ILWU Helps Their Members By Protesting Iraq War

Back in April, your friendly blogger used his space in COMMERCE Magazine to point out some of the subtle flaws in the poorly-titled Employee Free Choice Act. You know, things like eliminating the secret ballot from a unionization drive. We opened by charging big labor has slowly morphed from a labor movement into a political one. An allegation with more than a hint of substance, to say the least.

If you need further evidence, you'll get it on May 1 when The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) goes on strike to protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has announced a one-day strike against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, calling for a “No Peace No Work Holiday” to take place May 1. They are calling on the AFL-CIO, the Change to Win Coalition, and other unions to do the same. This is a major development for both the labor movement and antiwar movement in the U.S.

The call was first put forward by ILWU Local 10 at a recent West Coast Caucus and was resisted by the ILWU’s top leadership. But rank-and-file support for the call to action pushed it through, with only 3 out of 100 delegates voting against it.

And if you do not agree with the union's position or if you think the wars have little or nothing to do with ILWU's mission? You're short one day's pay, thanks to the union that is supposed to advocate for you.

Hat tip to the NAM and Shopfloor.org.