VACPUSA

by worker-correspondent J. Giles

Sitting at my desk, around 6:40 p.m. the news comes in on my phone from a comrade on the ground at the Norfolk International Terminal strike: “We won, strike over.” I jump at my phone to make sure I read that correctly. I could not believe this news considering the strike was in its infancy, only three days old. I have followed the strike since it was a rumor, and visiting the picket lines since the International Longshoreman’s Association began striking this week, at the expiration of their contract with the United States Maritime Alliance. I was shocked.

I got to the picket line as fast as possible, finding a scene of disorganization. Multiple groups of workers standing together, all the picket signs gone, and the support tent being taken down. I found the closest person in an orange “ILA on Strike!” shirt and asked if the news is true. “Yeah, the strike is over.”- “Did you all win?”- “Yes! We did!” We bumped fists, and I move on looking for more answers. I walked over to another group of workers conversing and found a different story: they were under the impression they will be working under the same contract, but temporarily.

I asked, “Is the strike actually over? This just sounds like a contract extension.” I moved on looking for anybody who looked willing to talk. I came across yet another group of workers in a huddle discussing what this all means.

As I walked up, I heard them talking about returning to work. “Tomorrow?” – “No, most likely Monday since they [N.I.T.] disconnected our badges.”  The group notices me, and I ask, “So what’s going on?” One of them tells me that the international union has signed a tentative agreement, and the only thing they know is that both sides came to an agreement on wages. Allegedly, the wage increase concession was 61%. One of them tells me that’s a twenty-four dollar per hour raise. That means Longshoreman could be making anywhere between 48-87 dollars per hour.

Of course, most of us would jump at that amount of money, but consider the job they have been doing to keep us comfortable: they show up to work through pandemics, horrible weather, and at all hours of the day. They perform a physically grueling job with absurd hours. They do all of this just to make sure we have the goods we need. They’re critical in supporting the U.S. economy, and all the while making billions for the bosses… while trying to keep themselves and their family above water.

As the dust settled, we have learned that this is only a contract extension with some agreed upon concessions for these essential workers. I am proud to have stood on the line with my fellow workers and I look forward to a fair and final contract agreement before January… else, I’ll be back on the line should they call to strike again.