Direct Action Gets the Goods: Stand Up for Washington Workers

Workers from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) are waging a critical fight in Longview, Washington – blocking trains and scab labor, and showing the rest of the country that standing up for one’s rights can and should go far beyond simply marching and recall elections – aka the failed labor strategy in Wisconsin.

A quote from today’s Seattle Times: “At least 500 Longshoremen stormed the Port of Longview and broke out windows in the guard shack, according to Longview Police Chief Jim Duscha. As men wielding baseball bats and crowbars held six guards captive, others cut brake lines on boxcars and dumped grain, according to Duscha.”

More inspiration: “[Richard] Ahearn, regional director of the National Labor Relations…alleged union workers bombed EGT Terminal with a bag of manure from an airplane. It had signs attached saying “scabby 701,” a reference to another local that was doing work on terminal construction.”