ILWU Canada President Mark Gordienko

ILWU Canada President Mark Gordienko

BC Shipping News published a lengthy interview with Mark Gordienko, president of ILWU Canada. Excerpts:

ILWU Canada: Backbone of the waterfront

For Mark Gordienko, who assumed the role of President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada in March 2012 following the 16-year tenure of Tom Dufresne, the responsibility of representing over 3,000 longshoremen and marine industry workers on Canada’s West Coast is not one he takes lightly. Recognizing the importance of his role, and even more so, the importance of the role ILWU Canada plays on the waterfront, Mark relies on his 40-plus years of experience on British Columbia docks to ensure the Union stays strong and effective.

BCSN: What are some of the issues of common concern [with the ILWU in the United States?]

MG: Policy, research and education, administration practices — these are just a few of the topics discussed at the international level. It’s also a platform for workers along the entire West Coast, including Hawaii and Alaska, to support each other. For example, if we’re on strike, they’ll support us; if they’re on strike, we’ll support them. We don’t want cargo ships that would be going there to come here in a strike situation.

BCSN: Could you describe the process that led to the current structure of ILWU Canada?

Read the rest of the BC Shipping News article at this link