FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Newly Elected I.L.A. President

Ready To Take Control

 ILA Convention Talk - September 2007

Researched By: News Team

("President-Emeritus John Bowers and newly-elected ILA President

Richard P. Hughes, Jr. exchange the symbol of office [the Gavel], at

the conclusion of the convention)

The convention was called by Clarence Pittman, Jr., Temporary Convention Chairman and President of Miami, Florida Local 1416, who then passed the gavel to ILA President John Bowers. President Bowers, serving as Convention Chairman, announced that he would not seek re-election and that our goals for the coming period should include removal of the cap on container royalties; ending the two-tier wage scale; increasing security-screening of containers to 100%. These lofty, but achievable objectives set the tone for the entire gathering. Among the many valuable speeches at the convention, Anthony Scioscia gave one of special interest to members of our local. The presentation dealt with topics relevant to all Section-12 longshoreman, not just APM-sponsored or list workers. While announcing the important decision to shift shipping from the Panama to Suez Canal while waiting for reconstruction to be completed in Central America, he also dispelled many rumors about low-productivity in our port. The shift to the Suez Canal in Egypt is especially significant because it will make NY among the first ports-of-call for containers following this route. During the convention days there were many other speakers that gave informative presentations. Political figures were also present and vocal. Industry togetherness among the locals were at an all time high. Local 1233 President, William Dudley stated, "One of the surprises for the local was to see the number of local 1233 members that paid their own way to attend an International Convention. This year, many, many more rank-and-file members took time away from work and families in order to attend. This new spirit of involvement, of needing to know first-hand what is going on in the union, is very exciting". More convention information can be obtained from the workshop meetings held every Tuesday evening at the ILA Local 1233 Union Hall.

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