Re-Elect Brian McWilliams

IBU Committee to Re-Elect Brian McWilliams
2 July 2000

Dear Sisters & Brothers,

It’s time for the ILWU International elections for officers and your participation is crucial. We are writing to urge you to vote, to ask for your support to re-elect President Brian McWilliams and to give you the reasons why.

Over the six years that Brian has been in office he has fought for IBU issues and has never wavered in his commitment to the rank & file of this union. Brian has always been there for the IBU and has worked tenaciously on the following issues, just to mention a few:

• Initiated an organizing program that has organized 4,000 new members
• Testified before the Washington State Transportation Committee about the ill affects of Initiative 695 on IBU members at Washington State Ferry
• Was instrumental in putting together the Fort James and Kelly Point facility in the Columbia River Region
• Fought to prevent the expansion of the Olympic pipeline into the Columbia River area
• Repeatedly fought to prevent legislation that would change the Passenger Services Act or the Jones Act by allowing foreign flag vessels (i. e. : ferries) to operate within US Ports, thereby protecting our jobs on ferries in Washington and Alaska
• Played a major role in the outcome of the sale of Crowley’s Red & White Fleet to Blue & Gold Fleet (a former top to bottom MMP company) resulting in the IBU maintaining its jurisdiction
• Made the dredging of all West Coast Ports a priority for the ILWU/IBU creating more jobs for our members
• Made organizing funds and staff available to the Hawaii region for major IBU organizing drives
• Co-authored a convention resolution that we believe will result in a coastwise organizer dedicated to organizing the ever growing non-union segment of the towing industry
• Led the ILWU delegation in the WTO demonstration in Seattle, consistent with his history of standing up for social justice globally
• Advised and supported legislation both federally and in the Washington State legislature dealing with the Rescue Tug in Puget Sound

As you know, the IBU is the Marine Division of the ILWU. We affiliated with the ILWU because of its history as a democratic and progressive union, which we want to maintain. The IBU is currently the third largest division in the International Union. It’s time to make our voices heard about who will lead our Union for the next three years. Brian’s vision includes making the ILWU stronger through solidarity and organizing while respecting dissent, protecting democracy and encouraging diversity.

Because Brian has consistently supported the issues facing the IBU he is the candidate we can count on. Can the IBU count on Spinosa to work for it? He has not come out in support of our issues in the three years that he has been the International Vice-President.

The future of the IBU is at stake in this election! We have worked with Brian over the last six years and have seen the progress our Union has made. We believe Brian McWilliams will best represent the interest of the IBU. We ask for you to join us in supporting the re-election of Brian McWilliams as ILWU International President.

In Solidarity,

Terri Mast, IBU Secretary Treasurer, Darryl Tseu, Alaska Regional Director, Leif Jenkinson, Alaska Patrolman, Richard Gurtiza, Region 37 Regional Director, Jonny Chrisosomo, Region 37 Patrolman, Pete Jones, Puget Sound Regional Director, Dennis Conklin, Puget Sound Patrolman-Ferry Boats, Stuart Downer & Alan Cote, Puget Sound Patrolmen-Tug Boats, Patrolman Tom Williams, Columbia River Patrolman, Marina Secchitano, San Francisco Regional Director, Derrick O’Keefe, San Francisco Patrolman, Lono Kane, Hawaii Regional Director

Paid for by the IBU Committee to Re-Elect Brian McWilliams as ILWU President