General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Occupy Oakland damages itself more than ports [View all]quiller4
(2,467 posts)that the rank and file are solidly behind their leaders and very angry at Seattle Occupy but glad that Tacoma Occupy decided Not to try and shut the Port of Tacoma and did informational picketing instead.
ILWU locals are democratic with staff as well as officers elected. When officers or staff displease members they are quickly booted out of office. I am not sure if the ILA is as democratic. The ILWU represents West Coast longshore workers while the ILA represents those on the eastern seaboard and part of the gulf.
One month ago Labor, rank and file and leadership, was well represented at Occupy marches in both Washington and Oregon. Now after the port shut downs, you hear rank-and-file members say of the Occupy protestors "with friendslike them, who needs enemies?"