[Marxism] ILWU press release

[Walter Lippmann]

http://www.ilwu.org/press/2008/upload/ILWU_MayDayrls_FINAL.pdf

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INTERNATIONAL
LONGSHORE &
WAREHOUSE UNION
AFL-CIO

ROBERT McELLRATH JOSEPH R. RADISICH WESLEY FURTADO
WILLIAM E. ADAMS
President Vice President Vice President
Secretary-Treasurer

For immediate release: May 1, 2008
Contact: Craig Merrilees 510-774-5325

Jennifer Sargent: 503-703-2933
John Showalter:
415-775-0533, ext 139

Longshore workers are standing down
at West Coast ports:

"We're standing up for America, we're supporting the
troops, and we're telling politicians that it's time
to end the Iraq war now!"

More than 25,000 longshore workers at 29 west coast
ports are exercising their First Amendment rights
today by taking a day off work and calling for an end
to the war in Iraq.

"Longshore workers are standing-down on the job and
standing up for America," said ILWU International
President Bob McEllrath. "We're supporting the troops
and telling politicians in Washington that it's time
to end the war in Iraq."

McEllrath says rank-and-file members made their own
democratic decision in early February when Longshore
Caucus delegates voted to take action on May 1.
Employers were notified of the plan, but refused to
accommodate the union's request despite plenty of
advance notice. The employer group, represented by
the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) consists of
large carriers and port operators, most of which are
foreign-owned.

"Big foreign corporations that control global
shipping aren't loyal or accountable to any country,"
said McEllrath. "For them it's all about making money.
But longshore workers are different. We're loyal to
America, and we won't stand by while our country, our
troops, and our economy are destroyed by a war that's
bankrupting us to the tune of 3-trillion dollars. It's
time to stand up, and we're doing our part today."

-30-
 

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     WALTER LIPPMANN
     Los Angeles, California
     Editor-in-Chief, CubaNews
     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews/
     "Cuba - Un Paraíso bajo el bloqueo"
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