ILA Local 1422 used its political clout to block the appointment of Charlie Condon to the board of South Carolina State Ports Authority. Condon is the former Attorney General and lead prosecutor who indicted five longshoreman on felony rioting charges during a picket, later known as “The Charleston Five.”

As Attorney General, Mr. Condon personified the fierce anti-union attitude of the State of South Carolina, its powerful Manufacture’s Alliance and the State Chamber Commerce. In a statement the morning after police provoked a melee, he promised jail, jail and more jail for Longshoremen arrested during the informational picket in January 2000.

Mr. Condon indicted five Longshoreman on felony rioting charges with each facing 5 - 6 years in prison if they were convicted. Through international solidarity with ILWU, Teamsters, SEIU, IEBWU, as well as the Spanish, French, Danish Dock Workers, ITF and others, Local 1422 forced Condon to drop the bogus charges. This was a major victory for Labor in South Carolina, the Nation and the world.

Since that time, Mr. Condon has been unelectable. He ran for governor shortly after the Charleston Five victory. Unions across the state organized and they educated working people all across the state about Mr. Condon’s attitude toward working families. He lost badly. He since ran for the U.S. Senate and lost that race as well.

This most recent attempt to add Mr. Condon to the SCSPA Board was successfully blocked. Again ILA Local 1422 and organized labor were able weigh in on the legislators and make a case against Condon. His actions during the Charleston Five event continue to haunt him. We must remain watchful to make sure people like Charlie Condon are not allowed to gain a voice in government.