Vol. 80/No. 30      August 15, 2016

 

—ON THE PICKET LINE—

Maggie Trowe, Editor

International Longshoremen’s Association Facebook
Members of International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1588 in Bayonne, New Jersey, take part in July 7 international dockers day of action and one-hour work stoppage.
 

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This column gives a voice to those engaged in battle and building solidarity today — including unionists striking US Foods, workers locked out by Honeywell and construction workers demanding safe conditions. I invite those involved in workers’ battles to contact me at 306 W. 37th St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018; or (212) 244-4899; or themilitant@mac.com. We’ll work together to ensure your story is told.

— Maggie Trowe

 
 
 

Dockworkers in 150 countries carry out 1-hour work stoppage

KEARNY, N.J. — While campaigning door to door for the Socialist Workers Party here I met two members of the International Longshoremen’s Association who work at the port of Newark. Both told me of participating in a one-hour stop-work meeting July 7. The action took place from 8 to 9 a.m. local time at ports throughout the world. Port workers up and down the East and West coasts of North America, on the Gulf Coast and the Great Lakes participated. Workers in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand stood down as well.

“Dockers make an important contribution to the global economy,” the call for the actions stated. “We work in an environment full of huge safety risks around the clock, but our biggest threat comes from our employers and governments who consistently launch wave after wave of attacks upon our pay, job security and working terms and conditions. … Together we can win.”

The action was called by the International Dockworkers Council, the International Transport Workers’ Federation and European Transport Workers’ Federation. In a press release the following day, Jordi Aragunde, general coordinator of the International Dockworkers Council, announced that 150 countries had been impacted by the strike.

— Candace Wagner

 
 
 
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