The contract for over 22,000 West Coast dockworkers expires at midnight tonight. While the lack of a deal had been widely expected, the fact that dockworkers are now expected to labor indefinitely, without a contract or a strike authorization vote is provoking frustration among rank-and-file dockworkers.
One southern California worker told the World Socialist Web Site, “I would prefer to strike even against the union’s advice than let shippers get away with their lies and automation demands.”
Dockworkers along the coast expressed frustration at the fact that a strike authorization vote has yet to be called, despite the fact that the “no-strike” clause in the previous contract will no longer be in effect.
Since the initiation of behind-closed-doors negotiations between the PMA and the ILWU on May 10, both sides have maintained a “radio-silence” except for a joint-statement issued just over two weeks ago. In the statement issued on June 14, the PMA and ILWU said that there would be “no work stoppages or lockouts” after the contract expires.
Speaking on the lack of information on the new contract one worker told the WSWS that: “We are being kept totally in the dark. I have a lot of family on the docks and no one is talking about it. I’d say that at least 90 percent of us don’t have a clue, all we know that bringing automation and not giving us jobs is killing us.”
The Biden administration and corporate America as a whole are deeply concerned that a strike would not only disrupt fragile supply chains and bring much of the American economy to a halt; it would also have a galvanizing effect on workers across the country, who are fighting against the spiraling cost of living.
No doubt the ILWU, and others would defend the unions position that it cannot strike, by claiming that a strike would contribute to inflation and worsening supply shortages. But in reality these issues themselves are the product of policies, including deliberately allowing COVID to spread rather than carrying out needed public health measures and the outbreak of war against Russia, directed to the benefit of the corporate elite, which can only be opposed by mobilizing the working class against it.
The ruling class does not share the unions’ touching concern for the supposed “greater good,” but has taken advantage of shortages to engage in price gouging and drive profits up to record levels. Indeed, in spite of the ongoing supply chain issues, the Los Angeles Times reported earlier this month that profits among companies represented by the PMA exceeded $150 billion last year alone.
Moreover, in spite of the joint communique declaring their mutual desire to avoid stoppages, there is no reason to believe that the PMA would not lock workers out at the first opportunity if they felt it suited their purposes.
Now is the time for dockworkers to be organizing in preparation for a strike. By agreeing to a “no work stoppages” the ILWU has given the PMA an enormous gift and taken away workers best weapon. That the ILWU would agree to this, shows that they are not fighting in workers best interests, but working with the PMA, and the Biden government, to force through a deal (that will include automation/job loss) without provoking mass opposition.
Since they are not negotiation in the interest of all dockworkers, all the dues money that dockworkers are paying towards the bloated salaries of bureaucrats like Willie Adams and Frank Ponce De Leon, (each of whom pulled in over $300K last year), along with the $17,984,181 cash on hand, needs to requisitioned and pooled into a strike fund.
Enormous support exists in the working class for the dockworkers, including among dockworkers on the East Coast, who are in a separate union, the International Longshoremen’s Association. “What are they saying? Are they going to strike? We would support them,” one Hampton Roads dockworker told the World Socialist Web Site.
Dockworkers interested in advancing the call for strike authorization vote should fill out the form at the end of this article.