Telling the truth in Tacoma: ILWU Local 23 President Dean McGrath spoke at the Tacoma rally on January 22 and invited younger members to also share the podium.
Hundreds of longshore workers, families, and community supporters held a nighttime rally and march in downtown Tacoma. The goal was to show unity and solidarity for a fair contract – and set the record straight about the companies’ role in causing port congestion and delays.
When they arrived at Tollefson Plaza, many marchers wore their safety vests and hard hats on a cold dark night with light rain. Members and supporters came from throughout the Puget Sound region, plus Portland, Longview and Vancouver along the Columbia River and up north to Canada.
Long-distance attendees included Alaska Longshore Division President Chuck Wendt and Juneau President Dennis Young.
“Shutting down the ports by cutting shifts and sending workers home is not a solution to the congestion and delays – it’s only making things worse,” said Local 23 President Dean McGrath who welcomed a short list of speakers who were notable for their strong Local 98 member Zeek Green brought his family to the podium as he shared a clever and hard-hitting “rap” about the lengthy longshore contract struggle.
Washington State Labor Council President Jeff Johnson noted that former ILWU President and co-founder Harry Bridges, said that workers must always struggle against corporate greed. And local 25 year-old member Meghan Mason led the crowd in a chant; “Union town, through and through, you for me, and me for you!” before delivering a strong speech.
When the rally ended, the march took shape with a new twist: a set of battery-powered electrified letters, each carried by a marcher, spelled out an important message when carried in formation: END PORT LAYOFFS.
This “light brigade” led marchers on a short walk to the Glass Bridge, a pedestrian overpass spanning Interstate 705, where the lighted message and throngs of marchers were visible to thousands of cars passing below.
The well-organized and tightly timed event lasted just 90 minutes, but many reported that it boosted spirits – and scored positive media coverage in local TV, radio and newspaper outlets.
Local 19 worker Leith Kahl came down for the rally from Seattle carrying his banjo that he used with his powerful voice to serenade supporters at the end of the march with union solidarity songs, including one that he’d written about the cancelled shifts and employer firings that became routine in the Northwest beginning last fall. “It’s all part of making history, and always better when our voices are heard in the process.”