ILA Atlantic Coast District Convention Wrap Up

Election Brings Change of Leadership

Hollywood, Fla. (July 21) -More than 500 delegates, executive council members and guests attended the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) Atlantic Coast District 33rd Quadrennial Convention at the Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, Florida last week.

The four-day convention was held from July 16 through July 19 and covered issues of vital importance to the ILA's Atlantic Coast District, such as organizing, safety and training, health care, port security, labor-management relations, legislative activities and harbor projects.

ILA and ACD leaders also addressed the 2004 Master Contract, which is set to expire in 2010. In his remarks, ILA and ACD President John Bowers called for the elimination of tiered wages and container royalty caps, noting that he is not "deaf or blind to the cries from some quarters of the ILA" against them, but pointed out that when the contract was negotiated in 2004, he viewed tiered wages as necessary to bringing in new members and helping signatory companies compete.

President Bowers also reminded delegates that the Master Contract provides safeguards for MILA, the union's national health care plan, which he characterized as "without equal," especially when compared to other unions whose health care plans are regularly stripped down to bare bones by employers.

Health care issues also were addressed by 2008 presidential hopeful Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), who spoke at the convention's opening session about his plan for a universal, single payer, not-for-profit health care system. Throughout his long history of public service, Congressman Kucinich has been an advocate for working men and women; in fact, he is a current member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States (IATSE).

Neither the ILA nor the ACD has endorsed presidential candidates at this early point in the election cycle, but the union's delegates were clearly pleased with Congressman Kucinich's remarks.

Other featured guest speakers included U.S. Congressmen Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and Donald Payne (D-NJ); various management and port executives; AFL-CIO representatives; and several other individuals providing services to the ACD and the ILA.

ILA South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District President Clyde Fitzgerald, ILA Great Lakes District Council President John D. Baker, and International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots Secretary-Treasurer Captain Glen P. Banks - all ILA Vice Presidents - updated ACD delegates on developments in their respective regions and divisions.

The convention culminated with the District general elections on Thursday, July 19. With unanimous consent, Mr. Bowers passed the ACD presidential torch to Stephen Knott, President of ILA Local 1 (Newark, NJ) and an ILA International Vice President.

ILA Safety Director Dennis Daggett, from Local 1804-1 (General Maintenance - NY, NJ), also was elected to a new leadership position as the ACD Secretary-Treasurer. Previously, that position was held by ILA Executive Vice President Richard P. Hughes, Jr.

ACD Vice Presidents Edward L. Brown, Sr., James K. Keleher, Vincent Cuozzo, Sam DuPress, William E. Yockey, Robert Gladden, Jr., Michael J. Vigneron, Joseph Pollio, K. Owen Boyle, John Shade, Bernard O'Donnell, Patrick Murphy, Glen P. Banks and James Stolpinski were all reelected to their positions.

Samuel Paone, John Healy and John Baker, Jr. were elected to their first full terms as ACD Vice Presidents after being appointed to complete unexpired terms earlier this year.

ILA Representative Angel Felipe Garcia of Carolina, Puerto Rico is the sole newly elected ACD Vice President.

Many of the delegates will remain in Hollywood to participate in the ILA's international convention next week.

On Sunday, July 22, the ILA will host the "Chuck Connors" Hole in the Wall Gang Camp golf tournament to benefit the union's charity of choice. Mr. Connors, whose years of service to the ILA span more than half of a century during which he has been a loyal and dedicated ILA member and friend, will be in attendance.