Growth and independence Harry Bridges

bridges elected president of san francisco local in 1935 , president of pacific coast district of ila in 1936. during period ila commenced march inland , in organized many warehouses, both in ports , @ distance them, received goods longshoremen handled. bridges led efforts form maritime federation of pacific, brought of maritime unions common action. federation helped sailors union win same sort of contract after long strike in 1936 ila had achieved in 1934.

in 1937, pacific coast district, exception of 3 locals in northwest, formally seceded ila, renaming international longshoremen s , warehousemen s union, after ila tried reorganize existing locals, abandon representation of warehousemen, , reverse unions policies on issues such unemployment insurance.

bridges elected president of new union, affiliated congress of industrial organizations (cio). bridges became west coast director cio shortly thereafter.

the ilwu established strong unions on docks in hawai during time, , later among sugar , pineapple workers there. encountered concerted opposition of employers, military , of political establishment ilwu s work changed political climate in hawai i. broke hold on power white landed elite had exercised half century.

as measure of influence, bridges featured on cover of time magazine on july 19, 1937.