Union May Deal in Face Of GOP-Led Congress

By DAVID GREENBERG

Staff Reporter

Last week’s Justice Department ruling that West Coast dockworkers were not intentionally slowing down the flow of cargo did little to placate the concerns of union officials, who fear that the Republican-controlled Congress might soon introduce anti-union legislation.

For months, GOP lawmakers have hinted that they might use legislation that would damage the International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s collective bargaining power if the union does not soon settle its six-month dispute with ship companies over a new three-year contract.

Legislation could include dividing the ILWU into separate bargaining units for each of the 29 ports or imposing binding arbitration. This has led to speculation that the union will take less of a hard-line stance in contract talks, which resumed Nov. 13 after a weeklong hiatus.

The union vowed to hold its ground and has posted a notice on its Web site soliciting $50 from members and supporters for a political action fund for legal and lobbying efforts against federal intervention.

“We’re not going to let outside forces get in the way of us pursuing a fair contract,” said Jeremy Prillwitz, an ILWU spokesman. “This union will not be intimidated.”

But some in the industry questioned the rhetoric, saying that the ILWU might not have any choice but to compromise.

“The union definitely feels pressure of political change that happened on Nov. 5,” said Peter Olney, associate director of the University of California Institute for Labor and Employment. “The question is, can the union and labor movement maintain enough Democratic votes to prevent the passage of unfriendly legislation.”

Justice Department officials concluded last week that neither side engaged in improper conduct as cargo operations slowed at the port.