Largest Labor Strike Since Iraq War Shuts Down West Coast Ports

LA Times | Louis Sahagun and Ronald D. White | May 2, 2008 02:03 PM

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Thousands of dockworkers at 29 West Coast ports took the day off Thursday, effectively shutting down operations at the busy complexes in what the union called a protest of the war in Iraq but employers worried might be a prelude to labor unrest.

The stand-down at ports including Los Angeles and Long Beach -- which combined handle 40% of the imported goods arriving in the United States each year -- idled ships and cranes, stranded thousands of big rigs and halted movement of about 10,000 containers during the eight-hour day shift.

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- research See Profile I'm a Fan of research

Vet's, stay with us, the world needs you.

Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:44 PM on 05/07/2008

- KillTheMessenger See Profile I'm a Fan of KillTheMessenger

This country is walking out on its Iraq vets just as it did on its Vietnam vets. Nothing learned. It's cheaper by far to wear that lapel pin.

Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:42 AM on 05/07/2008

- Pema See Profile I'm a Fan of Pema

Now who thinks any of these guys supports Hiroshima Hillary and her war plans for Iran?
I am a Californian, we didnt know Obama before, we do now, we thought we knew her, we didn't. Californians now depise this woman. Oh we now despise Bill too. Out of everyone I have talked to, and i've talked to alot, only one person supports Hillary.

Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:43 PM on 05/05/2008

- Gatormouth See Profile I'm a Fan of Gatormouth

God bless the ILWU. I am a retired Fed. Do you know that the ILWU was the only major union in the U.S. to attempt to assist PATCO in the air traffic controllers strike of 1981? Solidarity failed and Reagan began dismantling the union movement and the middle class along with it. Now Corporatists are in charge and jobs, industries, investment capital, and worker experience and living standards have all evaporated to "trickle down" elsewhere. The ILWU still is standing, and now, hopefully, the other unions are getting back on their feet. Remember, Corporate Fascism is still Fascism, and it is happening here and it hurts small business just as much as it does labor. Don't let demagogues with wedge issues trick you into voting your prejudices rather than your interests. International corporations are not citizens, and the Constitution is of and for the citizens of this country, not the convenience of it's would be rulers. .....SUPPORT THE UNION MOVEMENT!!

Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:28 PM on 05/04/2008

- dperino See Profile I'm a Fan of dperino

wow! now, these are the types of activities we need to see from organized labor. although many know that a union like the service employees international will continue to pander to employers amidst socio/political scenario akin to a george romero zombie movie. i'm hoping this demonstration isn't a flash in the pan.

Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:54 PM on 05/03/2008

- tbone99 See Profile I'm a Fan of tbone99

Kudos to some stand up folks.

Nothing like delaying goods to Wal Mart to stick em where it hurts.Now if they could just stop the arms we're delivering into Iraq ....

Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:00 PM on 05/03/2008

- ibsteve2u See Profile I'm a Fan of ibsteve2u

lollll...I'd like to have been a little birdie in the White House when this story broke...I have a half-suspicion that, since the President and Cheney seem to have found themselves to be incapable of pushing the button on Iran, they would wouldn't be above consoling themselves by talking about the joys of busting union heads.

Al Qaeda, Iraqi insurgents, union members - I suspect they are all the same to Bush and Cheney - just different groups who stand between themselves and more money.