Chicago
AFL-CIO Executive Council statement
Ever since John Bowers returned from World War II as a highly decorated Army veteran and went to work on the West Side waterfront in Manhattan, the International Longshoremen's Association has been at the center of his life. He carries on a long tradition: His family has been represented on the New York docks for six generations. It was more than a half-century ago when members of his home local, ILA Local 824, elected him as their vice president. He has been part of his union's leadership since then, serving as general vice president and Executive Board member of the Atlantic Coast District, president of Local 824, executive vice president of the entire ILA and, since 1987, its international president.
One of Bowers’ first major accomplishments with Local 824 was a seniority system in hiring. Later, as president of his union, he developed the Container Freight Station Operations, which has succeeded in introducing new kinds of container work for ILA members at all of the major ports where they work. As the union's chief negotiator, he has always recognized how important it is for his members to maintain stability in their industry. Among his achievements to that end were an extension of the ILA's master contract in 1989, a four-year master contract in 1990 that was later extended for two additional years, and an unprecedented five-year master contract in 1996, which was extended for three years.
Throughout his career, Bowers has been a strong advocate of solidarity throughout the union movement. He has contributed a great deal to the AFL-CIO as a vice president and member of the Executive Council, where he has served with distinction as a member of its International Affairs and Safety and Occupational Health committees.
At the ILA convention last month, Bowers announced he would retire after being part of the union he loves for three generations. On behalf of the women and men of the unions of the AFL-CIO, the Executive Council expresses its appreciation to John Bowers; we wish him a long and healthy retirement; and we thank him for his long devotion to the members of the ILA and the entire AFL-CIO.