ILWU attacked by law enforcement in Longview, WA, September 7, 2011. Photo by Dawn Des Brisay
The International Longshoremen’s Association, AFL-CIO joins in solidarity with our Sisters and Brothers of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union in condemning the attack by police in riot gear on hundreds of ILWU member-protesters in Washington State and the detention of ILWU President Bob McEllrath.
ILWU President McEllrath and hundreds of his members were peacefully protesting at a railroad tracks yesterday, blocking a train carrying grain to a foreign-owned loading facility in Longview, Washington.
“The ILA condemns this aggression against union workers seeking to protect the work that they have performed for over 80 years in the Port of Longview,” said ILA President Harold J. Daggett. “They were peacefully protesting the failure by big grain companies to honor ILWU agreements,” President Daggett continued. “I stand with ILWU President in proclaiming: ‘It shouldn’t be a crime to fight for good jobs in America’.”
ILA President Harold Daggett pledged the ILA’s full support in this struggle.
“The ILA stands with ILWU and will offer any help it can to make certain ILWU members rights and jobs are protected,” added ILA President Daggett.