a demonstration to support the farmworkers at a nearby Whole Foods market.
President McEllrath
ILWU International President Robert McEllrath spoke on the second day of the convention. He summarized debate at the recent longshore caucus in San Francisco where delegates voted to explore the concept of discussions with the Pacific Maritime Association about early contract talks. McEllrath also noted the importance of the ILWU hiring halls, and warned that employers are attempting to undermine this important source of strength for longshore workers.
He said the PMA had approached him with an idea of using automated dispatch through cell phones to replace the hiring halls. “I told them—‘don’t ever bring that up to me again.’” McEllrath said that working out of the hall is a privilege. “Harry Bridges and 1934 strikers fought for that hiring hall and I’ll be damned if I’m going to give that up!” he said.
Vice President & Sec. Treasurer
ILWU International Vice President (Mainland) Ray Familathe spoke about his early years in the ILWU and being locked-out by rail yard employers when he was a member of the Local 13’s Allied Division. “We had guns pointed at us while scabs were escorted across our picket line,” Familathe recalled, and warned that employers may try similar tactics in the future. He updated Convention delegates about the ILWU’s ongoing contract campaigns and organizing efforts, including a recent organizing victory by JBA truck drivers in California (see article on page 2 in this issue).
ILWU Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams, who also serves as President of the San Francisco Port Commission, attended the first days of the Convention but was unable to speak because of a Port Commission meeting in San Francisco.
A host of important speakers
Other speakers at the convention included Northwest Seaport Alliance CEO John Wolfe; Tacoma Mayor Emeritus Bill Baarsma who now serves as President of the Tacoma Historical Society; Washington State Labor Council President Jeff Johnson; Washington State Senator and candidate for the 7th Congressional District, Pramila Jayapal.
PCPA Poet Laureate Jerry Brady read his poem, “The First Tacoma Longshore,” and received a warm welcome\ for his work. Also speaking at the event was Conor Casey from the University of Washington’s Labor Archives. Casey gave an update about the Archives’ effort to preserve the history of working people in the Pacific Northwest.
Resolutions
The PCPA Convention delegates passed several resolutions
- Supporting the ILWU Longshore Division;
- Asking the International Union to clarify rights of pensioners as fraternal delegates to submit resolutions and/or make motion sat ILWU conventions;
- Allowing the Local 23 Pensioners Club major ports status;
- Creating a Long Term Care committee;
- Reverting back to previous language stating that the PCPA convention will be held “the first Monday after the second Wednesday in September.”
- Adding one Executive Board seat for Alaska and Tacoma.
- Supporting the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and all nations opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline;
- Supporting efforts by the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee, an organization of incarcerated workers, to end the system of unpaid and underpaid prison labor. PCPA elections & next Convention PCPA President Greg Mitre, Vice President Lawrence Thibeaux, Recording Secretary Kenzie Mullen and Treasurer Chris Gordon, were elected by acclimation. The next PCPA convention will be held in Long Beach, CA from September 18-20, 2017, at the Maya Hotel.