Earlier this month, Reporter Glenn Farley from King 5 News in Seattle spoke with Local 19 members about increased work on the docks:
A year ago on the waterfront, jobs were down, even for the most senior members of the union, so called “A” men. In other words hours worked were down. For casual workers, people who usually have another means of support but look to the union to pick up extra work loading and unloading ships, work was down a lot.
This year at the Port of Seattle, things are up. Way up. Matt Ventoza is president of ILWU Local 19.
“Through August … the minimum is about 14,856. Those are total jobs that have come through our hall,” said Ventoza.