Canada and the USA are participating in an international show of solidarity on Saturday, April 2nd at 2:00pm. Events will be held at Peace Arch Provincial Park for Canada and at Peace Arch State Park for the USA. This will give unions across boarders the ability to stand together in solidarity with workers who are struggling to keep their right to collectively bargain. Click on the link below to view the flyer.
Archive for March, 2011
Solidarity for Japanese Workers
Posted: March 14, 2011 in UncategorizedTags: foreign ports, ILWU Canada, ITF, Japan, longshore, solidarity, tsunami
Frank Leys, Secretay for the Docker’s Section of the ITF sent this email with news about our Brothers and Sisters in Japan. As we are all aware of the terrible events that have transpired there recently it is good to hear some hopeful news about the condition of our fellow workers. Read the email from Frank Leys below, and click on the link at the end to view the solidarity webpage.
“Dear Brothers and Sisters,
You will all be aware of what happened on Friday in Japan. Our thoughts are with the Japanese Workers.
The General Secretary sent a message to all Japanese affiliates which now can be found on the website of Zekowan. This is a PDF link of the ITF message in Japanese from Zenkowan’s homepage. That means our message was translated and distributed by the ITF office to our affiliates.
We have send a letter of sympathy with our Japanese brothers and sister to Brother Itoya and to Brother Wadenabe on behalf of the Section Chair, the Section and all the dockers of the world.
The latest information we have on ports in Japan is:
Hachinohe Port (Reports from Hachinohe Branches at 07h43 and 11h30 on 13 March) All branch members are in safety. A part of the company’s building caught fire. About half of the containers from the yard is swept away. The gantry crane looks ok. Half of the seawall/breakwater is destroyed.
Miyako Port (Report from the Miyako Branch at 08h05 on 13 March) Most of the branch members are in safety but some people can not be contacted until now.
Both the company and union offices have been swept away by tsunami. Most part of the seawall/breakwater is sunk under water.
Shiogama Sendai Port (Report from the Shiogama Sendai Branch at 13h00 on 12 March) Still chasing the members to confirm their safety. Unable to contact the office via phone or internet. The wharf is annihilated and containers are scattered in the container yard.
Onahama Port (Report from the Onahama Branch at 21h00 on 12 March) Still chasing the members to confirm their safety. A report from the government indicates that there was no human casualties at the port. Can not confirm the damages made to the port as nobody can access to the port. Can not use mobile phones or internet to communicate. The union office was flooded but is not destroyed.
Hitachi Hitachinaka Port (Report from the Branch on 12 March) All branch members are in safety. The wharf is annihilated. Export cars have caught fire.
Kashima Port (Report from the Branch at 10h00 on 13 March) All branch members are in safety. The company headquarters is swept away. Many containers were wiped into the sea.
Kushiro Port (Report from the Branch at 08h45 on 13 March) All branch members are in safety. Some warehouses were flooded by the tsunami. Short-circuits are reported on machines. Timbers have been swept to the bay.
Tomakomai Port (Report from the Branch at 14h00 on 13 March) All branch members are in safety. Still investigating the damages to the port facilities. Timbers, drums, buoys have been swept to the bay.
We will keep you updated when we get more up to date information,
The ITF has also a solidarity web page http://www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/japan.cfm
Regards,
Frank Leys”
ILWU Rocked The Yale!
Posted: March 9, 2011 in UncategorizedTags: Blues, Dave Little, Dave Myles, Gary Serafini, ILWU Canada, Incognito, Joe Francisco, Johnny Demarco, Kenny G., longshore, Music, Paul Wright, Richard Matte, Rob G., Rob Visser, Rock, Shady Mae, Sneaky Pete, The Yale, Vancouver
February 24th marked the night that the ILWU gathered the musical talents of our Brothers and Sisters for a Jam Night @ The Yale! All proceeds from the night are being put towards an upcoming youth conference. Together with a great venue, raffles and prizes, the bands rocked a full house to the very end of the night! There were 12 bands slated to take stage:
- Sneaky Pete
- Rob Visser
- Paul Wright
- Gary Serafini, Dave Myles
- Dave Little
- Shady Mae
- Johnny Demarco
- Rob G. – “The Great Escape”
- Incognito
- Richard Matte – “Test Drive”
- Joe Francisco
- Kenny G. – “Rockface”
Those who attended were not disappointed as the sound of gritty blues and rock hard solos vibrated throughout the century old Yale. A most pleasant surprise were the voices and instrumentation of our fellow longshore Brothers and Sisters, exhibiting the many diverse talents that make up our Union. In particular, Shady Mae, headed by our very own ILWU Canada Vice President At-Large, Mandy Chan!
Thank you to everyone who participated in this event!
For photos of the Jam Night click HERE!
Members from Locals 500, 502, 505, 508 and 514 participated in this year’s ILWU Leadership Training Course from February 13 – 18 in Harrison Hot Springs.
The participants learned about leadership and the different styles, traits and characteristics that aid in the development process. They were also educated on upholding our union’s constitution, the importance of political action, ethics in leadership positions, strategic communication, public speaking and vital history about our union from past and present union leaders. Our guest speakers for the round table portion of the course were Frank Kennedy, Dave Lomas, and from the International, Secretary Treasurer, Willie Adams. It was a pleasure having these three leaders come to talk to the class, providing the students with an opportunity to ask questions and gain priceless insight in an open forum. Group activities, discussion sessions and educational videos were also used to solidify the leadership lessons and inject a little fun into the five day long course.
The CLC also had team building activities for each class at the Winter School to participate in such as Choir, the “Winter Games” and a Class Representative role to keep everyone informed. Educational seminars were also held, one of which focused on political action initiatives.
Winter School is a fabulous event that the ILWU Canada is proud to be a part of. Through team building, labour education and a fantastic venue it is safe to say that everyone was able to initiate meaningful friendships as well as absorb a wealth of knowledge to take back to their union.
The ILWU Canada thanks those who were involved in this course for its first appearance at the CLC Winter School, and looks forward to putting it on in the future.
Special thanks goes out to Mike Isinger, who took the time to drop into our class for a few photos throughout the week. His pictures are available through the link below. The link will also be available under the Pictures & Videos tab, labeled “2011 ILWU Canada Leadership Training Course”.
2011 ILWU Canada Leadership Training Course Photos – Mike Isinger
Tomorrow, March 8th, is International Women’s Day! In celebration of and to honor this day there are a multitude of events happening all over the Lower Mainland. Click on the link below for a list of events and places of interest!
International Women’s Day 2011 Schedule of Events
Come out and get involved with your community while supporting women’s rights, and the courageous women of our past, present and future!
