Bush is attempting to bust the most powerful radical union in America, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). They've done numerous solidarity actions for environmental, labor & human rights groups & they need our support on the West Coast.
**URGENT** ACTION MONDAY-- Support Workers Rights
Dear Friends, Solidarity actions are needed this monday the 12th to support the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU). As you may know, the ILWU Longshore loads and unloads cargo at US ports, and is one of the country's strongest, most radical unions. Their past actions have shown a great deal of solidarity for a variety of struggles, including refusing to unload toxic waste in Seattle, shutting down all of the ports on the west coast to protest the WTO, and shutting down the ports for Mumia. In the movement for global justice, the ILWU is one of the most powerful anti-corporate players.
The Bush administration has formed a secret White House Task Force to consider federal intervention in West Coast longshore negotiations. They're considering bringing in the military to operate our ports. Administration sources say they may "preempt any action" by the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU), using the National Guard to operate the docks until the union is forced to agree to contract terms. The Bush administration and the employers are trying to exploit concerns about national security and a fragile economy. They want to use these concerns as an excuse to attack one of the nation's strongest and most progressive unions.
Major retailers like Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Best Buy have formed the "West Coast Waterfront Coalition" to get federal interference in contract negotiations for the west coast ILWU. This "coalition" has gotten the federal government to threaten to have federal troops take over all west coast docks to force the workers to accept management's demands. The ILWU has been there for the community; now we need to return that support.
This monday, while a massive rally will take place in Seattle in support of the ILWU's right to fair labor negotiations, people are needed all over the west coast to visit your local Home Depot, Target, etc. and deliver this same message to consumers and to the media. Tell Home Depot to get out of the West Coast Waterfront Coaliton! NO FEDERAL INTERFERENCE IN ILWU NEGOTIATIONS! These actions can take any form, so be creative!
Even a simple banner drop or leafletting with a few friends will help get the word out! A sample flyer to distribute at Home Depot is attached to this email. **** LA FOLKS -- There will definitely be an action either in LA or just east of the city on monday. There will be a planning meeting at 5pm (saturday) the 10th in Pomona at the Regenerative Co-op; if you can't make this meeting, but would like to attend the action, please call (909)398-1984. To get to the co-op from downtown LA, take the 10 fwy E and exit on Garey Ave. in Pomona. Go S on Garey past a couple lights, then take a left on Alvarado. Go one block; the house will be the last one on the right, on the corner of Alvarado and Bradford (phone # 909.469.5100). Hope to see you there! Hasta la Victoria, Abigail Singer abigaisinger@justice.com
Original: ACTION ALERT: Bush trying to smash ILWU, the most powerful radical union in America