Candidate interviews: The ILWU International Executive Board met with Senators Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren at the meeting on August 23 in San Francisco. Invitations were extended to all of the candidates running for the Democratic nomination. Additional candidates are invited to the December Board meeting.
Three top contenders running for U.S. President met with ILWU International Executive Board members in August. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris each took several hours from their busy schedules to sit down with the Board, give short presentations and answer questions from union members on August 22 and 23.
Their appearances resulted from an invitation extended by International President Willie Adams, who said he was pleased that three leading candidates made it a priority to attend. “We’re hoping that others will be able to attend our next Executive Board meeting in December, including former Senator Joe Biden,” said Adams.
The visits are part of a new effort to involve more union members in the endorsement process by providing more information about the candidates. Local unions have been encouraged to hold their own meetings for members to discuss the candidates and issues.
Elizabeth Warren goes first
After thanking International President Willie Adams and Board members for the invitation to appear, Warren launched into her fast-paced overview of the problems facing America’s working families.
She explained that her views were shaped by growing-up in a working-class family of six, “…on the ragged edge of the middle class in Oklahoma, where my dad sold fencing and carpeting– then ended-up as a janitor- with my mom working a minimum wage at Sears. Both had no unions to protect them, so we went through some hard times,” she explained.
Working-class family struggles
She recounted that when her father suffered a heart attack, he lost his job and the medical bills almost cost their family to lose their home and station wagon. All three of her older brothers served in the military, including one who spent five years in Vietnam. Another brother got a union job and became a life-long union member.
“At every town hall meeting, I always tell people that unions built America’s middle-class and they will re-build America’s middle class.”
Working-class family: Senator Elizabeth Warren told of her family’s struggle with debt and dead-end jobs in Oklahoma.
Beating the odds to teach
“I wanted to become a teacher, but our family had no money to pay for a college application, let alone four years of tuition, so I got a scholarship but then got married and dropped-out at 19. I later went to a community college that cost $50 a semester where I got my teaching degree and taught children with special needs, which I loved.”
Teaching law, studying business
Her first year of teaching was successful, but brief because her principal made her quit after she became pregnant. Before long, Warren got childcare help from a relative and was able to attend state college and get a law degree. She taught law students and studied how companies made money, used the tax system and passed laws to favor investors and the wealthy.
“Why I’m in this fight”
Supporting union organizing: Senator Warren stood with San Francisco Veterinary care workers at VCA/Mars—a company that has been fighting union members
“I’m running because I’ve seen how our federal government has worked better and better for the wealthy and well-connected – and kicked dirt in the face of everyone else. That’s why I’m in this fight. I’m in it to build a grassroots movement to take on the corruption in Washington and change the structure of our economy to deal with big, international corporations that aren’t loyal to workers or this country, and have too much power,” she said.
More power for workers
Vice President Bobby Olvera, Jr., told Warren that newly-organized workers were in the Board room with her, and that many more wanted to join the union, but faced brutal opposition from employers. Warren responded, “To get more power and structural change in the economy, we need to make it easier to join unions, and we need to give unions more power when they negotiate. I’ve said that in 128 town hall meetings that we’ve held so far, and I’ve personally said it to 50,000 people – plus many more who’ve watched my videos.”
Wealth tax on richest 1/10th of 1%
“I also say that it’s time for a wealth tax on the richest 1/10th of one-percent of people who can afford to pay 2 cents on every dollar that would generate enough money for universal childcare for infants through age 6; enough for universal Pre-K schools for every 3 and 4-year old; enough to raise wages for every childcare and pre-K worker in this country; enough to pay for trade schools, technical schools and public college tuition – and enough left over to cancel student loan debt for about 95% of kids. We could also provide more support for historically Black colleges – and still have $100 billion left to help fight the opioid drug crisis that’s killing thousands of our brothers and sisters out there.”
Wide-ranging support
Warren says her wealth tax is both necessary – and practical – because it has support from people across political lines with Democrats, Independents and Republicans – all backing her wealth tax proposal.
“I’m not somebody who backs down,” she said as she concluded her remarks. “The way I see it, you don’t get what you don’t fight for. And I’m in this fight because I believe we can build a better America if we do.”
Warren answers questions
Asked whether her message appeals to a broad enough audience to win next November, Warren responded that she’s visited 26 states plus Puerto Rico, including many where a majority supported Donald Trump. She cited a recent visit to the town of Kermit, West Virginia – a former Trump stronghold where 80% backed the President. The town’s population of only 302 is notorious because drug companies shipped 9 million opiate pills to one pharmacy there during a 24-month period. Warren said the audience at her Kermit town-hall included some who wore Trump shirts and hats, but many of them came over to her side after hearing how the wealth tax could help their community. She said her campaign is putting down strong roots in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan where she has hired a small army of field organizers and attracted a diverse group of supporters.
Immigration
Asked about Immigration, Warren recounted her recent visit to the border, where she saw men, women, and children being held in cages – noting one cage was filled with nursing mothers. Warren said she supports an immigration policy that expands legal immigration, provides a path to citizenship for immigrants already in the country, ending private profit-making detention facilities, halting the practice of breaking-up immigrant families in order to inflict pain, and requiring border enforcement personnel to uphold the law, prevent abuse and be more accountable.
Future work and technology
President Adams asked Warren to share her ideas about the future of work in light of new technology and automation.
“I think the future of work is tied to the future of taxation because those taxes will determine where our society will make investments. Right now the system encourages investment in automation instead of people,” she said. “The reason that happens is because the system today is controlled and corrupted by the wealthy and powerful, instead of serving the majority of Americans,” a problem she sees at the root cause of many conflicts in America.
Gridlock in U.S. Senate
Adams also asked Warren how she would deal with Senator Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority leader who has used his power to block legislation in Congress. Warren said one strategy has been to change the balance of power in the Senate by directing resources from her own Senate re-election campaign to support other House and Senate candidates who are willing to stand up for working Americans.
She added that her presidential campaign had rejected expensive media buys in favor of investing in grassroots organizers, believing they can better support worker-friendly candidates “down the ballot.”
Climate change
Secretary-Treasurer Ed Ferris asked Warren what she would do about climate change. She responded by expressing support for the “Green New Deal,” a plan to transition from fossil fuel to renewable sources, creating a million new jobs and protecting workers impacted during the changeover.
She would also end the practice of giving public land to private oil and gas companies for drilling and mining. She said fighting climate change requires a global strategy, noting “the U.S. is directly responsible for about 20% of the problem, but believes “we have to help the other 80% succeed or we won’t be able to save the planet.”
Warren says the global market for new energy technology has been estimated at $23 billion – so she wants to see more U.S. investment in green research and development, but would require companies that benefit from that R&D to produce their goods in America. She says that policy could generate over 1 million good-paying union jobs.
Health care for all
Warren responded to a question about health care from Coast Benefits Specialist John Castanho, explaining that her Medicare-For-All plan will cover everyone and let them choose and retain their providers – while saving money by ending the insurance industry’s unnecessary duplication, waste, and profit.
Endangered pension plans
Local 26 President and Board member Luisa Gratz asked about protecting pensions. Warren said that she understood the problem because two of her own family members depend on pensions, along with Medicare and Social Security in order to survive. She recounted how the federal government was quick to bail-out Wall Street with $700 billion in loans after they nearly bankrupted the country – and caused millions of Americans to lose homes and savings. At the same time, pension funds were allowed to go insolvent and drastically slash benefits for retirees. “We did it for the banks and we can damn well do it for pensioners,” she said.
Role of religion
Hawaii longshore leader Dustin Dawson asked the candidate to talk about religion and its role in society. Warren said she grew up in the Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher who read stories from the Bible to teach good values to children. She said her favorite Bible passage is Matthew 25:31-46 because it emphasizes the need to care for one another, and then quoted the text: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was ill and you cared for me, I was in prison and you visited me.” She concluded by saying, “I think that means God is in all of us and calls on us to act.” Despite her strong religious background, she says America is a diverse country with many different beliefs and faiths, so she strongly backs the tradition of separating church and state.
Strong appeal: Senator Bernie Sanders explained how his “Medicare for All” plan would help working Americans and union members.
Bernie comes roaring back
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders was the next to appear and opened by warmly thanking the ILWU for endorsing him in 2016, when he won 23 states and 43% of delegates, including the key states of Wisconsin and Michigan, before conceding the race and supporting Hillary Clinton.
Young people embrace Bernie
Before beginning his stump speech, Sanders offered a final reminder about his 2016 bid: “We won more votes last time from young people than Hillary and Trump combined.” He added his view that no candidate could win against Trump without an energetic campaign that motivates young people and working-class voters.
Hard-hitting style
Sanders delivered his strong, pro-union message with the same direct and hard-hitting style that inspired union members, young people, and working families four years ago. Some highlights of this year’s talk included the following:
“You’re looking at the only candidate who believes there’s something wrong when three people in America own more wealth than the bottom half of America,” he said.
One person can’t do it alone
“Our campaign has the most progressive agenda platform – but if you want real change, you’re gonna’ have to take on Wall Street and three financial institutions with assets over 10 trillion dollars. That’s real power. You want health care reform in this country? You’re gonna’ have to take on the insurance companies. You want to lower the cost of prescription drugs? Then you have to take on the pharmaceutical industry. Last year the health care industry made over $100 billion dollars in profit – while 87 million Americans were uninsured or underinsured; 30,000 people died from lack of care, and 500,000 people went bankrupt last year from medical bills. The health care industry will spend hundreds of millions of dollars to keep their system.
The most important point I want to make is that no president can do it alone. You can’t transform this country with one person and one election. It takes a people’s movement, and that’s what I promise to do.”
His second point was equally direct: “I’m the strongest candidate to defeat the most dangerous President in the history of the United States.”
Millions have been ignored
He followed with a point that few candidates have dared to ask: “how the hell did Trump get elected in the first place?” he said, quickly answering his own question. “There were millions and millions of working-class people who felt that the Democratic Party was not listening to their pain. Today, in a relatively strong economy, half of our people are living paycheck to paycheck.
That means you get sick, you can’t afford to see a doctor. If your car breaks down and needs $500 to fix it, then you can’t get to work and you lose your job. After 45 years, how much better is the average worker doing? The answer is zero. The top 1% has seen a 21 trillion-dollar increase in their wealth – while the bottom half of Americans have seen a $900 million-dollar decrease. We have massive wealth and income inequality and a corrupt political system with billionaires buying elections.”
Solutions that will help
“So what are we going do we do about these problems?” he continued. “We have to start with the basics. If you work 40 hours a week in America, you should not be living in poverty. We need to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. We have to end the absurdity of women and minorities making less for doing the same work that pays others more. Seven states now do that. Our trade schools, public colleges and apprenticeship programs should be free. Health care is a human right, not a privilege, and we should expand Medicare to cover dental, hearing aids and eyeglasses – then expand Medicare to cover everyone. We have to address climate change because it’s real and we just announced a plan to solve it. We can’t keep building more jails and putting 20% of people in jail just because they can’t afford to pay bail.”
Support for unions
“The middle class doesn’t grow in this country unless the trade union movement grows in this country,”
said Sanders, adding that he recently unveiled a new plan to double the number of union members in America and pledged to be “the strongest pro-union President since Franklin Roosevelt, and maybe stronger.” His plan would allow workers to join a union when a majority sign cards, without delays and interference from anti-union consultants.
It would also require employers to negotiate first contracts or face severe penalties, and he would outlaw “right-to-work-for less” laws.
Anchor Steam support: Senator Sanders stopped to show his solidarity for ILWU Local 6 members who are bargaining their first contract at Anchor Brewery in San Francisco.
More caring & humane society
“This campaign is about ‘us’ not ‘me.’ I believe from the bottom of my heart that we are in this together, to build a decent society where we care about each other, that we don’t step over people living in the street, that we don’t ignore the fact that life-expectancy in now declining in America.”
It will take a movement
“To transform this country will require an unprecedented grassroots movement to change the power structure– and the trade union movement needs to be at the center of that movement.
The goal is to transform this country by bringing working people into the political process and run the government so it benefits workers and not just the billionaire class. If we organize and bring people together, we can transform this country and lead the world in creating a dignified, civilized democratic country.”
Bernie answers questions
Questions followed many of the same topics that Warren addressed, beginning with pensions, Social Security and Medicare. Sanders said he had authored strong legislation to protect workers in underfunded pension plans, and wants to raise the cap on Social Security contributions so those earning of $250k will start paying the same rates as someone earning $50k a year – a change that would raise enough revenue to protect the system for the next 50 years.
Subsidies for automation?
Board member Dan McKisson asked if Sanders would oppose the National Defense Authorization Act which contains a provision to fund automation on the docks with public dollars. Sanders quickly replied, “yes, I’ll oppose that.”
President Willie Adams asked Sanders for more thoughts about the future of work and automation – noting that the issue hasn’t been addressed by most candidates. Sanders replied, “You’re absolutely right, this is a discussion that hasn’t taken place – it’s an explosion waiting to happen.” He then posed a series of questions. “Is it acceptable to come in and say ‘hey, we’ve got technology and we’re going to put half the people out on the street?’ No its not. Is it a bad idea if we use technology to replace a dirty, hard job and we’re going to cut your hours in half, and you are going to benefit from that technology? That’s not a bad idea. So the bottom line is that we can’t be anti-technology if it benefits workers – but we can be anti-technology if it throws workers out on the street. I am opposed to companies coming in and throwing workers out on the street with new technology.
That is absolutely unacceptable. On the other hand, if I can cut ten hours from your workweek, and you’re doing better, I don’t think that’s unacceptable. We have to make technology work for workers, not just the people who own the company.
Overcoming divisiveness
Vice President Bobby Olvera Jr., asked Sanders what could be done to heal the many divisions and divisiveness that have become the norm in American politics. Sanders replied, “let’s be clear, there’s always been racism in America. There’s always been sexism in America. There’s always been anti-immigrant feelings. Trump didn’t invent those things, but his political strategy is to get me to hate you, and you to hate her, etc. We need a President whose words and actions can unify the country. Because we’re all in it together. This is a nation of immigrants, and unless you’re Native American,
we all came from somewhere – some came freely, some came in chains– but we all came from somewhere else.
The other way to unify the country is to support programs that are popular, like raising the minimum wage, providing free education, making the rich pay their share of taxes and providing everyone in America with health care.
Invading our privacy
Board member Dane Jones asked about employers who are increasingly compromising the privacy of workers’on the job, to which Sanders replied that he agreed with the point and noted that the privacy of all citizens is threatened by companies that collect vast amount of data from individuals, and are totally unaccountable.
High cost of drugs
ILWU Canada President Rob Ashton jokingly confessed that he had “a man-crush on Bernie,” which caused the room to erupt in laughter, and made Bernie blush bright red. Ashton went on to ask about the high cost of drugs and health care in America. Sanders shared details of a recent visit he made to Canada, accompanied by a group of diabetics, who discovered that insulin in Canada costs 90% less than in the U.S. Bernie asked Ashton to reveal how much Canadians pay for a hospital surgery – and the answer was “zero.” And how much do they pay each month for their health coverage? “$47 a month,” said Ashton.
What about the border crisis?
Board member David Gonzalez asked Sanders for his views about the border crisis. The Senator blamed much of the “crisis” on President Trump’s “racist and xenophobe” behavior who denigrated immigrants
and promoted inhumane treatment of refugees. He then outlined his own immigration plan which was nearly identical to Warren’s, with a path for citizenship, comprehensive reform, an end to separating immigrant family members and more.
Apprenticeships and good jobs
Board member Dax Koho of Local 22 in Tacoma asked what could be done to improve apprenticeship programs and create more good jobs. Sanders answered by referring to President Franklin Roosevelt’s 1941 “Four Freedoms” speech, delivered on the eve of World War II that argued every American deserved to be free from economic insecurity. Sanders went on to explain that his own campaign is embracing Medicare for All, childcare, tuition-free public colleges and universities, senior care and a strategy to address climate change – all designed to meet basic human needs while also providing good jobs.
Fossil fuel transition
Secretary-Treasurer Ed Ferris asked Sanders about his plan to help America shift from dependence on fossil fuels and the oil industry. The Senator said the first task is to recognize that scientists are clear that global warming presents an urgent danger to the planet– even if the President believes scientists
are wrong and that climate change is a hoax. Sanders said he just introduced “the most comprehensive climate change legislation in history” and that investments in alternatives would generate millions of new jobs.
Koch Brothers and Jones Act
Board member John Fageaux asked Sanders whether the Koch Brothers are a threat to America. “It’s not just them,” said Sanders, noting that America’s billionaires have been taking trillions for
themselves while the majority of Americans are losing ground and seeing cuts to Medicare and Social Security. IBU President Marina Secchitano asked Sanders about his stand on the Jones Act, which provides good union jobs for the workers in the maritime industry. Sanders replied with an enthusiastic, “yes!”
Concluding remarks
The Senator concluded with words of wisdom from Nelson Mandela, who said, “everything always seems impossible until it is done.” Sanders said it is important to recognize that “the system wants you to believe that anything you or I support can’t be done. The system wants us to think tiny and little, but think about history. Slavery was ‘natural’ until enough people stood up and said it was barbaric. One hundred years ago, women did not have the right to vote. Gay people have always been told they had no right to love who they want.
Workers were told that they couldn’t come together to collectively bargain for better conditions. Everything is wrong and crazy until people stand up and fight for it. Thirty years from now,
people will say they can’t believe that 30,000 people used to die every year because they had no health care. The idea of a $15 minimum wage was considered a radical idea four years ago and now it’s the law in seven states. Making marijuana legal was once thought to be impossible. Tuition-free public colleges and universities was recently considered a radical idea, but not anymore.
This is what change is about. We have to change consciousness in America to make people think that the ideas of decency and dignity are what this country is supposed to be about – not giving tax breaks to billionaires and living in an oligarchic society. We are the wealthiest country in the history of the world, and we can do these things.”
Kamala Harris
Speaking out: Senator Kamala Harris said her record of confronting corporate power and working with unions are key to her campaign for president
The California Senator said she was honored to be with ILWU members, recalling her first run for District Attorney in San Francisco was supported by longtime ILWU leaders Leroy King and Fred Pecker. She said she remains eternally grateful to both men who have passed-on. She added, “every election I have fought and won has been with labor and the ILWU. We’ve stood together in many battles
for workers’ rights, collective bargaining and the dignity of labor. I give all
thanks and praise for the work you do every day to secure decent working conditions and address the new challenges involving automation. I’m here today to listen as much as I am to talk, but I would be honored to have your support and look forward to hearing your comments.” She concluded her
opening remarks with what she calls “my 3 am agenda.”
Concerns that worry us at night
“My campaign is based on the kind of issues that wake people up in the middle of the night. The vast majority of Americans are worried about many of the same issues that aren’t being
addressed. They worry about healthcare for themselves and their family members; they worry about getting and keeping a good job; they worry about being able to retire with dignity and whether they can afford expensive prescription drugs. Students worry about paying-off their student loans. These are the things that keep people up in the middle of the night and these are my priorities in this election.
Questions begin with drug prices
Board member and Local 13 President Melvin Mackay asked Harris if she had a plan to lower prescription drug prices. She began with a general response, emphasizing her accomplishments as California Attorney General, when she confronted powerful corporations.
“I took-on the five biggest banks in the United States after they caused people to lose their homes. I rejected their offer to settle for ‘crumbs-on-the-table’ and got a settlement almost ten times more than what they offered.” She said her lawsuit against drug companies for making misleading claims resulted in a $200 million settlement. “I’m probably one of the only people on the debate stage with who can talk about the fights I’ve actually been in…I’ve actually taken-on some of the most powerful interests in the United States. I’ve won and have the track record to prove it.”
Her health plan proposal would allow private insurance companies to continue operating – but only “if they compete under our rules,” she said, “without charging co-pays or deductibles.”
Help for unions
Board member and Local 63-Office Clerical Unit President John Fageaux asked what Harris would do to stem the decline of unions. She began by acknowledging that “labor is under attack and workers are losing ground,” then provided some specifics. “The Secretary of Labor should be someone who supports workers,” she said, referring to President Trump’s recent appointment of Eugene Scalia who is anti-union. She also expressed her opposition to “right-to-work-for less” laws that have been enacted in 27 states. On a personal note, she added, “I’ve walked on picket lines with the ILWU and other union members.”
Border crisis and Trump’s wall
Board member and Local 34 member David Gonzalez asked Harris about the border crisis and Trump’s wall. She said the President helped create the problem by agitating voters against immigrants and by promoting his border wall. She said that when Trump began, there was “net-zero” immigration
into the U.S. – meaning as many people were leaving as arriving to the U.S. “Now Trump is putting babies in cages and separating children from their parents at the border,” practices that Harris said are human rights abuses. Harris then described her visit to a private detention facility in Florida where 2700 children were being held – noting that President Trump has cut aid to poor countries in Central America that need help to address poverty, injustice and violence in order to reduce immigration to the U.S.
Homelessness
Board member Dustin Dawson from Local 142 Longshore asked Harris what could be done about homelessness. She cited the nationwide housing shortage in 99% of U.S. counties where
minimum wage workers cannot afford the rent. The Great Recession in 2008 triggered a foreclosure crisis that added to the problem. The lack of affordable health care and mental health services are also factors that would be addressed with her Medicare for All plan.
Private prison industry
Board member and Local 26 President Luisa Gratz asked whether Harris could do anything about the growth of private prisons and detention centers. The Senator responded quickly, saying, “we need to shut them down.”
LGBT rights
ILWU Canada President Rob Ashton asked about abuses of LGBT immigrants and citizens when they are arrested or detained. Harris said she understood the problems and would not tolerate any abusive behavior.
Subsidies for port automation
Board member Dan McKisson from Local 19 asked Harris if she would support banning federal tax dollars from being used to subsidize the automation of ports. She expressed support for a study on the issue and said analysis should be done by neutral parties.
Criminal justice & prison reform
Vice President Bobby Olvera, Jr. asked what could be done about prison inmates who receive indeterminate sentences, are subject to lengthy solitary confinement, and are held beyond their release dates. Harris said she is supporting several bills that address all three problems and would support even stronger legislation. She told of her visit to California’s super-maximum security prison in Pelican Bay, and meetings with inmates who served long terms in solitary confinement, a practice she described as, “absolutely inhumane.”
College & trade schools
Board member and Local 22 President Dax Koho asked Harris about the challenges facing young people who attend college, graduate in debt and have trouble finding good jobs. Harris said she is concerned about the privatization of student loan programs that occurred since she went to college. She said the current system allows predatory lenders to take advantage of students.
She believes trade schools and apprenticeship programs should be expanded.
Teaching careers could offer good jobs to millions of graduates if pay was raised an average of $13,500 across the nation, which she strongly supports.
Protecting the Jones Act
IBU President and Board member Marina Secchitano asked about the Jones Act. Harris said she supports the law that protects good jobs.
Climate Change
Secretary-Treasurer Ed Ferris asked Harris about her position on Climate Change. “It’s a crisis, and on day-one, I would get us back in the Paris Agreement. I have a Green New Deal plan that will make us carbon-neutral by 2030. A lot of jobs will be created in the process of providing clean air and clean water.”
The future of work and automation
President Willie Adams asked why more candidates aren’t talking about automation and the future of work– and he asked Harris for her views. She replied that the issue requires “a leader who will bring everyone together for an honest conversation about the consequences of automation, including jobs, productivity and who will benefit and who will lose. I admire innovation but don’t think it should cost whole populations of people to lose employment. There’s a lot of information, and a lot of misinformation about the benefits – whether its job creation or the destruction of jobs, so these have to be honest conversations and they require an honest broker, and I intend to be that honest broker.”