MANDATORY STEWARD'S MEETING: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6th, 1998
NEXT EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13th, 1998
When the workers from California Waste Solutions and Local 6 Business Agent Roberto Flotte spoke at our membership meeting last month their situation had become desperate. According to brother Flotte the $10,000.00 contribution from Local 34 and the $2,000.00 from Local 10 saved the strike. Brother Flotte also credited ILWU Organizing Director Peter Olney, brother's Steve Stallone and Brian McWilliams and the Oakland City Council for their help in the struggle.
The history of the organizing drive at this facility illustrates some of the obstacles organized labor has to overcome in today's "business friendly" environment. The company employed every trick imaginable to keep the union out. They finagled a narrow election victory by "promising" the workers improved wages, benefits and conditions. After a year of waiting the workers went out on a wild cat strike and Local 6 moved in with support. The fight for a contract ran the gamut from threats of relocation, to replacement workers, to hassles over subcontracting. But the workers and the union prevailed. In addition to increased wages and benefits the 6 year agreement contains hiring hall language and strict seniority provisions.
The struggle continues for our brothers and sisters in Local 518. Injunctions limiting picket activities are the order of the day. Picketing is not allowed within 100 feet of CertiSpec offices or anywhere near a location where the company is carrying out its business. The "Ever Gloria" finally arrived in Australia. The ship's location has been a mystery for some time. After turning to, the Australian longshoremen came across a number of safety concerns and have withdrawn all labor. The ship is sitting idle as this goes to press. The court cases for the 28 arrested ILWU members will be coming up soon. In the meantime the union is proceeding with its fight and organizing drive.
Ask not what your union can do for you?: Good wages, holidays, paid vacation, "special" workmen's compensation benefits, health care, retirement benefits, working conditions, collective bargaining rights, grievance machinery, hiring hall, etc., etc., etc.
Ask what you can do for your union!: Attend meetings, pay your dues on time, keep yourself informed, vote in union elections, serve on a committee, promote solidarity by supporting other workers and unions (i.e. visiting someone else's picket line or coughing up a couple bucks for the "cause"), help out new members, vote the "Union Ticket" in general elections, etc., etc., etc.
Brother Steve Fyten 8353The G.C. had a light agenda with a couple of interesting asides. In a Union Complaint a sister was found guilty and given 30 days off. According to legal and NLRB authorities this is not allowed. Time off can only be assessed in employer complaints. Another incident involved 2 brothers who were up graded on the job. Neither called the hall for a replacement. The company only replaced one of them, depriving the union of a work opportunity. Also the brother wasn't paid properly. But nothing can be done because there is no record to show he was upgraded. WHEN YOU ARE UP GRADED IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE YOURSELF! Nuff said!
Contrary to what was said in the Executive Board and Union meeting Local 10's denouncement of the calling of a special caucus does not place us "out of the loop". Locals 7, 25, and 32 have all passed similar resolutions. Likewise, the resolution instructing our delegates to vote against any action that would alter the relationship of the International President to the Coast Committee is being kept as quiet as possible. None of the other locals have been informed.
Thus far only one member has taken up the offer to provide an election statement to this bulletin. The following is from brother Henry Graham.
Brothers and sisters of Local 10:
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for electing me to serve as your business agent for the last two years. I am now running for Executive Board and Caucus & Convention. This being a contract year I urge the membership to elect aggressive representatives to these positions. We need people who will stand up to the employer while protecting the interests of the rank & file. I will do that. With more than 25 years experience I feel I am one of the best qualified persons for the job. Vote for brother Henry Graham.
A couple weeks ago a cartoon appeared in this publication picturing a company flunky chained to the employer with a ring in his nose. There's been some mumbling going on by a few who took offense. There won't be any apologies made but a clarification is in order. There are plenty of steady men who are damn good union members and there are hall men who wouldn't show up to a meeting if you were giving money away. So in fairness, the following is dedicated to the brothers and sisters who see where their real interests lie and are doing what is necessary in order to protect those interests.
I am union and I'm proud.
My membership talks loud.
Where I'm concerned,
I won't get burned,
'Cause the union is my shield.
My protection when I feel,
They done me wrong.
It makes me strong.
I am union and I stand.
And no company demand,
Will make me fall.
I will not crawl.
In this country
Everyone has a right to choose.
So if you're gonna tell me
What I think don't count.
Then heed the news.
I pay my dues
My father before me
was a labor man,
He walked the picket line.
All that he gave me,
I won't give back
And if I must, I'll walk mine.
For the union is the key,
To make workin' people free.
I won't back down,
And lose my ground.
I am union and I'm proud.
My membership talks loud!
Where I'm concerned,
I won't get burned.
'Cause the union is my shield,
My protection when I feel,
They done wrong.
It makes me strong!
Bro. Richard T. Mead
