ILWU goes to Washington: Back row: Don Hopkins, George Cobbs, Ralph Rooker; Front row: Rich Austin, Congressman John Lewis, Verna Porter, Lewis Wright
During the week of March 13, ILWU members from the longshore division, Local 142, Hawaii Longshore Division, Alaska Longshore Division, IBU, and pensioners gathered in Washington, D.C. to fight for issues of importance to ILWU members and all American workers.
The conference focused on four key issues: port security, transportation and infrastructure, opposition to Korean and Colombian Free Trade Agreements, and protection of Social Security and Medicare.
“The Conference was highly successful,” said ILWU International President Robert McEllrath. “We were able to agree on a common agenda and work together.” Everyone did a great job getting our concerns across to politicians.”
Port Security Day
Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, and the Committee’s ranking member, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), met with the ILWU delegation concerning port security.
The delegation made it known that the ILWU opposes the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program because it’s a burden on workers, expensive to operate, and not a credible way to prevent terrorism.
The issue of employers abusing port security technology was also raised. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) was told about the misuse of security grants, including three examples at the Port of Stockton in California where federal dollars were used to construct a fence that employers hope will limit ILWU jurisdiction. The Port also used federal grant money to buy security cameras that focus on port workers instead of monitoring the fence line periphery against clandestine entry. Finally, the Stockton port used federal security dollars to build infrastructure projects that are unrelated to port security. Despite these concerns, Murray remains an advocate of the Port Security grant program.
Meeting with Obama’s Labor Liaison
Nate Tamarin, Labor Liaison for President Obama also met with the delegation. He received tough questions which reflect the frustration felt by many workers who feel that the President is not fighting hard for working families and giving too much ground to the right wing.
Social Security and Medicare Day
ILWU pensioners met with members of Congress who are wavering on their support for Social Security, and with other members who are in positions that could help defend the program. ILWU members lobbied the staff of Senator Durbin (D-IL) who is negotiating with Republicans who want to cut Social Security and Medicare. They met with Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) who has publicly expressed a willingness to put Social Security on the table and with Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), who is a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee.
“In my opinion there’s a ‘disconnect’ between many politicians in our nation’s capital and those of us who live in the real world,” said Rich Austin, President of Pacific Coast Pensioners who was a part of the ILWU delegation. “When it came to Medicare the first thing out of the politicians’ mouths was rising costs. We pointed out that every conversation about health care begins with money, rather than health care. That’s in stark contrast to what Congress does when it comes to war. First they authorize war and then find ways to fund it. If they used the same approach when it came to keeping people alive, Medicare and other public health insurance programs would have all the money they need. “
Korea and Colombia Free Trade Agreements
Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) who Co-Chairs the House Labor Caucus, expressed concern that the Korea and Colombian free trade agreements will hurt working people. Lori Wallach, Executive Director of the Global Trade Watch group went through provisions of the Korea Free Trade Agreement that were particularly troublesome – including an asterisk in the labor chapter that makes it clear countries do not have to abide by rules set by the International Labor Organization (ILO).
“The Obama Administration is moving fast on these free trade agreements,” said Coast Committeeman, Ray Ortiz. Jr. “If these end up passing, we know it will mean more jobs lost for American workers. We need to be focusing on creating jobs in this country, not shipping them overseas,” said Ortiz.
Transportation and Infrastructure Day
The ILWU delegates expressed concern about federal investments in short sea shipping, a program that’s being promoted to compete against the low-wage, predominantly non-union trucking sector. ILWU delegates encouraged more investment in infrastructure to help move goods more efficiently from West Coast ports across the country. Notable meetings included a session with Nick Rahall (D-WV), key member of the Transportation Committee, and time with a staffer for Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), who Chairs the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) committed to tell the Dept. of Homeland Security about the ILWU’s concern that TWIC readers and port security technology should not be used by employers for anything other than security.
“Overall, the trip was a success,” said Ortiz. “We educated legislators on issues that are important to ILWU members. Politics can be frustrating, especially when it seems like politicians care more about the Wall Street bankers then the working class. But it’s crucial for us to stay active in politics. There’s too much at stake for workers right now.”