Negotiations update 9/3/02

The Negotiating Committee of the ILWU met at 1:30 pm today. They were joined by leaders of various locals in the meeting.  The group discussed what actions should be carried out in light of the employer’s continued unwillingness to bargain.  The committee decided there will be no extension of the contract, and that we will continue to work without a contract.

We have worked in good faith without work stoppages despite the fact that to this point, we do not have an agreement on maintenance of benefits.

The PMA continues to use bait and switch tactics.  The ILWU will continue to develop an ongoing strategy to combat the employer’s deceptiveness and unwillingness to negotiate.  Our legislative team in Washington D.C. has been dispatched.  The ILWU committee has agreed to a strategy designed to ensure that the PMA will be held accountable for pursuing meaningful negotiations with the union.  Among those helping to bring public attention to our efforts to pressure the PMA to negotiate, and the Bush Administration to stay out of the negotiations is the Rev. Jesse Jackson.