Brother Anderson,
If what you say is true about supercargo and supervisor wages then the contract is a big “no” vote. I have been a supercargo in Seattle for 35 years and speak from experience. The promotion system with the one door entry should make longshore people know that their promotion on the beach is clerking “not bossing” as bossing is limited to who can butter the cucumber. As with local 52 in Seattle I am sure that all clerks locals need fresh sharp minds. The only way to get them is to do as I have done and constantly tell young longies of the benefits of clerking. Now is the time for our union officials of clerks locals coastwide to explain this basic principle to the longshore membership. Drive a hustler or be a supervisor/supercargo till you retire......dau.
Of course there is a much bigger issue, why don’t the clerks negotiate their own contract????????. I for one and many of my local 52 brothers are tired of riding on the longshore contract. We have many different issues and we just get carried like the walking wounded on the back of the longies when in fact the longies should be looking at the clerks for their future. “I” as kinda a silent militant would like to see the clerks start negotiating their own contract separate from the longies. I don’t know how but I think it is a worthwhile project for every local, clerk and longshore to pursue. There would be great muscle in clerk autonomy.
Russ Rousseau
