Port of Long Beach photo of Pier G
A simultaneous bid by the Teamsters Union to win the union election fizzled badly despite a show featuring big Teamster trucks with giant billboards, lots of Teamster jackets and dozens of flyers. The cozy relationship between company managers who invited the Teamsters to get involved after workers expressed support for the ILWU, doomed that effort in the eyes of most workers.
“It was obvious to everyone that the Teamsters were the company’s union, and we didn’t want that,” said JBA driver John Soto.
“We wanted a strong, independent union that would give us a voice – not a union that was already in bed with the company,” said longtime JBA driver Humberto Alvarez.
“Now it’s all about helping these workers get a good first contract,” said ILWU Vice President (Mainland) Ray Familathe, who oversees the ILWU’s organizing campaigns. Familathe complimented the workers for their unity and determination to join the ILWU, despite many obstacles that were thrown into their path.
“It’s always a struggle to get this far, but these guys pulled together and got it done,” he said. Familathe noted that JBA has provided transportation services to the petroleum industry for over 30 years, and said their parent company, Bragg, is a successful operation with union contracts that cover many employees.
“Everyone at our end is prepared and ready to do their part, so we’re looking forward to negotiating a fair contract with JBA,” said Familathe.
Excerpts from The Dispatcher. Read the full article at ILWU.org