What is a "Pie Card" Union official?

Officials who fail to carry out the desire of the majority are subject to immediate recall. "Pie Cards" are not tolerated in the ILWU

From the Waterfront Worker
(A rank and file newsletter published in the 1930's)

Soon Local 38-79 will be holding its election of officers. The membership at this time faces a serious responsibility of electing officers in a local where we must go ahead to strengthen our union and work to build a marine federation of such strength it will prevent the ship-owners from pulling any attacks on us.

In order to strengthen our union, one step we must take is to elect responsible, trusted leaders who will not think of the union as their play-toy, but men who will carry out the instructions of the rank and file.

Last election our union was young and the men didn't know who could be trusted as leaders. Many just voted without carefully examining the men they were putting into office. Holman was elected President, the Waterfront Worker correctly pointed out to the men he was a rat. This was later proven before and during the strike when he tried to organize a fink union, hoping to get recognition from "Sell-Out" Ryan.

The official clique already seeing defeat for their cronies, have already attacked the nominating of sincere rank and file leaders who led our union to victory during the strike on trumped up charges that the constitution is being violated.

When Lewis tried to challenge the candidacy of Harry Bridges, Chairman of the rank and file Strike Committee, for President, he was so thoroughly booed he couldn't say a word.