Joe Fleetwood, General Secretary of the Maritime Union of New Zealand, addressed the Longshore Caucus that was held near San Diego, CA from June 11-15. Fleetwood was joined on stage by members of the ILWU solidarity delegation who were sent to New Zealand to support 292 dockworkers who were unlawfully locked out by the Ports of Auckland. Fleetwood was also a featured speaker at the 35th ILWU convention held the week before.
Following the ILWU International Convention, the union’s Longshore Division convened a Caucus attended by delegates elected from Longshore, Clerk and Foremen Locals on June 11-15 at the Del Coronado Hotel near San Diego.
The 88 Caucus delegates debated important issues and tackled 37 different policy resolutions. Also present were Fraternal Delegates, including longshore workers from Canada, Hawaii, and Alaska – plus 40 Pensioners from up and down the coast.
Among the key issues covered by the Caucus were: New Technology and mechanization: A slide-show presentation from the 11-member Clerks’ Technology Committee was well-received and won a standing ovation. The presentation featured videos of cranes and UTRs operating at the Port of Rotterdam using robotics, remote controls and remote sensors – requiring few or no workers to be present. The Committee noted that a $4.6 billion investment by the Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) is expected to use some of this new technology at a new facility at the Port of Long Beach in as little as two years. In addition to analyzing the impact of future technology, the Committee explained how important it is for members to understand how employers are already manipulating the flow of information in ways that undermine job security for all dock workers – not just Clerks. The Committee concluded their presentation by summarizing the challenges – and offering solutions for future consideration and action.
Maintenance and Repair: Delegates and the Coast Committee officers detailed the ways that employers are attempting to subvert long-established ILWU work. One technique used by employers involves the transfer of chassis repair and other maintenance work to off-dock locations which employ non- ILWU workers. While transferring this work to non-ILWU workers is clearly prohibited by the contract, PMA member companies are intentionally violating the contract – and forcing the union to needlessly arbitrate the violations.
Some of the more than three dozen resolutions adopted by the Caucus included:
• A call for all companies represented by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) to honor ILWU jurisdiction and fully comply with the contract. The resolution noted that a rogue PMA member company, ICTSI, has refused to comply with the contract and has ignored rulings from an arbitrator and the Coast Labor Relations Committee. The issue involves clearly established ILWU jurisdiction by Local 8 mechanics over the plugging, unplugging and monitoring of refrigerated containers.
The rogue company, ICTSI, has improperly assigned the ILWU work to another union.
• A call to repeal the Transport Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Program. The resolution calls on the ILWU to advocate for less wasteful and more effective security measures to protect America’s ports. The long delays and inaccurate records used by the TWIC system have denied work for too many qualified longshore workers and failed to protect the public – while enriching private contractors who benefit from collecting the hefty fees. Efforts by the ILWU to raise concerns about the TWIC program in Washington have resulted in some modifications and reforms, but the program remains in place. When a TWIC card expires, workers will now have two choices:
1. Paying $60 to renew their card for three years, requiring no additional background check and only one trip to apply; or
2. Paying $130 for a 5-year card which requires a new background check and two trips; one to apply and a second to pick up the card.
On June 28th, ILWU Legislative Director Lindsay McLaughlin testified at a Congressional hearing about the need to repeal the TWIC program. The Coast Committee intends to monitor the experience of workers who re-apply for their cards and will continue opposing the TWIC program in Washington.
Contributions approved:
Coast delegates approved several resolutions involving financial contributions, including: $250,000 to help build the Booker T. Washington Community Center in
San Francisco; and $100,000 to help build a Harry Bridges monument at San Francisco’s Harry Bridges Plaza Coast Committeemen nominated
The Caucus concluded with nominations for two Coast Committemen positions. For the California position, incumbent Ray Ortiz, Jr. from Local 13 was the sole nominee. For the Pacific Northwest position, Local 23 member Roger Bloespflug and incumbent Leal Sundet of Local 8 were nominated.