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Dockers resolve to back US almond processing workers
18 September 2008
 |  |  view larger image | | | The offices of the ITF-affiliated Belgische TransportarbeidersBond, where dockers passed a resolution to support workers at an almond processing facility in the US | |
Dockers passed a resolution today supporting workers at an almond processing facility in the US who are seeking to organise fair and free elections to determine workers’ views on union representation.
The dockers passed the resolution during the ITF Dockers’ Section strategic planning seminar meeting in Antwerp, Belgium on 18-19 September. They pledged their backing for workers at the Blue Diamond Growers almond processing plant in Sacramento, California, who wish to join the ITF-affiliated International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). The company has conducted a four-year union-busting campaign in response to workers’ efforts to seek representation from the ILWU. Tactics include illegally interrogating, threatening, disciplining and dismissing union supporters. These actions violate the National Labor Relations Act.
The workers are now lobbying for a free and fair election so that they can determine, free of fear and intimidation, if employees want to be represented by the ILWU. Their demands include a guarantee from both the company and the union that there will be no intimidation or harassment of employees.
The dockers, who unload millions of pounds of Blue Diamond almonds across ports throughout Europe, lent their unreserved support to the workers of Blue Diamond Growers in their efforts to join the ILWU. They also urged the company to fulfil the workers’ demands for conditions to ensure free and fair elections take place and resolved to “stand ready and willing to engage in whatever legal solidarity action is necessary” to support the workers.
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