Next week the rank-and-file in several PNW ILWU Locals will be asked to ratify the first agreement since 1934 that eliminates the language in their labor agreement that states the men “shall be free to select their jobs”.
The complete control of the hiring process is now in the hands of the Employers who will “call the hall” and order who ever they want off “the list”.
The right of longshoremen to “select” their jobs from the orders placed at the dispatch hall, that they have 50% control of, will be given to the Grain Employers who will now be free to select who they want, just like they did under the shape up system that led to the Strike of 1934.
Last night, at the Union meeting in Tacoma, Roger Boespflug, lead Grain negotiator, did little to explain the tentative agreement. He could not answer why Local 23 was not listed as a signatory on the document he was distributing.
How does the ILWU plan to explain to PMA that they now allow the Grain Employers to hire who ever they want off “the list”, but they want PMA to continue letting the men select their jobs?
Seems to me that the only way the rank-and-file can hope to hold on to their dispatch hall, and their right to select their jobs, is to vote no on the tentative agreement and send a message to Big Bob that they do not agree to give up the Dispatch Hall.
The only reason the Dispatch Hall exists is so longshoremen can go there to “select their jobs”.
No job selection = No dispatch hall.
Remember Bloody Thursday. Vote NO.