H17381
Headlines : InternationalWest Coast longshore workers plan walkout over war
Rank and file members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union plan an eight hour work stoppage on May Day at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in protest against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The action is proceeding despite hostility from the Pacific Maritime Association (representing employers) and union leaders, who have capitulated to employers, an indication of how strong anti-war feeling is amongst regular dockworkers.
See also this earlier article from the San Francisco Chronicle for more background on the stoppage.
[Posted By Szamko]Republished from Long Beach Press Telegram
West Coast dockworkers plan to walk off the job Thursday to protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, even though the action doesn’t have the formal support of their employers or the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
It was unclear how successful the effort will be at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where a group of longshore workers admitted uncertainty to how widely the plan was received by other dockworkers.
“There are lots of members who are expressing their personal views and committing to this voluntary action,” said Craig Merrilees, an ILWU spokesman.
ILWU executives had initially given their blessing to an eight-hour work stoppage during the busy day shift, which was suggested two months ago during a union caucus held in San Francisco.
Posted by Szamko
Just tries to tell the truth.
one of the several good things about the fall of the cccp is that we can reclaim Mayday as a labor solidarity day.
West Coast ports shut down as workers protest Iraq war Dole Fresh Fruit Co.‘s San Diego operation reported a loss of $316,000 because of a work stoppage yesterday by West Coast dockworkers protesting the Iraq war…Dole’s report of losses, mostly in bananas, was the only one disclosed by local companies in the daylong protest, which involved thousands of workers at 29 ports from San Diego to Seattle.
Resistance.
Resistance by force is futile, but resistance through knowledge and not going along with the program, Not Doing, can succeed where protesting and simply voting can never succeed.
Imagine instead of grumbling about the war in Iraq, the high price of food and gasoline, most Americans stayed home and used the money saved to cover the cost of not going to work on the 27th of this month, doing nothing for the Memorial Day weekend, but instead stay home and fast, meditate and maybe write a letter to one of the troops in Iraq about their sincere desire to see the end of this war.
Over 80% are now in favor of getting them out and ending this occupation. When Dick Cheney was told this his response was “So.” It seems he feels there is nothing we can do, and he is fundamentally right.
If 80% had the courage of their convictions and would simply not do what is expected of them, the world would take notice.
Businesses would lose untold billions of “lost” revenue, the gasoline supply pipeline would back up, relieving the price gouging that usually comes with the traditional start of the “summer driving season.” On the Tuesday, when the shortened workweek begins, if 80% called in and their employers they were sick of this war, it would send shockwaves through the system.
I’m sure when Wednesday morning arrived it is unlikely they’d lockout and fire 80% of those still fortunate enough to have a job.
If this doesn’t produce results, the 4th of July falls on a Wednesday making it an ideal opportunity to hold another DO NOTHING for Peace, but this time stretch it out for 5 days. The holiday, two days afterward and the normal weekend.
For those pondering the wisest ways to spend their economic stimulus checks, this would probably be it.
Use your own money the government is borrowing to loan to you to stimulate spending, to sit home and not spend, first for a day, then two and maybe 3 for Labor Day if they still don’t seem to be getting the message.
That would blow some minds if, after the traditional 3 day Labor Day weekend, nobody showed up until Friday to pick up their checks.
Bet the election this fall would no longer be about who can best bomb Iran.
Peace,