Our Dave in LA

Dave and Julie Schleibs with Harry Bridges' son Robbie

Los Angeles, May 15, 2009: Seventy five years ago on this day, two longshore workers Richard "Dickie" Parker and John Miles Knudsen were gunned down by guards hired by shipping lines during the great strike of 1934.  They were the first martyrs to give their lives for their union, the ILWU - a union led by one time Aussie seafarer and US longshoreman, the legendary Harry Bridges.

So it was only fitting that the MUA flag flew on the day.  And there to fly it was Dave Schleibs, MUA Victoria Deputy Branch Secretary and wife Julie.

"Our MUA flag was flying high with the ILWU flag," said Dave. "I was there representing my union. Everyone on the march who saw the flag came up and introduced themselves and thanked me. We've got a strong history between our two unions. The longshore workers showed their gratitude to have an Australian.  They know our links to Harry and our history."

ILWU locals commemorated the martyrs with a memorial service on the day and a five kilometre march from the Harry Bridges Boulevard in Wilmington to the Longshore Memorial in San Pedro. 

The highlight of this year's event was the unveiling of a bronze bust of Harry Bridges, sculpted by the renowned artists Eugene Daub and Rob Firmin of San Pedro and Emeryville, California.

Harry Bridges was the legendary founder of the International Longshore Workers' Union, an Australian seafarer who jumped ship in San Francisco in the twenties, joined the waterfront and founded the ILWU after bitter struggle culminating in police firing on workers.

"For us, this is hallowed ground. It's for the guys who got killed -- and died on the job -- and for Harry," union Pensioners' President Al Perisho told the LA Times as he admired the gleaming $130,000, 8-foot-tall monument installed at 5th Street and Harbor Boulevard.

"Of course, Harry wouldn't have liked all the attention -- he was too modest," Perisho, 77, added. "Our goal here is to keep ILWU history alive, and cement a connection between the current generation and the struggles and sacrifices of union brothers and sisters of previous generations."

It was also a time to cement the ILWU MUA connection.

Dave and Julie were among an estimated 2000 unionists and ILWU leaders, past and present on the day.

Speakers included Willie Adams, Secretary Treasurer, ILWU and former ILWU leaders Jim Spinoza and Dave Arian, George Lujan, president local 13 and Danny Miranda, president local 94.

Also behind the mike was ILWU veteran and poet Jerry Brady who read his poem dedicated to the martyrs "First Blood Shed".

Special guest was Harry's son, Robbie.

Speakers at the event recognised the MUA and thanked Dave.  

 "It was an honour to represent my union and be so respected," said Dave.  "It was the union, not me on the march with our ILWU brothers and sisters that day."

Dave Schleibs and Julie were on personal leave after attending the May Day MUA contingent in Havana.  They would like to thank Roxanne and Michelle Lawrence, ILWU from local clerks 63 for their hospitality during their stay in LA.

Commemorations of the 1934 West Coast Longshore Strike, a 3-month-long stoppage that culminated in a 4-day general strike in San Francisco and the Bay Area, continue for another month and will next centre on San Francisco where on Bloody Thursday, July 5, police, backed up by the National Guard, opened fire on a group of 2,000 dockworkers, seafarers and other maritime workers, killing two and wounding scores of others.

The workers won.  Along with the winning control of the hiring hall, the longshore workers got their demand for a six-hour day and better pay. During the strike, Harry Bridges emerged as the major voice and leader of the dock workers union that was to become the ILWU we know today.