Obama's and Kennedy's Letters of Support for Blue Diamond Workers in Sacramento
(Sept. 26, 2008) Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama and Senator Edward Kennedy have each issued letters in support of workers at the Blue Diamond almond processing facility in Sacramento, as they seek to unionize.

 Obama and Kennedy announce their support for Blue Diamond workers
Presidential candidate Barack Obama and U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy are lending their support to hundreds of workers at Sacramento’s Blue Diamond almond plant who are seeking a union and scheduling an election to improve conditions at the world’s largest almond processor. Workers will hold a press conference in front of the Blue Diamond Growers plant this Friday, September 26th at 11 am, on the corner of 17th and “C” Streets in Sacramento.

It’s Unanimous: Caucus Approves Contract Proposal for Membership Review and Vote

After four days of questions, discussion and debate, Longshore Caucus delegates voted unanimously on Thursday, August 21 to send the proposed contract to the membership for their review and vote. The vote by Caucus delegates who convened in San Francisco on August 18th was 153 “yes” and 0 voting “no.”

“We went though the proposed contract line by line,” said Greg Mitre of Local 13. “Everyone asked questions about how the new contract would work, how it would impact members, and how the Committee came to the agreement. Now it’s up to the members to read it for themselves, ask questions, get answers, and decide whether to ratify it.”

“The delegates covered every aspect of the contract — including health care, safety, jurisdiction, pensions, working conditions and wages — with nearly every delegate weighing in at the podium,” said Local 19 delegate Dan McKisson. “Our Caucus Chair, JoJo Cortez, made sure that everyone who wanted to had a chance to be heard.”

Copies of the proposed agreement will be available at every dispatch hall, with additional copies being mailed to the homes of every member. The proposed agreement is also posted online.

Local unions will hold membership meetings to discuss the proposed agreement in late august and early September, with voting at locals that will follow and conclude by mid-September. Results of the ratification vote will be available by the end of September, and will be faxed to each local and posted online.

The ILWU Coast Negotiating Committee

The ILWU Coast Negotiating Committee reached final terms on a Memorandum of Understanding for a new contract on August 28, 2008.  The MOU is being reviewed by Coast Caucus delegates the week of August 18-22, and will be sent to the memership for review and a vote if approved by the Caucus. 

Members of the ILWU Longshore Negotiating Committee are pictured here, along with members of the Coast Safety Committee, ILWU staff, and attorneys. (L-R), BACK ROW: Marc Cuevas, President Local 54, Small Ports Rep., Calif. Reg.; Greg Mitre, Alternate Rep., Local 13; William Adams, ILWU International Secretary-Treasurer; Trent Willis, Business Agent Local 10, N. Calif. Reg. Rep.; THIRD ROW FROM FRONT: John Philbrook, President Local 21, Small Ports Rep., Ore./Col. River Reg.; Cameron Williams, Local 19, Wash./P.S. Reg. Rep.;  Fred Gillam, President Local 91, Foremen/Walking Bosses Rep.; Herald Ugles, President Local 19; Frank North, Alternate Rep, Local 94; Ralph Rucker, Pensioners Rep. Northern Calif. Reg.; Rudy Alba, Local 94, Foremen/Walking Bosses Rep.; Paul Wieser, President Local 98, Foremen/Walking Bosses Rep.; Tracy Burchett, Local 53, Small Ports Rep.; SECOND ROW FROM FRONT: Adrian Diaz, Dispatcher Local 63, Marine Clerks Rep.; Duane Johnson, Sec.-Treas. Local 51, Small Ports Rep., Wash./PS Reg.; Jeff Smith, President Local 8, Ore/Col. River Reg. Rep.; Joe Cortez, Local 13, S. Calif. Reg. Rep.; Danny Miranda, President Local 94, Foremen/Walking Bosses Rep.; Pete Favazza, Local 13, M&R Rep.; Tim Podue, Executive Board, Local 13, S. Calif. Reg. Rep.; John Castanho, Benefits Specialist, Coast Committee, Longshore Division; Attorneys Robert Remar and Peter Saltzman, FRONT ROW: Kirsten Donovan, Director of Contract Administration and Arbitration; Leal Sundet, Coast Committeeman ; International Vice President Joe Radisich; International President Bob McEllrath, Coast Committeeman Ray Ortiz, Jr., Richard Cavalli, President Local 34, Marine Clerks Rep., Tony DePaul, Local 23, Wash/P.S., Reg. Rep., Jim Daw, Local 8 Ore./Col. River Reg. Rep., Melvin Mackay, President Local 10, N. Calif. Reg. Rep. (CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR A LARGER VERSION).

For more info., see www.contract2008.org. Photo by Craig Merrilees.

THE DISPATCHER 

July-August 2008 Dispatcher (PDF)
Complete July-August 2008 Dispatcher as an Adobe Acrobat file (PDF).

Seaport Celebration--Explore the Treasures of Your Port Join us for a fun-filled day at the Port of Portland's fourth annual Seaport Celebration! Experience fun activities for all ages - face painting, games, prizes, equipment demonstrations by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, and tours of the dock with views of the large container cranes. Unlock the mystery of how many of the things you depend on every day are delivered through the Port of Portland's marine terminals. The Captain Bogg & Salty pirate band will perform at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the ILWU will grill food while supplies last. Saturday, August 16 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Terminal 6 7201 N. Marine Drive Portland, OR 97203 Please RSVP Today! Photo ID required for all adults Note: RSVP is not required but appreciated in order to get an accurate count for event planning purposes. Please contact Brooke Berglund if you have any questions at 503.944.7532.

. PO Box 3529 . Portland, OR 97208 .