of British seafarers and the need for their own version of America’s Jones Act, the US law that protects domestic shipping industry.
He said the number of British seafarers will continue to decline through attrition and added that the threat of automated ships could reduce the number of seafarers even further.
Organizing victories
ILWU Vice President (Mainland) Ray Familathe delivered his part of the Officers Report that featured a rundown of ILWU organizing campaigns on the Mainland. Familathe began by taking a moment to recognize two groups of workers who are organizing new unions in their workplaces. He first asked Katy Bradley and Felicia Arguello to stand and be recognized; both are veterinary technicians who work at VCA’s animal hospital in San Francisco. Arguello and Bradley were part of the successful organizing effort at their hospital which began in November of 2017, when a group of 96 veterinary assistants, techs, customer service representatives and aides formed their new union with help from the ILWU. The workers voted overwhelmingly (winning by a margin of 3 to 1) to be rep represented by the ILWU.
Arguello and Bradley were joined by Joe McCray, Bradley’s grandfather, who worked as an assistant to ILWU International President Harry Bridges during the 1960s and 1970s.
“I am really overwhelmed by the welcome and camaraderie that we’ve received here,” said Bradley. “We have been watching the delegates debate and discuss issues in a democratic way that has been really inspiring. I’m excited for our future in the ILWU.”
Familathe also introduced several newly organized superintendents from Southern California. That organizing drive came on the heels of a successful superintendent organizing campaign in Hawaii. Familathe reminded delegates about the many challenges facing workers who try to exercise their collective bargaining rights. Superintendents, for example, had to endure days of grueling testimony in front of officials from the National Labor Relations Board and employer lawyers. Veterinary workers had to overcome a team of anti-union consultants hired by VCA to undermine the union organizing effort.
Local 63 Superintendent Kelly Dondero thanked Vice President Familathe and Local 63 President Joe Gasperov. “A lot of people risked their families and put it all on the line to be a part of the ILWU,” Dondero said. “We are happy, grateful and proud to be a part of the ILWU.”
Pensioners & Auxiliary
On the final day of the convention, delegates heard from Pacific Coast Pensioner Association (PCPA) President Greg Mitre, followed by Auxiliary President Ida Taylor. Mitre said PCPA is actively engaged in supporting the ILWU, wherever and whenever they are called upon. He described the recent growth of Pensioners clubs, including a new chapter in Alaska and efforts to start a Pensioners Club in Panama, which Mitre hopes will be in place by the 2021 Convention. Mitre delivered his speech that included images of pensioner leaders who have passed since the last convention.
He said, “one of the toughest things about being a pensioner is that we often have to say goodbye to our friends. Since the last convention in Hawaii, we have lost some real icons in the ILWU, including Cleophas Williams and George Cobbs Jr. from the SF Bay Area, and Lou Loveridge from Southern California, to name just a few,” said Mitre.
“Pensioners are grateful,” Mitre said, “for all the support we’ve received from active members and officers throughout the years. We are unique when it comes to retirees and staying involved in the fight. The ILWU and its pensioners are unlike any union, and I’ve seen that difference on many occasions while traveling around the world,” concluded Mitre.
Auxiliary President Ida Taylor thanked ILWU officers and delegates for hosting the convention, and explained that she considered it an honor to serve as leader of the Auxiliaries during the past three years. She emphasized the good community work being done by Auxiliary members at local political meetings, ILWU District Council meetings, voter registration drives and other efforts to help support the work of the ILWU. She noted that Auxiliaries members are providing food for local food banks, clothing and back packs for children, hosting Blood Drives, and volunteering at community health fairs. She concluded by reminding delegates that Auxiliaries have long supported all manner of community charities, especially women’s shelters.
After Taylor’s speech, members of Auxiliary 5, Portland, conducted a raffle for prizes that included a beautiful quilt assembled by Auxiliary volunteers up and down the coast. The money raised from the quilt will help fund the work by the Auxiliaries to support the ILWU.
Sergeants-at-arms: Local 5 members were appointed the Sergeants-at-Arms for the convention’s first day. From left to right are Helen Fedchak, Carole Reichstein, Britney Taylor, Carina Gonzalez, Suzanne Griffonwyd, Tove Holmberg and Gillian Moreno.
President Emeritus McEllrath
President McEllrath was honored at the end of the convention with a surprise resolution that bestowed him with the title of “President Emeritus,” a title also granted to former Presidents Harry Bridges, Jimmy Herman and James Spinosa. “While it is not possible to express in words our heartfelt appreciation for Bob, this 37th International Convention of the ILWU wishes to recognize his dedication and service to the ILWU by bestowing upon President Robert McEllrath the title of ‘President Emeritus,’” the resolution stated.
Scores of delegates rose to support the motion and share stories about McEllrath and the important struggles he led as ILWU President. Local 94 President Danny Miranda noted the many sacrifices that McEllrath has made for the ILWU, including time away from his family and even going to jail for blocking a train during the Pacific Northwest grain fight.
“I’ll stand up every time for what is right and go to jail for this union and the workers I represent,” Miranda recalled McEllrath saying in court during his sentencing.
Local 142 member Dustin Dawson recalled a conversation he had with Bob that took place early in his career. “If you want to go far in this industry keep your hands in your pockets,” Dawson recalled Bob saying. “Learn to use your brain, not your fists.”
After speakers saluting the resolution for nearly an hour, it passed unanimously.
Officers nominated
The process of nominating candidates for International office was next on the agenda, and the process was lengthy. The nominees for International President are Ray Familathe and Willie Adams; the nominees for International Vice President (Mainland) are Bobby Olvera, Jr. and Michael Podue; the candidates for International Vice President (Hawaii) are Wesley Furtado and George Martin; the candidates for International Secretary-Treasurer are Peter Ciaramitaro and Ed Ferris. Candidates were also nominated for the International Executive Board (IEB).
The current IEB’s recommendations for Balloting Committee and Elections Procedures Committee members were approved by delegates. All candidates will appear on a ballot being mailed to members on July 29th.
Final words
As the convention drew to a close, McEllrath rose to stand at the podium one last time as International President.
He thanked the Columbia River Host Committee for their hard work to plan a successful convention, then acknowledged the International Union staff and thanked them for their hard work that helped make the convention a success.
But he saved his final and most important thanks for the membership, “for putting your faith in me and electing me to serve as your International President for 12 years.”
“I tried to make to this union just a little bit better than when I started,’ he said. “And I hope I did that,” as he banged the gavel on the podium and formally adjourned the ILWU’s the 37th Convention.
The next convention will be in San Francisco in 2021.
C-1 Convention Host Committee Fund - requires that each month between Conventions, twenty-five cents ($0.25) will be deducted from each of the International Per Capita payments per member and allocated to the “Convention Host Committee Fund (CHCF);” caps the CHCF