International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO 52nd Quadrennial Convention |
Monday, July 23, 2007
Following a spirited invocation and hymns from the reverend and choir of the Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, ILA President and Convention Chairman John Bowers delivered opening remarks. Keeping his remarks brief, he asked delegates to review and share his printed President's Report for a more detailed account of the International's major accomplishments during the years since the previous convention.
Touching on critical issues such as the Master Contract and the ongoing RICO lawsuit, President Bowers noted that the union is instituting powerful reforms and policy shifts to better serve its members.
President Bowers also mentioned the ILA's charitable works and donations, noting that the International donated $1 million and the ACD donated an additional $500,000 in aid following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita - all in addition to the amazing support ILA rank-and-file members provided their brethren along the Gulf Coast.
In closing his remarks, President Bowers officially announced that he will not seek reelection as the union's International President. Calling the ILA his "life and love," President Bowers pledged to stay involved with the union as much as possible in the coming years.
Following President Bowers' remarks, delegates heard from four members of the U.S. House of Representatives: Cong. Corinne Brown (D-FL), Cong. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Cong. Al Green (D-TX), and Cong. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI). In speech after rousing speech, these long-time friends of labor addressed the critical importance of labor participation in the political process.
"It matters who's in charge," said Congresswoman Brown. "We've had a change and it wouldn't have happened without your help…we're heading in the right direction."
Congressman Thompson, chairman of the powerful Homeland Security Committee, provided delegates with a firsthand update of the work he is doing on their behalf in his committee, in particular, on the issues of cargo screening and Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC).
Heralding 100% screening for all cargo coming to U.S. shores within the next five years, Congressman Thompson pointed out the irony of an Administration that says "it can't be done" when in fact, we have the technology to put a man on the moon!
He also called for nationwide adoption of a federal TWIC card with precedence over any local, municipal and state cards. Among other benefits, this would alleviate a financial burden on individual workers.
In his sermon-like remarks, Congressman Green explained what the newly raised national minimum wage will mean to the lowest legally-paid workers in the U.S. - the extra $4,400 per year can buy 15 months of groceries, 2 years of healthcare, 19 months of utilities, 20 months of child care, etc. ILA members are fortunate to enjoy a much higher salary than minimum wage, but they must be cognizant of how their brethren fare in the big picture of the American work force.
Cong. Green garnered a great round of applause when he demanded that the U.S. bring our troops home, pointing to the death and injury of many thousands of soldiers, as well as the financial burden of a war that costs our citizens $329 million per day: a sum which could be better used to hire 6.4 million public school teachers, build 3.3 million public housing units or insure 240 million children.
Touching on many of the same subjects of the preceding speakers, Cong. Abercrombie asked delegates to take a blood oath to get out the vote. Obviously aware of his considerable public speaking talents, he said of his own speech that it's "just entertainment" if it's not followed up with a vote and offered to go anywhere, meet with anyone to help people realize that every vote counts.
AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez Thompson, who has worked with President Bowers on the AFL-CIO Executive Council for a decade, also looked toward 2008 in her remarks.
"You can't go into 2008 and not feel a personal responsibility to deliver for our grandchildren," she said. "We have to have a veto-proof Congress so we can finally have an America that takes care of our kids and grandkids."
She asked delegates to log on to the AFL-CIO website in advance of the August 7 AFL-CIO Presidential Candidate Forum and to be sure to watch the debate live on MSNBC.
She also touched on the Employee Free Choice Act and affordable health care for all, indicating that that AFL-CIO will kick off a national campaign in Fall 2007 to reinforce support for the latter.
During the morning session, delegates also received a warm welcome from Hollywood City Commissioner Richard Blattner and Fort Lauderdale Mayor Josephus Eggelletion.
With special words of appreciation for ILA Locals 1526 and 1416, Mayor Eggelletion noted the importance of ILA ports to Broward County's economy; it is the second busiest cruise port in the world and the 12th busiest container port in the nation. 19,000 direct and indirect jobs are created by the port and more than 92% of them are union.
"Containerized cargo in my ports will always, only be unloaded by union labor," he said.
Daniel Reynolds of the Broward County AFL-CIO, Fred Frost of the South Florida AFL-CIO and Cindy Hall of the Florida State AFL-CIO rounded out the list of exceptional guest speakers during the morning session. Each detailed the specific challenges they and the union members they represent face in an overwhelmingly anti-union, right-to-work state. They also each shared tales of motivation, dedication and cooperation that contribute to their hard won successes.
Summing up the overall tone of the morning sessions, Ms. Hall reminded delegates that "You can't make change standing on the sidelines."
The day's afternoon session began with brief videotaped remarks by Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-SC), who could not attend the Convention in person because his Charleston, SC district is hosting a Democratic Presidential Candidates debate tonight. He echoed his esteemed colleagues' sentiments regarding the Employee Free Choice Act, raising the minimum wage, TWIC, universal health care and port security.
The remaining speakers of the day presented an international perspective on the status of dockworkers globally. International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) General Secretary David Cockroft lauded President Bowers' work as long-time Chairman of the ITF's Dockers' Section, observing that President Bowers's contributions to the organization were critical to its becoming a key player in global transportation issues.
"The only way to confront global employers is with a global union," said Mr. Cockroft, noting that international work cannot be an "extra" part of a union leader's job, but rather a vital element.
"We have to make employers realize that the ILA is part of a powerful global family," he said, pledging the ITF's continuing support for the ILA.
To further cement this strong network of world dockers, Mr. Cockroft asked the ILA to forge stronger bilateral connections with their counterparts worldwide, not just through the ITF.
The final speaker of the afternoon was Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary and ITF Dockers' Section Chair Paddy Crumlin. Mr. Crumlin reminded delegates of the longshoremen who founded the ILA and their Australian counterparts and their quest to "etch out a decent life from the granite of poverty."
In stark contrast, he pointed out, the ILA and their Australian brethren now hold incredibly powerful positions in their respective national economies.
Despite the fact that this power presents its own set of challenges, especially in the high-stakes world of global trade, he urged all members of the ITF to do more and rally harder for international dock workers who need international solidarity to survive.
Following Mr. Crumlin's remarks, the general session closed and delegates convened for committee meetings.