On 10/25/97, at 6:16 PM, Brian Wiles wrote:

{PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY. Apologies for duplications due to cross-posting.]

EMPLOYERS WANT US TO 'NAME NAMES.' COURT BATTLES LOOM. ======================================
Steve Ongerth, Secretary-Treasurer Industrial Workers of the World East Bay General Membership Branch 2022 Blake Street Berkeley, California

Esteemed Comrade,

Thanks for keeping in touch regarding our fight againt the scurrilous charges and lawsuit the West Coast longshore employers are using to try and suppress our First Amendment rights to free speech, assembly and association.

As you would say, "Free Speech is Labor's Right!" Our successful picket of the "Neptune Jade" -- against the treatment of the Liverpool dockers -- apparently cost the employers quite a bit of money, and so now they're doing everything in their power to attack and harass us legally, in order to keep it from happening again.

You wrote:

What's the latest with Bob Irminger's case?

Any new developments?

Yep. We went to court on the contempt ("violating" the temporary restraining order) charge on Monday. Our attorney, Mr. Dan Siegel, thought he could get it dropped or defeat the charge on its merits. He seemed fairly certain the bosses didn't have a case. But he was delayed, and we ended up playing musical judges for a couple of hours, after which we found out that the court had a scheduling problem and that our case wouldn't be heard that day.

The judge we finally ended up with decided to try and mediate an "amicable resolution" of the case, and so called counsel for both sides into his chambers. He suggested to both sides' attorneys that Robert plead "no contest" to contempt and get one day in jail, suspended sentence (meaning he'd be convicted, but wouldn't actually serve any time).

But no sooner had the judge proposed this settlement, when the employers' attorney came back to say that the offer was unacceptable to their clients. They then offered the following alternative settlement if he pled "no contest": A day in jail, suspended sentence (i.e., no jail time); Robert would pay $2,000 for the employers' legal expenses; and Robert would name every individual and organization on the picket line. To which we replied, in so many words, "F*** you!". So now we're preparing for a fight!

A new court date for Robert's contempt charge was thereupon set for the 6th November, at which time the case will actually be heard, barring any scheduling problems or other acts of God.

The next court date re the lawsuit is the 10th November.

We are planning a defense committee meeting on the 3rd, with Mr. Siegel. I'll let you know more details later. (It would be great if the local Wobblies could send a representative or two.)

It also looks like the First Amendment Project, a not-for-profit civil liberties law office in Oakland, might come on board to help us fight the case. We won't hear from the American Civil Liberties Union for a few more weeks, after their board meeting.

Brothers and sisters and organizations who want to financially support our legal battle for free speech and international solidarity can send their checks to: Liverpool Dockers Victory Defense Committee, P.O. Box 2574, Oakland, CA 94614. (This is a new address specifically for our defense.) Please publicize this as broadly as possible.

Very soon we will have a pledge that people can sign and get every unionist, union officer, celebrity, etc., they know to sign it.

In solidarity,

Brian Wiles ILWU Local 6 Committee for Victory to the Liverpool Dockers