Article on Local 861, the union of the Portland Longshoremen's Benevolent Societ

Lance Tapley

Source

Portland Monthly

Date

7-1-2003

Additional Date Information

Jul-Aug 2003

Pages

27-37

Abstract

Article on Local 861, the union of the Portland Longshoremen's Benevolent Society, describing the small, elite group of men who earn up to $60/hour loading and unloading ships' cargoes on the waterfront. The good pay and benefits are coveted by many, but the union hasn't taken in new members for a few years, and only a couple of slots open up every year. In addition, there are only three full-time employees, so for most, it's only a part-time occupation that requires another steady job. Spots in the union are often kept in the family, and it is not uncommon to have two or three generations of longshoremen in a family. There are just 40 longshoremen left, and only about 30 are active. With comments by longshoremen Matt Connelly and Jack Humeniuk,

Subjects

Labor unions Portland, Longshoremen, Connelly, Matt, Humeniuk, Jack

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