RECOGNITION FOR ILWU WORKERS
Since the 1930’s, the ILWU workers have been recognized for their important contributions on the docks and in their communities.
“I don’t feel like a stranger in the midst of the ILWU. We have been strengthened and energized by the support you have given to our struggles. We’ve learned from labor the meaning of power. The struggle in the civil rights movement is to transform powerlessness into concrete power, which means the ability to effect change.”
“Every election I have fought and won has been with labor and the ILWU. We’ve stood together in many battles for workers’ rights, collective bargaining and the dignity of labor. I give all thanks and praise for the work you do every day to secure decent working conditions and address the new challenges involving automation.”
“The sacrifices, resilience, and selflessness of those who work in the maritime industry have kept our supply chain functioning and our economy connected, and will serve as a foundation as we look to recover as a country in 2021.”
“The maritime and port workforces have been and continue to be an underpublicized success story in keeping our Nation afloat during the economic dislocation caused by COVID-19. … All the workers who report to work at shipping lines, railroads and trucking companies, longshore laborers and other maritime industry service providers are facing the daily challenges of COVID-19 while still getting the job done. They deserve our applause and thanks.”
“What we must not forget are the thousands of American laborers whose livelihood is directly related to the maritime industry. … The men and women who perform these sometimes difficult and thankless jobs are our friends and neighbors and our brothers and sisters, and we should never lose sight of the current difficulties they face or the contributions they make to our continued prosperity.”
“I would salute … the ILWU, a union of patriots who operate the cranes and do other things that are essential at our ports.”
“The longshore jobs at our ports are some of the last remaining good paying blue collar jobs. These jobs have allowed workers to buy homes, send their kids to college, and live the classic ‘American Dream.’ The threat of losing these good jobs is reason enough for me to oppose automation — but there is another serious consequence of automation that has not gotten the attention it should: vulnerability to economy-crippling cyber attack. … These will be the threats of the future if we sit by and let it happen. But today I take solace knowing this: you can’t hack a longshoreman.”
“Since the COVID-19 outbreak, ILWU dockworkers have continued to play an enormously critical role in supporting our economy – ensuring that Americans receive vital goods, including PPE and medical supplies.”
From a Dec. 8, 2020 letter to West Coast governors, signed by William E. Adams, International President, International Longshore and Warehouse Union; James McKenna, President & CEO, Pacific Maritime Association; Mario Cordero, Executive Director, Port of Long Beach; Eugene D. Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles; John Wolfe, Chief Executive Officer, The Northwest Seaport Alliance; Danny Wan, Executive Director, Port of Oakland; and Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director, Port of Portland
“The workforce is essential to keeping our economy moving, and they have put their health on the line. As ports, we cannot avail ourselves of the benefits of cargo volume without acknowledging the men and women who have continued to report to work, day in and day out, during the COVID crisis.”
“These guys have been flying without a net since March. We’ve done our level best to get testing for ILWU members on a regular basis. Now, as the vaccine rolls out, these men and women have been on the job since day one.”
“Our dockworkers and industry partners have risked their health to keep the gears of our economy turning during this pandemic.”