Longshoremen Strong Supporters of Labour Movement

by Trudy Kelly Forsythe
Saint John Times Globe

The longshoremen's union in Saint John, today known as ILA Local 273, has had 150 years of involvement in the labour movement and that's a duty it has taken very seriously over the years.

On the local level, ILA Local 273 has supported such union groups as the Saint John and District Labour Council since its inception in 1918. The council represents unions in Saint John and surrounding areas from Sussex to St. Stephen; today it represents 46 locals with 6,000 members.

"We're a network organization where membership can share issues of concern about what's happening in the workplace, community, province, country and the rest of the world," says Wendy McGee, council treasurer. She explains concerns include issues such as work practices, negotiations and government legislation.

One piece of assistance Local 273 has given the council is allowing it to use its facilities. "It's a big savings and gives us structure," says Ms. McGee.

But, the local has also gotten involved with the council in other ways, from participation at the executive level to offering financial contributions.

"Whether someone needs a wheelchair or children need toys, they are there with their support," Ms. McGee says. "When we have rallies we can always depend on the membership to attend."

That's a common refrain about Local 273, whether you're talking about the labour movement at the local, provincial, national and even international level. The New Brunswick Federation of Labour says the local actively supports unions throughout the province financially, morally and physically on picket lines when required.

Members have also been involved in the New Brunswick Federation of Labour as officers and at various committee levels.

The local is also involved with national organizations such as the Canadian Maritime Workers Council and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and international organizations like the International Dockers Committee and the Liverpool Dockers Initiative.

Nationally, the CLC certainly recognizes the local's commitment to the labour movement at all levels.

"They've been very, very active and very supportive," says Linda Gallant, Atlantic regional director, CLC. "They are generous both financially and morally, both around issues of importance to workers and in strikes. They're a local you can always rely on for support."

All of this support is vital to the labour movement.

"To advance workers' issues, it's important they get supported by all unions," Ms. Gallant says, agreeing that's why it's nice to see a local like the longshoremen's union get so involved.