SEROKA TO ILWU: ‘THANK YOU’

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Acknowledges Contributions, Dedication of ILWU Members

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – May 11, 2021 – Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka met with the membership of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Locals 13, 63 and 94 to thank the dockworkers, clerks, and foremen for their unwavering commitment to processing the nation’s essential cargo throughout the challenges of the pandemic.

“I want to thank the men and women of the ILWU, and all the other waterfront workers, who have come to work every day since the pandemic began,” Seroka said at three separate ILWU local meetings last week. “We owe you a deep debt of gratitude for what you’ve done, and what you continue to do for our port and for our nation.

“We’ve been breaking cargo volume records for months,” Seroka added, “and it’s in large part because of the dedicated work of our waterfront workers.”

ILWU Local 13 President Ramon Ponce de Leon, ILWU Local 63 Marine Clerks President Mike Podue and ILWU Foreman’s Union Local 94 President Danny Miranda all expressed gratitude to Seroka and the Port of Los Angeles for its efforts during the pandemic on behalf of dock workers.

“Gene and Port of Los Angeles staff were at the forefront of getting our members personal protective equipment, COVID tests and access to vaccines,” said Local 63 Marine Clerks Association President Mike Podue said.  “Without them, we wouldn’t be here today. I want to say a special thanks to the Port of Los Angeles for what it has done for the ILWU locals, for our families and for our community.”

North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $259 billion in trade during 2020. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs across the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura. The Port of Los Angeles has remained open with all terminals operational throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.