There are a lot of comments being made about the SPD or Summary Plan Description where the words “Lifetime Benefits” were removed from the booklet. It has been said that I removed them. For the record, the language was removed in 1993, while Dave Arian was the International President of the ILWU.
It has been said that 40 million dollars was missing from the Pension Plan because of Amendment 26. For the record, in the summer of 1997 the Coast Committee agreed to an amendment that changed the formula that determined the employer’s contribution to the Pension Plan.
First, the minimum required assets were raised from 59% to 85% immediately. This meant that should the stock market take a serious downturn and the assets drop below 85%, the employers would have to make sufficient contributions to raise the assets up to at least 85% of the benefits promised.
Second, all the benefits under the pension plan were, for the first time ever, backed by assets. Right now, for every dollar in the pension promised to our retired and active members, there is at least one dollar in pension assets. The Pension Plan is more secure today than ever before.
Some of the other accomplishments of my administration include:
Now, we have forged a new partnership with the AFL-CIO, one that has transformed their issues and policies to better reflect those of the workers they represent, in the true ILWU tradition.
Some people may disagree with that, but those are the facts!
I want to talk a moment about the longshore division. When it comes to issues in this division, such as automated dispatch halls, training and registration, we have to work together, so that whatever changes we make are certain not to compromise our ability for self-determination in the future.
Now I know that registration is needed but before we take on registration, we need to refine the process so that three critical issues are addressed.
First, we must develop a labor pool to meet the future challenges of technology and automation. Second, our registration must represent a cross section of the blue-collar port communities we work in. And third, we must establish a system of training for applicants to meet the standards for coming into the industry.
Another issue of great importance to the longshore division is the issue of proposed criminal background checks for every longshore worker in the United States. This proposed legislation targets the longshore worker unfairly. I have been to Washington D. C. , Seattle and San Francisco opposing this unfair legislation. All longshore workers should write our representatives and tell them to vote NO on the Drug Free Port Security Act.
Another major concern for the longshore division is the issue of dredging our ports. This dredging must be done to ensure that cargo ships of all sizes have access to our West Coast ports. I have sent delegations to Washington, D C to meet with the Transportation Committee to make sure the dredging bills are passed.
There is one more issue to consider and it has to do with leadership qualities. The ILWU requires a leader who knows that our strength lies in the fact that we are all united in one Union. It requires a leader who can put that understanding into practice, who has a vision to administer the policies and the programs of the Union for the benefit of “all” of its members. I am committed to making the ILWU stronger and better, stronger through solidarity, through respecting dissent, protecting democracy and encouraging diversity.
I run on a record that can’t be matched by my opponent, and ask for your vote in re-electing me to another 3 year term, as your President.
In Solidarity,
Brian McWilliams
ILWU International President
June 1, 2000
