FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
California dockworkers refuse to unload Israeli ship in protest at occupation, siege and flotilla attack
Workers at the Port of Oakland in California refused to unload an Israeli ship on Sunday following a huge labour and community picket line and the passing of a motion by the local International Longshore and Warehouse Union branch condemning the attack on the Freedom Flotilla and the siege of Gaza. The Zim Shenzhen, operated by Israeli company Zim Lines, was prevented from being unloaded for twenty four hours.
"We want to send a clear message that if you commit acts of piracy on the high sea; if you go and attack civilians and kill them in cold blood, execution-style; if you put Gaza under siege; if you build an apartheid wall; we will not honor your Israeli commerce right here in this town," said Jack Heyman, ILWU Local 10 Executive Board member.
Unionised dockworkers refused to cross a 700 strong picket line made up of workers and labour and community activists, citing health and safety concerns.
Under the terms of the ILWU contract with the port authorities, an arbitrator was summoned to the site who subsequently upheld the legality of the dock workers' refusal to cross the line, and the docking company was compelled to cancel the shift and send the workers home.
Over 700 workers and people of conscience gathered at dawn at Berth 58 of the Port of Oakland early Sunday morning, with people chanting non-stop, "Free, Free Palestine, Don't Cross the Picket Line," and "An injury to one is an injury to all, bring down the apartheid wall." The action succeeded in having the first shift cancelled. Campaigners later returned in the afternoon when a second shift of dockworkers had been due to begin work. The ship's arrival was delayed by two hours.
"We understand what international solidarity means - it isn't an empty promise. You have to be willing to give something up and we gave up a day's pay today," said ILWU member Clarence Thomas.
The successful picket is in response to an appeal made by the Palestinian trade union movement calling for effective and concrete measures to block Israel's maritime trade in response to its massacre of humanitarian relief workers and activists aboard the Freedom Flotilla [1].
"We, the workers and the people of Palestine are suffering under oppression of the Israeli occupation of our land and people. This occupation began long ago, the longest-lasting occupation of the modern era. Your action today is a milestone in international solidarity from honest and brave U.S. workers and trade unionists," said Manawell Abdul-Al, Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions spokesperson.
Dockworkers in Sweden and Norway announced earlier this month that they will carry out a week long blockade of all Israeli ships and produce. The blockades are both due to begin tomorrow.
The action is being viewed by observers as a further sign of the growth of the global movement for a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights. US rock bank the Pixies and British artists Klaxons and The Gorillaz all recently cancelled planned shows in Israel [2]. Conad and COOP, two of Italy's biggest supermarkets, recently announced that they will no longer stock produce from Agrexco, a partially state owned Israeli export country [3].
[1]www.bdsmovement.net/?q=node/712
[2] http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/27fb9d44-756d-11df-86c4-00144feabdc0.html
[3] http://www.stopagrexcoitalia.org/
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
1.
2. Police attended the picket. No arrests were made.
3. In 2005, Palestinian civil society issued a call for a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights. More info: www.bdsmovement.net
CONTACTS
Michael Deas
bnc.europe@bdsmovement.net
+447794678535/+447748874987
Jack Heyman
jackheyman@comcast.net
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