Denver City Councilman Paul Lopez met a delegation of ILA supporters outside in 28-degree weather recently and stated, “It’s a cold day and a cold night but this is an action of solidarity. We are here because what Del Monte is doing is undermining the fundamental pillars of the work force in America. They are taking us back to the 1920s. … I personally will boycott Del Monte products until this issue is resolved.”
The delegation was part of a Nov. 22 National Day of Action called by the Friends and Families of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1291 in response to the Del Monte Fresh Produce cut of over 200 union jobs at the Port of Philadelphia. The corporation did this after demanding and getting over $5 million dollars in wage and other benefit concessions from the local union.
“In Philadelphia this morning, hundreds came out in the streets and blocked traffic including the 3-year old daughter of one of the longshoremen that lost his job. She was wearing a sign that read, “Del Monte ruined my Christmas,” said Russell Bannan with the American Federation of Teachers in Colorado. “The reality is Del Monte also ruined her college education and her father’s ability to provide a future for his family.”