Shortly after the presidential inauguration, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) sent a delegation to Washington, DC, in early February to meet with members of Congress and key staff. The delegation was led by ILWU Vice President Mainland Ryan Whitman, ILWU Vice President Hawaii Brandon Wolff, and CLD Coast Committeeman Cam Williams. Other attendees included CLD Legislative Committee Chair Dan McKisson, ILWU Senior Policy Advisor Alexa Jurczak, ILWU Hawaii Director of Operations and Legislative Liaison Brenson Wailehua, and representatives from the union’s new lobbying firm Nueva Vista Group (NVG).
The group engaged with multiple members of Congress and their staff to introduce the ILWU’s new leadership and discuss issues important to the union. Key topics included automation and job loss, port security threats from foreign adversaries, battery safety, the Harbor Maintenance Tax/Di Minimis impact on cargo diversion from West Coast ports, the SHIPS for America Act, and grant funding.
Meetings were primarily focused on representatives from the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. This included discussions with Senators Patty Murray (WA), Mazie Hirono (HI), Brian Schatz (HI), as well as House members Marilyn Strickland (WA), Emily Randall (WA), Rick Larsen (WA), Adam Smith (WA), Dan Newhouse (WA), Suzanne Bonamici (OR), Val Hoyle (OR), Jill Tokuda (HI), Ed Case (HI), Robert Garcia (CA), and Laura Friedman (CA). Additional meetings were held with high-level staff in the offices of Senators Maria Cantwell (WA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Ron Wyden (OR), Josh Hawley (MO) as well as House member Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA).
Two meetings involved Republican offices: Rep. Newhouse shared concerns about port security and tariffs’ impacts on agriculture and Washington ports; Senator Hawley’s office discussed a “pro-worker framework” for worker protections but did not commit to a stance on NLRB attacks.
During this trip, it was evident that many members were unsettled by the Trump Administration’s actions affecting established agencies. Despite this climate, there was recognition of potential collaboration opportunities with the administration. Senator Hirono emphasized coordination efforts to protect democracy through communication, litigation, and legislation.
Significant impacts on ILWU include ongoing tariffs affecting imports like steel and autos while agricultural exports face retaliatory tariffs. Infrastructure grant funding has been paused or eliminated by the administration despite congressional approval. USAID dismantling affects global aid projects including “Food For Peace,” which supports U.S. shipping.
The U.S. International Trade Commission’s future meetings have been canceled alongside jeopardized hydrogen infrastructure projects due to administrative changes.
Many changes are politically motivated; however, legal challenges are expected against unilateral agency dismantling without congressional approval. The ILWU remains committed to advocating for workers’ rights irrespective of political affiliations.
“Whether you believe in less government or not,” said Jurczak in her closing remarks about maintaining democratic processes amidst these changes.
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