As a retired longshoreman who is disabled and 90 years old, I am eagerly awaiting news each day about this terribly important contract situation with PMA.
I participated in 1946, 48 and 71 strikes and in many union actions and my heart is with the brothers and sisters who are standing united in their determination to maintain the conditions and benefits we have obtained through our many struggles, many of them bloody... And, today we are in a frightfully cruel situation, where the powerful are unmasked and we see the greed, cynicism, lack of concern for humanity–and all this reflected in the attitude of the employers.
We, the retired workers, are getting a very small amount of information, from newspapers and the media. We look forward to Maritime Worker Monitor to help us keep up with what is happening and to help all of us maintain our resolve to protect our very precious union. Never forget: An injury to one is an injury to all.
Keep up the good work!
Asher Harer, Retired Member ILWU Local 34
Hello Brother Harer,
Thanks for thinking of us. We are not getting much information either. We had demonstrations at SSA headquarters in all ports today (18 Sep). It seems like just yesterday that SSA was at the Tacoma longshore hall asking for our help starting up a new stevedoring business. My, how times change. Now they want to cut our throats.
Thanks
Gerry
Tacoma
PS. I was told about SSA by a Tacoma Brother
