Title:
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Resolution supporting the Charleston Five and condemning the targeting of union members and activists and all attempts in the state of South Carolina to restrict or encroach upon the civil liberties and democratic freedoms of such members and activists.
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Res. No. 2089
Title
Resolution supporting the Charleston Five and condemning the targeting of union members and activists and all attempts in the state of South Carolina to restrict or encroach upon the civil liberties and democratic freedoms of such members and activists.
Body
By Council Members Quinn, Miller, Perkins, Harrison, Berman, Koslowitz, Carrion and Michels; also Council Members Eisland, Foster, Freed and Robinson
Whereas, The right to organize and engage in union activity is protected by the National Labor Relations Act; and
Whereas, The International Longshoremen's Association Local 1422 was in a protracted labor dispute with the Nordana shipping line in order to defend union jobs, union wages, and union safety protections at the Port of Charleston, South Carolina; and
Whereas, On January 20, 2000, 150 members of the International Longshoremens' Association (ILA) Local 1422 picketed a Nordana shipping line container ship that was being unloaded by non-union labor; and
Whereas, Subsequent to the violent dispersal of the January 20th picket line that left ILA Local 1422 president Ken Riley clubbed to the ground, five Charleston, South Carolina union members (the "Charleston Five") have been charged with "felonious riot"; and
Whereas, As a result of the labor dispute with the Nordana shipping line, the Charleston Five were placed under house arrest for eighteen months and during that time were forbidden from leaving their homes from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM; and
Whereas, In response to South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges's nomination of Ken Riley to a seat on the State Port Authority, the State House of Representatives began considering legislation baring union members from membership on all state commissions, which on its face appears to be unconstitutional; now, therefore, be it;
Resolved, That New York City Council supports the Charleston Five and condemns the targeting of union members and activists and any and all attempts in the state of South Carolina to restrict or encroach upon the civil liberties and democratic freedoms of such members and activists.
LS:4638
CHS:ts
10/24/01