grassroots movement to take on the corruption in Washington and change the structure of our economy to deal with big, international corporations that aren’t loyal to workers or this country, and have too much power,” she said.
Wealth tax on richest 1/10th of 1%
“I also say that it’s time for a wealth tax on the richest 1/10th of one-percent of people who can afford to pay 2 cents on every dollar that would generate enough money for universal childcare for infants through age 6; enough for universal Pre-K schools for every 3 and 4-year old; enough to raise wages for every childcare and pre-K worker in this country; enough to pay for trade schools, technical schools and public college tuition – and enough left over to cancel student loan debt for about 95% of kids. We could also provide more support for historically Black colleges – and still have $100 billion left to help fight the opioid drug crisis that’s killing thousands of our brothers and sisters out there.”
Wide-ranging support
Warren says her wealth tax is both necessary and practical because it has support from people across political lines with Democrats, Independents and Republicans all backing her wealth tax proposal.
“I’m not somebody who backs down,” she said as she concluded her remarks.
“The way I see it, you don’t get what you don’t fight for. And I’m in this fight because I believe we can build a better America if we do.”
Warren answers questions
Asked whether her message appeals to a broad enough audience to win next November, Warren responded that she’s visited 26 states plus Puerto Rico, including many where a majority supported Donald Trump. She cited a recent visit to the town of Kermit, West Virginia – a former Trump stronghold where 80% backed the President. The town’s population of only 302 is noto- rious because drug companies shipped 9 million opiate pills to one pharmacy there during a 24-month period. Warren said the audience at her Kermit town-hall included some who wore Trump shirts and hats, but many of them came over to her side after hearing how the wealth tax could help their community. She said her campaign is putting down strong roots in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan where she has hired a small army of field organizers and attracted a diverse group of supporters.
Future work and technology
President Adams asked Warren to share her ideas about the future of work in light of new technology and automation.
“I think the future of work is tied to the future of taxation because those taxes will determine where our society will make investments. Right now the system encourages investment in automation instead of people,” she said. “The reason that happens is because the system today is controlled and corrupted by the wealthy and powerful, instead of serving the majority of Americans,” a problem she sees at the root cause of many conflicts in America.
Bernie comes roaring back
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders was the next to appear and opened by warmly thanking the ILWU for endorsing him in 2016, when he won 23 states and 43% of delegates, including the key states of Wisconsin and Michigan, before conceding the race and supporting Hillary Clinton.
Subsidies for automation?
Board member Dan McKisson asked if Sanders would oppose the National Defense Authorization Act which contains a provision to fund automation on the docks with public dollars. Sanders quickly replied, “Yes, I’ll oppose that.”
President Willie Adams asked Sanders for more thoughts about the future of work and automation – noting that the issue hasn’t been addressed by most candidates. Sanders replied, “You’re absolutely right, this is a discussion that hasn’t taken place – it’s an explosion waiting to happen.” He then posed a series of questions. “Is it acceptable to come in and say, ‘Hey, we’ve got technology and we’re going to put half the people out on the street?’ No it’s not. Is it a bad idea if we use technology to replace a dirty, hard job and we’re going to cut your hours in half, and you are going to benefit from that technology? That’s not a bad idea. So the bottom line is that we can’t be anti-technology if it benefits workers – but we can be anti-technology if it throws workers out on the street. I am opposed to companies coming in and throwing workers out on the street with new technology. That is absolutely unacceptable. On the other hand, if I can cut ten hours from your work week, and you’re doing better, I don’t think that’s unacceptable. We have to make technology work for workers, not just the people who own the company.
Support for unions
“The middle class doesn’t grow in this country unless the trade union movement grows in this country,” said Sanders, adding that he recently unveiled a new plan to double the number of union members in America and pledged to be “the strongest pro-union President since Franklin Roosevelt, and maybe stronger.” His plan would allow workers to join a union when a majority sign cards, without delays and interference from anti-union consultants. It would also require employ- ers to negotiate first contracts or face severe penalties, and he would outlaw “right-to-work-for less” laws.
Concluding remarks
The Senator concluded with words of wisdom from Nelson Mandela, who said, “Everything always seems impossible until it is done.” Sanders said it is important to recognize that “the system wants you to believe that anything you or I support can’t be done. The system wants us to think tiny and little, but think about history. Slavery was ‘natural’ until enough people stood up and said it was barbaric. One hundred years ago, women did not have the right to vote. Gay people have always been told they had no right to love who they want. Workers were told that they couldn’t come together to collectively bargain for better conditions. Everything is wrong and crazy until people stand up and fight for it.”
Kamala Harris
The California Senator said she was honored to be with ILWU members, recalling her first run for District Attorney in San Francisco was supported by longtime ILWU leaders Leroy King and Fred Pecker. She said she remains eternally grateful to both men who have passed-on. She added, “every election I have fought and won has been with labor and the ILWU. We’ve stood together in many battles for workers’ rights, collective bargaining and the dignity of labor. I give all thanks and praise for the work you do every day to secure decent working conditions and address the new challenges involving automation. I’m here today to listen as much as I am to talk, but I would be honored to have your support and look forward to hearing your comments.” She concluded her opening remarks with what she calls “my 3 am agenda.”
Concerns that worry us at night
“My campaign is based on the kind of issues that wake people up in the middle of the night. The vast majority of Americans are worried about many of the same issues that aren’t being addressed. They worry about healthcare for themselves and their family members; they worry about getting and keeping a good job; they worry about being able to retire with dignity and whether they can afford expensive prescription drugs. Students worry about paying-off their student loans. These are the things that keep people up in the middle of the night and these are my priorities in this election.
Help for unions
Board member and Local 63-Office Clerical Unit President John Fageaux asked what Harris would do to stem the decline of unions. She began by acknowledging that “labor is under attack and workers are losing ground,” then provided some specifics. “The Secretary of Labor should be someone who supports workers,” she said, referring to President Trump’s recent appointment of Eugene Scalia who is anti-union. She also expressed her opposition to “right-to-work-for less” laws that have been enacted in 27 states. On a personal note, she added, “I’ve walked on picket lines with the ILWU and other union members.”
Homelessness
Board member Dustin Dawson from Local 142 Longshore asked Harris what could be done about homelessness. She cited the nationwide housing shortage in 99% of U.S. counties where minimum wage workers cannot afford the rent. The Great Recession in 2008 triggered a foreclosure crisis that added to the problem. The lack of affordable health care and mental health services are also factors that would be addressed with her Medicare for All plan.
Subsidies for port automation
Board member Dan McKisson from Local 19 asked Harris if she would sup- port banning federal tax dollars from being used to subsidize the automation of ports. She expressed support for a study on the issue and said analysis should be done by neutral parties.
The future of work and automation
President Willie Adams asked why more candidates aren’t talking about automation and the future of work – and he asked Harris for her views. She replied that the issue requires “a leader who will bring everyone together for an honest conversation about the consequences of automation, including jobs, productivity and who will benefit and who will lose. I admire innovation, but don’t think it should cost whole populations of peo- ple to lose employment. There’s a lot of information, and a lot of misinformation about the benefits – whether it’s job creation or the destruction of jobs, so these have to be honest conversations and they require an honest broker, and I intend to be that honest broker.”
To read this article in its entirety, please visit ilwu.org/the-dispatcher-newspaper/current-issue/.