The Longshore Workers Coalition ( LWC ) is once again poised to champion the cause of a wage bridge at the ILA International convention in July. The bridge would allow new workers, who started at a lower pay rate, to graduate to full pay. LWC members submitted resolutions calling on the ILA to adopt the principle of a wage bridge in future negotiations at every ILA International and SA&GC Convention since 1999.

In the nineties, the ILA’s leadership permitted bosses to hire new workers at a lesser rate. Unlike the ILWU, the west coast longshore union, the ILA’s provision does not allow new workers to move up to full pay. The ILA negotiates with the same shipping lines and stevedores as the ILWU.

Our leaders were short sighted. They did not see the suffering of younger longshore workers or the division that this would cause. Nor did they consider the economic impact that the new pay would have on our Unions’ treasury, leaving less money to organize, enforce safety, and fight for good contracts. The math is simple. If a member is paid more, that member pays more dues to the Union. For our officers not to see this scenario is a dereliction of duty.

The LM2 reports show that our Union’s assets have fallen sharply. They declined from more than $50 million to $37 million. This occurred at a time when work hours and tonnage have increased dramatically.

We must save our Union now! Demand that your Local leaders and your delegates to the ILA Conventions support the resolution for the principle of a Wage Bridge.