International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO 52nd Quadrennial Convention

Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Due to a massive water main break that interrupted all water service to the Westin Diplomat, ILA's convention site, today's general session was postponed and abbreviated.

The ILA Executive Committee made the difficult decision to cancel the morning session and all speakers, as they were concerned for the welfare of ILA guests and delegates in Florida's sweltering heat.

Eventually, the staff of the Diplomat managed to provide air conditioning for the convention hall and following lunch, the general session reconvened briefly to hear committee reports.

Seafarers International Union of North America (SIU) President Michael Sacco also delivered remarks.

President Sacco praised ILA President John Bowers for bringing stability to the waterfront when it needed it the most and lauded him as a great friend to all of maritime labor.

"God bless the ILA," said President Sacco, noting that he is a former member of a New York local. "They put food on our table and gave us a job when we needed on."

President Sacco touched on issues of mutual concern to the two maritime unions, including Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), underscoring the pointlessness of our government triple checking its own people instead focusing on foreign labor.

He also urged delegates to undertake concerted, grass roots political action to elect government officials who will represent the maritime unions' best interests.

He closed his remarks with a call for solidarity between the SIU and ILA, pointing to our common interest of keeping the waterfront safe and productive for union stevedores, union mariners and union employers.

Guests and delegates will be treated to a B.B. King concert tonight at the Hard Rock Live, and a special family-style picnic has been arranged for those not attending the concert.

Regular general sessions and speakers are expected to resume tomorrow morning.