In response to Jim Sutherland, 18 Aug
Jim,
I, as a second generation longshoreman, I don't think you have the respect for retired "MEMBERS" that they deserve! These people are the ones who went on strike, fought bloody battles, and worked hard manual labor, when most men would not even look at a longshore job.
Now that the job is mechanized and a lot of the manual labor has gone from the job. Now everyone wants it. Don't forget who got you the things you have now, and the things you will have in the future. My father put in 38 years on the front and, yes he has some nice things. and he now only receives about $1300 per month pension.
Don't point at retirees and envy what they have. I say more power to them. Could you have a house on a golf course, a diesel pickup,and play golf every day, and have a winter home in so. cal. on $1300 per month???? The difference is that when they worked they didn't have time to play golf, they were on the job working and protecting your job.
So now they golf. Did you also note, that they walk with a limp, or have trouble hearing, or one of the many other things that plague our old timers? REMEMBER "An injury to one is an injury to all" Retired or not!
These men and women deserve any and all we can give. Maybe if we spent more time at union meetings being involved in the union, we would be proud that we were able to get someone somthing, rather than be greedy and want it all for ourselves. The difference between the retirees and so many actives today is that we don't want to wait till we are retired to golf, and play, in their day they did! They had to. They had no choice but to fight for what was theirs and to provide for their families.
So next time don't act as if you are a friend to retirees and then bash them because they are able to do more with less than you! I commend the job our Coast committee did on retirement, even if it cost me a little on my end! I'm sure the retired gave up a ton to make sure this job would be here for me, and to maintain working conditions for all of the great I.L.W.U. members.
So to end, GOD BLESS THE OL' TIMERS, the work they have done to build this fine union. It is about time we remembered them, for without them we would have nothing!
The employer would kick them to the curb in a heartbeat. I just hope that when I retire I have folks like the members of our Coast committee to stand and fight for me.
SO GOLF ON BROTHERS AND ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE, I JUST WISH WE COULD DO MORE!
In solidarity
Yale Fogarty 86068
Jim Sutherland's message, 18 Aug
I recently took a short trip to the beach and had an opprotunity to play a little golf. As I was approching the first tee I noticed that the golfer that was waiting there was a longtime retired longie and he was waiting for his partner who was also retired from our union.
We renewed our friendships and proceded to play. During our conversation I learned several things, both had homes on the golf course, both were driving new pickup trucks, diesels, both had winter homes in southern cal. and they played golf everyday. They were also elated to be getting a generous raise. I guess the winter homes needed new airconditioning.
Jim
