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March 12, 2008
The ILWU: Back to its Marxist Roots
March 12, 2008
At a time when even Russia and China are rejecting their Marxist past, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union still plans on celebrating the birth of communism by taking “May Day” off.
These are people, by the way, who earn six-figure incomes, generous benefits, and pensions for putting in fewer hours on the job than their dock-working comrades anywhere in the world.
That measure of failed solidarity notwithstanding, the ILWU is also asking the AFL-CIO to join them in the work stoppage.
Is it any wonder why many shippers are now choosing to bypass the West Coast altogether now? And with upcoming labor negotiations pending with the Pacific Maritime Association this spring, one might expect even more symbolic disruptions.
Posted by Patrick Burnson on March 12, 2008 | Comments (7)
Reader Comments
at 3/13/2008 2:48:52 AM, Ross commented:
Dear Dolt, May Day is not, and never has been, the celebration of the birth of communism (is there even such a day and what event might mark it, the publication of Das Kapital?). May Day is actually as American as apple pie. It originated in Chicago in 1886 and marked the kick-off of the campaign for the 8-hour day. And how, may I ask, does the ILWU pay scale demonstrate a lack of solidarity with fellow dock-workers? Only to management does worker solidarity mean cutting your salary and benefits - not that management would ever cut theirs to match their lesser paid brethren around the world. Isn't it truly a wonder that with the advent of the internet and the concomitant access of information that such as Patrick Burnson still trumpet their empty-headed twaddle?
at 3/13/2008 4:34:25 PM, John Fisher commented:
Each local in the ILWU is entitled to eight hours of work stoppage each month in which to hold their union meeting. This is an agreement between the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association. To change any predetermined date for an eight hour work stoppage to hold the monthly union meeting requires at least thirty days notice be given to the PMA. The PMA has accepted the unions request for the entire west coast to hold thier meeting on May first. Before you comment on the actions of the ILWU get your facts straight!!!!
at 3/14/2008 4:59:26 AM, Ranjan commented:
Thanks Patrick for raising this issue. I agree with you on the issue that our comrades always talk of work stoppage, salary hike, strike at work and so on and never about improving productivity, performance, cost reduction, customer satisfaction, and bringing accountability to the business and society etc. To see this phenomenon in right perspective, we have to keep “May Day” separate, otherwise these comrades will leave the main issue and show emotions about Das Capital, Mao and Lenin. Like any democratically elected leaders, Union leaders too are promoting easy way. Their voters, like any human being wish to get more and more money and comfort at less and less of work and effort; and unfortunately the comrades are promoting that. I am yet to see a truly responsible comrade who can promote “More money for more work, better productivity or result”. I am sure none of you would have seen that either. Have you ever seen an union of comrades running training or re-skilling program where by the members can improve their employability and contribute to nation? Sometimes it appears that their stand is creating hindrances for upcoming business and thus employment opportunity for the locals. Only hope is that the world changes over time. Communism ended in Lenin’s land and will end in Mao’s land. We just need to keep watch that society is not pulled to another extreme and aberration remains, but in different form.
at 3/21/2008 7:16:50 AM, Kevin commented:
By the way - unfortunately the first two responses above didn't catch your cynical humor - I personally got a light chuckle out of the comparison to socialist states and the ILWU - and the fact of having a paid day to discuss union business. Last I knew, my employer isn't paying me conduct personal business - or should I say conspire against the company in this case - on company time. Like most the working world I either do it on a day off or take a day of vacation. You are correct on your statement (you DO have your facts straight). Unfortunately the ILWU have moved a situation of entitlement, and now the little guy in middle america pays more at the store for ILWU workers to work less and get paid well over $100k/year.
at 4/30/2008 11:53:11 AM, PGR88 commented:
Communists? No! Mafioso? Yes!
at 2/4/2009 10:01:14 AM, Paul commented:
Its just not the ILWU, all union yes voters have forgotten who the customer is and furthermore dont care that they drive rates rates up at the local Wal-Mart and make the US not able to compete in a global commerce trade, as reflected in the first two comments
at 3/11/2009 12:34:24 AM, May Day commented:
Man it's depressing how the USA seems to have a lot of people who only care about the bosses profits. The working class have had to fight all the way to get the basics and in the "home of the free" the richest country in the world millions don't even have health care. The "customer" is probably another worker getting screwed by a global corporation! When will people learn that fighting unions like the ILWU pull up wages and conditions for ALL workers. Perhaps the clowns here would prefer it if everyone got paid twenty cents an hour, then they'd be happy. And the fat cat parasites who own the country could have an extra trillion to spend on luxury idiot lifestyles. Most dockworkers would produce a lot more than the mouthpiece for greed that wrote this tripe. Solidarity forever! from New Zealand.
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