Race and unions have been intertwined since the beginning of the labor movement.

Over the years, owners and bosses have used race and immigration to divide workers and keep them down.  And this practice is a live and well today. Which is why when it happens, unionists combat it everywhere it happens, even on the docks in Charleston, South Carolina.

So, for this installment of my labor history series, we're going to talk about the Charleston 5.

Seventy-four years ago, longshoremen on the West Coast walked off the job to protest the imposition of an "open shop" by shipping and stevedoring firms.  The strike, known variously as the West Coast Longshoremen’s Strike and the West Coast Waterfront Strike, soon sparked a sympathy strike from sailors and then a general strike in San Francisco that shut down the city for four days and culminated with "Bloody Thursday".

Sad but true.  Did you know that
Twenty-nine ports along the West Coast, handling more than half of US waterborne trade, ground to a halt on Thursday?

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union said about 10,000 workers joined the anti-war protest, in part because, the union argues, that big shipping companies are profiting from the war.

Don't expect to see that headline on Google, Yahoo, New York Times, or Washington Post.   Never mind half of US waterborne trade ground to a halt.  Nothing to see here... economy turning around...outrage dimming... candidate diary coming up.

I'll be honest.  I'm embarrassed to learn there were at least 3 other postings about this here and all got hardly any notice.  Is Olbermann right there is a "dimming of outrage" or have we finally become masters of Ars Oblivionalis, the Art of Forgetting?  

Hats off to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) for today's decision by the rank-and-file to take the day off as a West-Coast wide protest against the illegal war in Iraq.  

Although the US media has chosen not to cover this as news, marine terminals closed across the West Coast early Thursday as longshoremen protested the war in Iraq

All 29 U.S. West Coast ports were at a standstill on Thursday because of a stoppage by longshore workers, a Pacific Maritime Association spokesman said.
"We are hearing there is no activity taking place up and down the West Coast," spokesman Steve Getzug told Reuters. The Pacific Maritime Association represents all 29 ports on the U.S. West Coast from San Diego to Washington. "There is no unloading or loading," Getzug said.

Guardian

Hey, non candidate diary!

Unless I fail at searching (in which case I'll pull the diary), there seems to be hardly a mention here on Kos about the following story:

Thousands of dockworkers at 29 West Coast ports, including Los Angeles and Long Beach, took the day off work today in what their union called a protest of the war in Iraq, effectively shutting down operations at the busy complexes.

...

Up and down the West (left) Coast, ports will be shut down as ILWU longshore workers will not go to work on May Day to protest the war. The time for workers to do something is overdue.

On May 1st, I will buy no products, travel nowhere, pay for no services, nor will I work.

For 8 hours.  On May 1st, I’ll remember the more than 4,000 American soldiers who have fallen, the countless thousands who have come home without legs, arms, eyes or the ability to walk.  I will remember those now in mental hospitals and all those now living on the streets, still at war in their heads. I will remember all the innocent lives lost in Iraq, children, elderly, mothers, fathers, and I will keep in mind that we can change it all this November. And I will also remember all my brothers and sisters lost while doing their jobs.

I’m planning to support the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and
Worker's Memorial Day (actually April 28th) by not working the day shift on May 1st.  

Just as our muscles rely on our skeleton to be of any use, our nation's military and economic might requires the support of We the People.

This first of May, a day recognized world-wide for labor rights struggles (except in America), blue-collar workers, union members, concerned citizens and immigrants will halt our industrial heartbeat at midday.

Thanks and may reality reach us all.

Note: The use of an "intelligent design" reference in the title is a reminder that without vocal opposition and adherence to fact/reality, our country will continue to follow the Ben Stein's and George Bush's into failure and ignorance. We must cease this tumble toward infamy before it's too late.

What Are you Doing on May 1st?

I’m planning to support the International Longshore and Warehouse Union by not working the day shift on May 1st.  

Why?

To protest the Iraq War

For Portland readers and beyond, support your governor's re-election bid at an Aug. 22 fundraiser for Ted Kulongoski.