Thread started by trickmilla at 05.1.08 - 10:31 am

Defying Employers, Anti-War Dockworkers Plan to Shut Down West Coast Ports

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see, I told you! PC = PIRATE CAPTAIN



Joe Borfo
05.1.08 - 11:30 am

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I was just watching the coverage of this on KCAL, and the ditzy-assed anchorwoman was shaking her head in revulsion as though she were reporting a mass murder. Ships, forced to sit IDLE! For HOURS! Full of CARGO!

I'll have to see whether she makes that face next time she reports the latest body count in Iraq. (I'll bet not.)



PC
05.1.08 - 9:31 pm

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GO GO GO ILWU





sexy
05.2.08 - 12:10 am

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http://libcom.org/news/dockworkers-strike-against-war-america-iraq-01052008
25,000 dock workers in 29 ports across the US went on strike today, to protest the war in Iraq. Meanwhile, in Iraq, dockers stopped work for an hour in a show of international solidarity.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union declared the day as "a day for union business" for workers at all 29 ports on the west coast. This may be the beginning of a record setting anti-war action, since the vast majority of supplies and munitions for the American government's current wars are shipped from the 29 ports on the West Coast. All 29 were closed today.

The decision to strike on May 1st against the war was taken democratically by the rank and file of the ILWU. Employers had been notified of the strike in advance, but refused to accommodate the union’s request, instead trying to get court backing for a ban.

Truckers in Washington, DC were also on strike today, protesting both fuel prices and continued American involvement in Iraq. They rallied today calling for the soldiers to be bought home immediately.

This is not the first time American dockers have walked off the job for political reasons, previously taking action in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Liverpool Dockers.

While actions were taken by American workers, workers in Iraq also stopped work today in the ports of Umm Qasr and Khor Al Zubair as part of their protest against both the war and attacks on union rights in Iraq. The General Union of Port Workers in Iraq issued a statement on the 29th saying:
Quote:

Dear Brothers and Sisters of ILWU in California

The courageous decision you made to carry out a strike on May Day to protest against the war and occupation of Iraq advances our struggle against occupation to bring a better future for us and for the rest of the world as well.

We are certain that a better world will only be created by the workers and what you are doing is an example and proof of what we say. The labor movement is the only element in the society that is able to change the political equations for the benefit of mankind. We in Iraq are looking up to you and support you until the victory over the US administration's barbarism is achieved.

Over the past five years the sectarian gangs who are the product of the occupation, have been trying to transfer their conflicts into our ranks. Targeting workers, including their residential and shopping areas, indiscriminately using all sorts of explosive devices, mortar shells, and random shooting, were part of a bigger scheme that was aiming to tear up the society but they miserably failed to achieve their hellish goal. We are struggling today to defeat both the occupation and sectarian militias' agenda.

The pro-occupation government has been attempting to intervene into the workers affairs by imposing a single government-certified labor union. Furthermore it has been promoting privatization and an oil and gas law to use the occupation against the interests of the workers.

We the port workers view that our interests are inseparable from the interests of workers in Iraq and the world; therefore we are determined to continue our struggle to improve the living conditions of the workers and overpower all plots of the occupation, its economic and political projects.

Let us hold hands for the victory of our struggle.

Long live the port workers in California!

Long live May Day!

Long live International solidarity!





marino
05.2.08 - 12:41 am

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long live PIRATE CAPTAIN!



Joe Borfo
05.2.08 - 1:16 am

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lolPC,

what is your take on your unions actions yesterday. It is my understanding that an Arbitrator order it not to happen and the Higher Up Union Official didn't support (although this may be because of the Arbitrators order, to possibly avoid fines) the actions. Do the majority of the members have a class consciousness and/or a strong stance against the wars? Do you think they maybe just did this to show the Unions strength, or that it was something that you had to do?

Do tell.



sexy
05.2.08 - 9:40 am

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My take on it is that it's about time.



PC
05.2.08 - 1:51 pm

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I hope your bike doesnt go on strike, standing on the sidewalk until the PC brings him home.

THATS AN ORDER!

SKIMDARCUS
05.2.08 - 1:58 pm

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This weekend?



PC
05.2.08 - 2:19 pm

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OH, wow look who's sitting at home, owning a bike.


Pi Ckitup,
Give me a time, i will give you a bike.



SKIDMARCUS
05.2.08 - 3:04 pm

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Sunday afternoon?

I plan to go to the memorial ride at 8:30 AM and then to the screenprinting party, which starts at 1:00 and ends at 5:00. So, I don't know, four-ish? Five-ish? Tell me what works for you. I'll have another bike with me, but I'll just ghost-ride the Surly to downtown and then get on the first bus to San Pedro that has two available bike racks.

Sorry for being a douche and not picking it up earlier, but I really truly couldn't ride at all until a couple of days ago.



PC
05.3.08 - 4:12 am

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