Rank and file members of the ILA took the ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington, DE by storm when they organized a petition for equal pay and direct election of International officers. The petition titled, “One Member–One Vote / Top pay Now” would obligate the delegates to the ILA Conventions to support resolutions for direct elections and top wage in the master contract

This super-energized petition movement took over the ILA in these local areas. Young members couldn’t wait to circulate the petition, collecting hundreds of signatures in a few days. Old school ILA members circulated the petition. Deep sea locals, checkers, warehouse workers, cargo repair members, lashers, crane operators, mechanics, time keepers, all gave their signatures in support of the effort to democratize the ILA and put all union members on the same tier.

At its regular meeting, with standing room only, Philadelphia ILA Local 1291 endorsed the petition demanding that delegates support the two principles on the floor of the upcoming ILA conventions. The meeting room was packed and the vote was unanimous by all rank and file members and all 1291 union officials.

In the past all International ILA officials have been nominated and ratified at ILA conventions without debate or a membership vote. Rank and file members are serving notice to the ILA bosses that they want to determine who our international officers will be.

The lower wages for new workers are bleeding the ILA. Less senior workers struggle to survive with substandard wages. The ILA International is deficit spending to the tune of $10 million a year. Lower wages have eroded the International’s dues income and weakened member-to-member solidarity. It is a win/win situation for everyone in the ILA to endorse a wage bridge, bringing all ILA members to full pay.

Rank and file members want to be heard; they want to be involved; they want to feel like this is their union. They want their leaders to speak to them about the real issues of organizing non-union dockworkers, safety, and better pensions so that ILA members are not impoverished when they retire. The rank and file wants to be taken seriously. They want a real voice in the ILA. The petition demands that delegates elected to the upcoming ILA convention in July in Hollywood, Florida fight for the issues of One Member / One Vote and All Members / Top Pay. The ILA Convention must adopt and ratify these two important principles if it is going to become a Union that fights for the issues important to its members.