Brothers & Sisters,
I have been following the struggle in Charleston by ILA Local 1422 and their fight to stop scab operations on the waterfront. Being out of Baltimore originally (ex NMU seaman and friend of Local 333 of ILA as well as a member of Local 33 of International of Marine & Shipbuilding Workers of America when I worked Sparrows Point Shipyard). I am aware that ILWU has sent support to Charleston docks and over $100,000 of ILWU dues money in the defense of four victimized Local 1422 members. I sent a donation myself along with a letter of solidarity.
Where is the International in this dispute? I don’t even see a mention of this beef on your web site. Hell there is an international effort by maritime capital to destroy longshoremen unions worldwide and they have been damn successful in recent years except where, like in Australia, labor solidarity pushed them back.
When is the international leadership of the ILA going to get into action against union-busting? I’m proud to have picketed, for three days, the M/V Neptune Jade, when it tried to unload scab cargo in Oakland back in 1998. About time the ILA International stepped up to the plate and helped put a stop to scab operations on the East and Gulf coast.
Fraternally
For Victory to ILA Local 1422 Defendants
&
A Solid Union Waterfront
Charlie Minster
Member in Good Standing
LIUNA Local 1141
