San Francisco Port Workers Shutting Down Docks To Protest War!

Defending labor's right to protest the war
Jack Heyman
Jack Heyman is a longshoreman who was a union official(International Longshore and Warehouse Union) when he was arrested during the 2003 anti-war demonstration at the Port of Oakland.


San Francisco Chronicle
March 16, 2005

There's a rising tide of workers' anger against the war in Iraq and the cuts in government programs to pay for it -- in enforcement of worker- safety laws, health care, Social Security, education and jobs. The recent victory of the nurses' union over Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's attempt to deny adequate staffing ratios in hospitals shows that labor can turn the tide.

The local International Longshore and Warehouse Union will protest the war in Iraq and the deadly cuts it has forced by holding a stop-work meeting, shutting down all Bay Area ports on Saturday, the second anniversary of the Iraq war. It will then lead the labor contingent in the anti-war march in San Francisco under its banner, "An injury to one is an injury to all."

The ILWU has a proud history of defending workers' rights, civil rights and civil liberties. Repressive legislation like the Patriot Act and Transportation Security Act shackle everyone by gutting the Bill of Rights. A waterfront saying is "If you don't know your rights, you don't have any. And if you don't use 'em, you lose 'em." The ILWU has always led by example.


Despite adversity posed by employers and the government, the ILWU has persevered in the struggle for justice for all workers. On Saturday, longshore workers are encouraging others to follow their lead in protesting the war and occupation and in defense of civil rights and social gains.

Please read the entire statement at:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/03/16/EDGBPBPDO61.DTL


What: Labor rally against the war in Iraq

When: 10:30 a.m. rally; noon march, Saturday, March 19

Where: Dolores Park at 18th and Dolores streets, San Francisco; then march to rally at Civic Center.

More information: (415) 440-4809; uslaw@igc.org

:kick:

I hope it spreads like wildfire among other unions.

If ever they need me I'm there .

This is one tough union with a long history.

Hit 'em where it hurts, boys! Shut down the empire for the day!

Workers of the US unite!!:)

on the Brooklyn Waterfront back in the 40s through 60s. Go, give 'em hell, guys. If ANYBODY can do it, you sure can.

:)

:nuke:

After the 19th of March I suggest that fedup citizens tired of corrupt government must take action to change the status quo.

Go Union!!!!

Boycotts are good but massive civil disobedience is a must. Goverment shutdown, corporate media action, pickets, demonstrations, etc.

Don't forget March 19 protest to bring our soldiers home and end the illegal war in Iraq!

Here's the best website on the internet to get information on what is happening in the labor movement to protest the Iraq war.

U.S. Labor Against The War

http://www.uslaboragainstwar.org/

Check it out. You might want to make it one of your "favorites".
I did.

Shut down the shipping!!

That'll get the bastard's attention in this misadministration!

And they won't be able to pull a bullshit Reaganesque "Yer all fired" either!!

GO LONGSHOREMAN!! STAY ON STRIKE FOR A YEAR IF YOU HAVE TO!!

It won't be for a year but it can be a powerful "demonstration" work stoppage.

in Vietnam Era... Now I'm stoked. I thought no one else would be allowed to show up BUT the peace marchers for Iraqi invasion anniversary.

Wooooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooo Looks like a serious march is taking shape then.

:bounce:.... :bounce:..... :bounce:....... :bounce:

Let's see if we can get total labour solidarity and get all the unions involved in the fight!

Good for them!

:thumbsup:

people in the Bay Area can't take ferryboats to the demonstration (as they usually do).

to load the passengers.

Whenever the longshoremen picket, they do so in front of the San Francisco Ferry Building at the Port of San Francisco.

:nuke:

This warms my heart.

:bounce:

to help:

:kick:

:yourock:

:bounce:

:yourock:

Power to the people!!

Fantastic...someone with guts! :toast:

Anyone hear whats going on???

My father was in the ILWU in the '30s. Fought the company goons in the streets.

unionized labor at it's finest!

:thumbsup:

But it will not be televised.
It will, however, be blogged.

Thanks for posting this info!