Support from Europe for ILWU's May Day Antiwar Action from Unite the Union (Europe)
Dear Brother McEllrath
No Peace No Work May Day Action
I have been informed by the sacked Liverpool Dockworkers of ILWU’S decision to stop work at all of Americas West Coast Ports on the 1st May in protest against the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
On behalf of my Union can I send a message of thanks and support to the ILWU and all the Longshoremen and women, who will be participating in this historic and significant action.
Without a doubt the ILWU’S action is in the very best traditions of the Labour and Trade Union Movement; and should act as a clarion call to governments the world over that the time has come to end these divisive wars once and for all.
The 1st of May is International Workers’ Day when working class men and women remember, commemorate and celebrate the past industrial and political struggles of our forefathers and mothers.
The decision of the ILWU to use this May Day as an anti-war protest will go down in the annals of Workers’ History, and I congratulate you, your Union and all the members for making such a stand.
In Solidarity,
Len McCluskey
Assistant General Secretary