Click to download the original letter
Brother Cheuk-yan:
The ILWU Coast Longshore Division recently met in Caucus with 81 democratically elected delegates from 30 United States West Coast ports. At this Caucus, your strike in Hong Kong was thoroughly discussed, and it was unanimously agreed that the ILWU would do everything possible to ensure its success.
We too are under attack, including by Japanese owned grain exporters. In Vancouver, Washington (USA), Mitsui-United Grain has locked us out and replaced us with strikebreakers. A victory in Hong Kong will send a resounding message to all carriers and terminal operators worldwide that dockworkers cannot be moved and that dockworkers support each other first.
Our Caucus pledged $20,000 in your support, and we hope to do more. The donation will be wired to your account immediately.
In solidarity,
Robert McEllrath, International President
Ray Familathe, International Vice President – Mainland
Ray Ortiz, Jr., Coast Committeeman
Leal Sundet, Coast Committeeman
Those wishing to donate to the Union of Hong Kong’s strike fund, which directly supports families as well as purchases campaign materials, can download this Strike Donation Form provided by the Union of Hong Kong Dockers. It can be faxed or emailed to Hong Kong per the instructions on the form.