Hello All -
I’m a Member of District 1 - Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association. Also a long time supporter of the ILWU. We had a few of our guys down in Charleston showing support for the ILA Local and their situation.
Here are a few quotes that came out of our experience down there that probably will not come out in the media accounts.
“One of the things that gives me problems is that I met some inmates in the Charleston County Jail when I was doing criminal work early in my career as an attorney, and they were on pre-release working through a group called Labor Ready, for Jock Stender (a non-union player), being paid $8 or so per hour, with no cargo handling experience. At least one got killed, none made any real money, and none regarded it as anything more than a job ‘for now’. Union jobs provide something to its members and to the community that is a far cry from that.
If the Port of Charleston allows this type labor to infiltrate the workplace, accidents will increase, productivity will decrease dramatically, and pockets of business will be lined, in the short term. Over the long term, the port efficiency the ILA are responsible and known for here will disappear, as will the scabs used today. Next year they will find a better job somewhere else, for why would anyone stay in arduous, dangerous employment without fair compensation and long term benefits for them and their family?”
..and from another Union Brother:
“At 1700 19 January approximately 450 ILA members and supporters gathered at Local 1422’s headquarters in Charleston, SC.
8 MEBA members attended whom for the moment will be left nameless.
Kenneth Riley Local 1422 President was courteous to invite myself and another member to his office for a private informational meeting with two other local President’s.
It was decided by the local’s officials that, as there were in excess of 500 fully riot armed local and state police onsite, it may very well be best suited to allow the economic impact on the city and Ports Authority speak for the membership.
Estimates are it cost the ‘bandeleros’ in excess of $100,000
It was decided to disband and have those supporters return at midnight.
You know the old adage that nothing ever good happens after midnight? I can tell you it got ugly.
There were at a minimum 200 ILA members and supporters who gathered at midnight and prayed for a safe reconciliation to the impending confrontation prior to being addressed by Ken Riley.
Mr. Riley asked for calm, but quite frankly it was readily apparent that there would be no calm on this cold and damp night on Charleston’s waterfront.
Although the police presence appeared to be downsized, it became readily apparent that as the marchers approached the access to the dock that they were being faced with the Gestapo and really no options left other than a violent confrontation.
The marchers tried to keep the ranks tight, however without bull horns, it was difficult at best. The billy clubs were flying within the first 5 minutes, with protesters flinging rocks from the rail tracks attempting to ‘shoot out’ the floodlights powered by a portable generator. The protesters were flinging handful of rocks, logs and sticks at the riot police.
Without having much success, the protesters overturned the light stand onto the police force. This didn’t make for a good rapport with the authorities who commenced wailing those in close proximity.
The old boys didn’t take a liking to that very much and in light of the fact that one officer was down and getting beat on, the demonstration took a very ugly turn.
A news crew with a female reporter was trying to film some up close footage when they were both manhandled after failing to stop filming as requested by the protesters.
At about 12:40 two un-marked police vehicles approached the protesters from the rear and lit off smoke and tear gas which tended to urge the protesters to move back initially but without ultimate success.
Riot Police used their shotguns and starting peppering the protesters with either salt (doubt it) or small shot with one MEBA member reporting that he had bin bit in the ass by some shotgun spray.
I estimate ten demonstrators were struck in the head with one being definitely ‘out for the count’ with I believe Ken Riley being one of the injured.
By 12:53 the protesters had been beaten back to the main road “East Bay Street” whereby prior to their departure they overturned two news vehicles (SUV types) and regrettably injured one local reporter who was taken to an area hospital.
The Police line moved the protesters back into the parking lot of the ILA and continued blowing off tear gas canisters. Too much wind tonight to make a difference.
By 1:15 myself and two other members departed in our individual vehicles and I returned to post this message as the crowd has disbursed into the headquarters and for now all was quiet.
In closing, the demonstration got ugly to the point that professional newsmen were injured which leaves a bad taste in my mouth. However, having said that if it was drama they were looking for well they got drama.
Right to Work State, Right to Strike State, but I have to tell you it would appear credibility was lost tonight. The rank and file of the ILA local 1422 had apparently enough with the talking (this was the 3rd job action) that it went where it did. The news is going to be all over this which may very well hurt the effort.
The other opinion would be that it will force the Ports Authority to tell the Nordana Lines to take their ship and shove it up their ass, that it is too expensive an exercise to support one scab outfit.”
...and another thought that everybody should wonder about :
“One thing that remains a question is why the ‘International’ would not support the job action yesterday and during the preceding three job actions. It was somewhat of a ‘wildcat’ action.”
Fraternally
Rick Taylor
D1-MEBA
Baltimore, MD
