The PMA is attempting by hook or crook to deregister newly-elected Local 10 Business Agent Richard Mead. Don’t let them do it! This is an attack against the ILWU! Employers, moving under Section 17.81 of the PCLCD, are citing as an excuse that Brother Mead, while lashing reefer containers and acting as a steward, briefly turned off the reefer motors after clearing it with his Walking Boss. Every longshore worker knows that refrigerated containers because of their noise, electrical cords and leaks pose a constant threat to our health and safety during lashing operations.
Richard was simply following Local 10’s Constitution, Article XVII, that stewards “shall coordinate their efforts at all times towards creating better working conditions.” Furthermore, he complied with Section 11.431 (health and safety) of the PCLCD.
PMA’s charges are a subterfuge. The real reason for PMA’s deregistration move is because of Richard’s consistent union activism. Since he was registered on the waterfront, in 1989, Richard has played an active role on Local 10’s Steward Council, Executive Board, Grievance Committee, Publicity Committee and began publishing the Waterfront Worker. Clearly, PMA is violating Section 13.1 which protects ILWU members involved in union activities against employer discrimination . We can not allow PMA to deregister Richard. To do so would allow employers to hand pick our union officials. Militant officials would be disciplined and “kiss asses” would be left alone.
In 1995, when PMA moved to discipline two Seattle Local 19 officers for carrying out the will of the membership (re: fair dispatching of extra walking boss jobs through the union hall, not company picks) they provoked the anger of longshoremen on the whole coast. The coast was shut down in protest after a Presidents’ meeting here at Local 10.
In November, PMA claimed it was “a spirit of cooperation” and “good will” that motivated employers to drop the Neptune Jade lawsuit. In fact, it was the July 22 port shutdown and labor solidarity that broke the PMA’s resolve.
After the judge threw out their federal lawsuit in L.A. against ILWU work stoppages, PMA claimed that their suit wasn’t necessary anymore because “longshore workers had learned their lesson”. Sheer hypocrisy! Everytime PMA loses, they claim a “victory”!
One thing is certain: if PMA doesn’t stop its attack on Local 10 B.A. Mead, they will be provoking more job actions. At the February-March 1996 Longshore Caucus, Local 10 submitted a resolution which passed on defending our union officers against PMA attacks which stated in part, “No union can function if its officers are not free to act without fear of reprisal by the employers.” Stop the victimization of our Business Agent!
The arbitration for Richard Mead is the same day as our union meeting, February 18, in the Henry Schmidt Room at 10 AM. Let’s fill the room to let PMA know we won’t allow them to get away with it. BE THERE! SQUARE OFF !
Henry Graham #8100
Tony Machado #7852
Mark Collins #8752
Wendy Hadden # 9014
Brian McDonald #8875
Erick Wright #8946
Jack Heyman #8780
Leo Robinson #6461
Juan Del Pozo #8964
Larry Wright #8534
Aaron Wright #8862
Tom Villeggiante #8812
Mike Villeggiante #8997
Clarence Thomas #8718
Walter Cook #8954
Dave Mouton #8735
Chris Baptiste #8963
Steve Fyten #8353
F. Williams #8790
Mario Siguenza #8527
Michael Simpson #8706
Kevin Gibbons #8939
Anthony Silas #8916
Marc Dailey #9170
Keith Shanklin #9146
Bernard Arnold #8768
Ed Prado #8904
William Ross #9078
Arthur Torres #8958
Edward Oliver #8300
Robert Ford #6122
Manuel Jardin #8113
Rick James #9144
Jose Alcala #8900
Kent Davis #9044
Eric David #8802
C. Hardin #6905
Ed Clay #9097
Leo “Skinner” Williams #7187
