OCCUPY OAKLAND'S NOV. 2, GENERAL STRIKE: WHICH UNIONS SUPPORT AND WHICH WILL WALK

The ambitious call for a General Strike in Oakland is picking up steam with a press conference today followed by a history lesson about the General Strike of 1946 when over 100,000 workers walked out for three days in support of women workers in a local department store. But that was 1946 and this is 2011.

Many Unions have contracts which prohibit wildcat strikes, it is a particular problem for public workers who are caught in a maze of requirements around strikes. That being said, many Unions are being very creative. Many Unions have passed resolutions in support of the November 2nd Day Of Action and are encouraging workers to participate. Some of the Unions are particularly militant and determined. These are some of my favorites.

ILWU is planning on shutting down the Ports in the Bay Area. The mass march is scheduled to head for the Port Of Oakland. This could give mass picketing a whole new meaning. The General Assembly has passed a resolution in support of the current struggle the ILWU is having with violations of their contract by grain operators in Washington State.

UAW 2865 -They are encouraging all their members to support the strike action. In an interesting use of their contract language they have identified Occupation Oakland and Occupation Wall Street as a "sanctioned Union Strike Line to be honored by their union". Some private sector workers can refuse to cross a picket line of other unions. In this case they are stating that they will "actively support all union and non union workers who refuse to break up or raid or confiscate the belongings of protesters". They also state that they recognize that protest movements and strike lines do not have curfews, are not 9-5 activities and they will work to protect the right to protest 24 hours a day, with on site food, medical supplies, water and tents.

The Philippine Airline Employees Association - Proclaimed their solidarity with the General Strike and especially the blockade of the Port Of Oakland. Currently more than 1,000 of their members are occupying areas outside Manila and Ceba.

Carpenters Local 713 - Represents 3,000 private sector construction workers in Alameda County. They officially support the call for a 1 day strike November 2nd.

Last but not least is my union SEIU. Local 1021 is the largest union in Oakland and represents city workers. The Oakland City Administrator, Deanna Santana issued a statement saying that SEIU has requested that the City of Oakland allow workers to leave work as part of the Oakland General Strike. She stated that "City workers who participate will not face disciplinary action." This applies to all city workers in all unions.

We will have to wait until Wednesday to see the results, but clearly the call for a one day General Strike was not made without thought and knowledge of the Bay Area Labor Community. Viva La Huelga!