Hughes Tries to Railroad Contract Extension
Master Contract Bargaining Update #5 * 8/21/09

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DAGGETT’s LETTER

ILA President Richard Hughes denied claims of backroom negotiations in a letter to wage scale delegates. Ironically, he then announced a proposal that he will present to delegates.

Hughes called for an emergency ILA Executive Board meeting on Wednesday August 26th in Washington, DC and scheduled a wage scale meeting for August 31st in Orlando, FL. He will likely announce a deal and see if he can get his supporters to pass it.

ILA Executive VP, Harold Daggett, announced his opposition to early contract talks in a letter sent to ILA deep sea locals a week earlier. In the letter Daggett demanded more information from management so the ILA could bargain as equals.

Backroom Negotiations Confirmed
According to Daggett’s letter, several “select” members of the ILA Executive Council had been meeting with the USMX in spite of the pledge by the ILA President to involve the delegates and end early negotiations. This confirms the Longshore Workers’ Coalition’s information that ILA President Richard Hughes and General VP Benny Holland had met with the USMX behind the backs of the Wage Scale Committee delegates (see Master Contract Bargaining Update #4).

Hughes Denies Claims then Announces Deal
Hughes denies that he engaged in secret negotiations, arguing that he used his authority as ILA President to continue informal talks. However, in the conclusion of the letter he announced a deal that he would present to the delegates.

Removing Royalty Cap Not a Fix
The USMX had been demanding deep cuts in exchange for lifting the container royalty cap. Lifting the container royalty cap alone will not significantly help the International Union, members or ILA locals financially in the short term. The royalty cap is based on tonnage and tonnage has declined.

Split at Top of ILA
Daggett’s letter indicates that there is a split at the top of the ILA. This split has been brewing since negotiations started last February. At the time Daggett stated that he opposed early bargaining and would not support a contract that failed to end the wage tiers and protect the ILA from technology and from encroachment on ILA jurisdiction. Hughes seemed eager to continue early negotiations regardless of Daggetts concerns.

Mobilize the Membership & Reject a Bad Deal
We must be prepared to reject an offer that does not secure the future of our union. The LWC will continue to get rank and file members the most up-to-date information on the negotiations and help prepare the ILA for bargaining. Every member must know the details of the contract well before they are asked to vote.

What you can do:

•  Join the LWC information network by contacting the LWC at 718-865-8782 or at unity2010@lwcjustice.com
• Volunteer to give out and gather information.
• Volunteer to coordinate contract-mobilizing activities in your area.

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What Will It Take to Win Justice ?
Communication: We must have constant information about what the union plans to do during bargaining. With feedback from the membership.

Corporate Campaign: We no longer bargain with shipping interests, we are bargaining with banks and pension funds. We must know how these corporations operate.

Member Action: Members must be prepared to fight for justice on the dock, in the media and in the corporate board rooms. We must start early and never let up. The LWC will be there.

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ILA Members Deserve a Contract that:
Ends wage tiers * Ends the royalty cap * Has job security against technology and lost jurisdiction * Protects local benefit’s * Improves safety * Gets us our fair share