September 2001 • Vol 1, No. 4 •

Teachers Union Supports the Charleston 5

---

With 2.6 million members, the National Education Association (NEA) is the largest labor organization in North America. At its 2001 Representative Assembly, held July 4-7 in Los Angeles, the NEA passed the following resolution in support of the “Charleston Five”, South Carolina dockworkers being victimized by the state authorities.

“The NEA shall publicly support the Charleston 5 [members of ILA (long shore) Locals 1422 and 1771 in Charleston, South Carolina], who attempted, in January 2000, to halt non-union labor from unloading ships by picketing and have been indicted for defending basic union rights. Further, the NEA shall publicize this case and mobilization on their behalf in NEA publications”.

The motion was made Bill Balderston (California) and seconded by Marsha Feinland (California). There were no speakers against the resolution. The motion passed by an overwhelming voice vote of the 9,000 delegates present.