ILWU pensioners are beginning to get organized in Alaska. It started this past September at the Pacific Coast Pensioners Association Convention where ILWU President Bob McEllrath and Pacific Coast Pensioners President Greg Mitre presented a new charter authorizing the formation of the All Alaska Pensioners Group. Coordinating the effort is W.C. “Pee Wee” Smith of Ketchikan, shown in the lower photo, receiving the official charter document. He’s counting on help from many pensioners to overcome the large distances and travel expenses
involved with organizing a network in Alaska. Important help was recently provided with a donation from active members of the Alaska Longshore Division who donated $5000 to help jump start the Pensioner’s treasury plus a $5000 annual donation to the group’s travel fund. Smith says the contributions are a big help and much appreciated. Appearing in the top photo are (L-R) former Local 200 President John Bush from Juneau, Ardith and husband W.C. “Pee Wee” Smith of Ketchikan who is President of the All Alaska Pensioners Group, Past President of Kodiak Unit John Kennedy who also served as past Secretary-Treasurer of the Alaska Longshore Division, Gene and Maggie Fennimore of Wrangell, Alaska.