It almost sounds like Mitre is running for Miniace’s job doesn’t it?? I find it a little disturbing that he seems to think the “cargo” is more important than the Union’s legacy. And Peyton stating that “we’re educated now”. Does that mean that all longshoreman that were working before he came to office didn’t have the sense to work on the waterfront?? Or did he just pass the T. A. B. E. ?? I really resent that comment. Because in my opinion if you look at the leadership that the ILWU has had in the last 10 years at least we have gone far down hill from the days of Harry, Louie and the rest of the boys.
This whole thing about “us” disrupting “commerce” to enact social change is an employers’ ploy that these guys (Peyton and Mitre) have fallen for. And that’s our power on the waterfront. And I believe we use it grudgingly. It certainly is not an everyday occurrence. And in this member’s opinion we have a responsiblity first to the principles of this Union. Not to what the employers deem our responsiblity is. Because when we act as proud, active Union men and women we do the work also, so the employer is taken care of. We need to be very careful in balancing the employers’ wishes and the guiding principles of the ILWU which have always promoted a strong responsiblity to other working men and women and the problems of workers everywhere.
Tim 35181
