Several unions have noted that “the AFL-CIO has been slow to act” on the union-busting that’s been taking place at EGT and the raiding of affiliated unions. Several unions bodies, including local unions, central labor councils, state federations, and international allies have passed resolutions expressing their strong support for longshore workers’ fight for a good longshore contract at EGT in Longview, WA. This resolution of support for ILWU Local 21 recently came from IUPAT District Council 5, representing working men and women in Oregon, Washington and Idaho:
RESOLUTION
Whereas, EGT Development, a joint venture of multinational corporations Bunge, Itochu and STX Pan Ocean, agreed to hire union Longshoremen when accepting millions in taxpayer funds to build a massive grain exporting terminal at the Port of Longview and is now trying to avoid following its contract with regards to labor, andDistrict Council 5
Whereas, Longshoremen and their supporters are being wrongfully arrested by the hundreds in their defense of this lifetime jurisdiction from EGT Development’s attacks, and have gained public support in the process, and
Whereas, EGT Development found said willingness to undermine ILWU Longshore standards among the leadership of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 701, and
Whereas, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 701 and the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters are ideological partners in the NCA II, and
Whereas, the members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #5, an AFL-CIO affiliate, is under constant threat of craft raiding and undermining by the non AFL-CIO affiliate of the NCA II, and
Whereas, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #5, has adopted and accepts the Constitution of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and believes that the AFL-ClO’s primary duty is to address issues of jurisdiction, and
Whereas the AFL-CIO has been slow to act to address issues of jurisdiction,
Be it resolved that the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #5 condemns, in the strongest way possible, the strike breaking and predatory actions of the current leadership of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 701,
Be it further resolved that International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #5 and its affiliated Local Unions instruct their delegates to Central Labor Councils and State Federations to let it be known that the issue of raiding and strike breaking needs to be addressed in the strongest way possible,
Be it further resolved that each and every member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #5 be instructed to lend assistance and Support of ILWU Local 21 fight whenever possible or called upon.
