International Longshoremen's Association Local 1588

To show support for ILA bargaining demands and to strengthen solidarity between ILA members in advance of Master Contract negotiations, Local 1588 will send a delegation of members to major East Coast ports in advance of the first meeting between Wage Scale Delegates and Employers in February. The group will travel from New Jersey to Orlando in the week leading up to the first meeting with the employers on February 9. The delegation will meet with ILA members in ports along the way.

The Local will cover lodging, transportation, food, and provide a per diem of $125 per day for seven days.

If you are committed to fighting for a good contract, building unity and strengthening ties between Longshoremen and would like to be part of the delegation, call in or send an email to Local 1588 by Wednesday, January 28.

Preference will be given to members of the Contract Committee (those who participated in the Contract proposals and mobilization meetings) and to members who have participated in other Local 1588 activities.

For more information, contact the Local.

1588 delegates continued to advocate for our demands. (See below for a brief statements from your delegates.)

The proposals to end the wage and royalty tiers were adopted by the committee. Most of 1588's jurisdiction proposals were adopted by the general body as well as the jurisdiction proposals brought by the maintenance and checker crafts. The body also approved a proposal to eliminate the grievance procedure and reintroduce the right to strike. 1588 safety proposals were submitted to the Safety sub committee.

Tony, Virgil, Anthony, Ken Riley (President Charleston L. 1422), and Johnnie

The body elected a six person sub-committee to meet with management along with the officers, however 1588's delegate did not get elected. The delegates elected are Eddie Macbride Savannah, Robert Smith III Norfolk, Robert Lafferty Philadelphia, Herbie Hall Newark, Romia Johnson, Jacksonville, and Kenny Crier, New Orleans.
Virgil Herman

The ILA incorporated many of 1588's master contract proposals into a document that will be referred to the entire wage scale delegate body for approval.

In the Longshore caucus meeting, 1588 delegates took to the mic to explain the 1588 proposals. Many of these were approved by the other delegates. The caucus also voted to reject some proposals including returning to a national GAI, establishing national stop work meetings and incorporating cruise language into the national contract.

There are subcommittee meetings for MILA & Pension, Safety, Training & Drug and Alcohol program, checkers, maintenance and longshore.

There will also be voting to elect members to the six person committee that will meet with employers, three from the South and three from the North.

Tomorrow the delegates will vote on the final proposals and elect the committees.

Meanwhile, MSC a large USMX carrier, has sent a letter to the ILA demanding temporary givebacks in many ports where they operate, including New York/New Jersey.

There was an overall consensus that if the employers propose concessions and progress can't be made on ILA demands then negotiations should be postponed.

1588 wage scale delegates Anthony Falcicchio, Tony Perlstein, Herman Garcia, Virgil Maldonado, and Johnnie Taylor used Monday, the travel day, to discuss bargaining demands and strategy with delegates from other locals, including from Houston, Mobile, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Savannah, Charleston, Tampa, Delaware .

Delegates shared 1588's view that the current economic climate is not the most favorable in which to negotiate to roll back concessions and improve the lives of longshoremen and our families. Delegates agreed that the ILA will need a strong rank-and-file mobilization to end the wage and royalty tiers, improve safety and stop the growth of non-union work.

Delegates agreed to coordinate strategy and to pursue procedural measures that would require approval of the entire delegate body before a negotiating demand is removed or modified during negotiations.

Today, Tuesday, January 6 delegates will review the demands of other locals. 1588 delegates will send daily updates to this web site.

Photos from the 2008 Holiday Extravaganza. More to come soon. If you have your own photos of the party that you'd like up on the site, please email them along. Uncropped, high-res originals available on request.
Pietro
Jerome and Denise
Amparo and Diego
Giovanni

See more holiday party photos.