By Herb Mills

Page 15

It should be noted that the men upon whom the employer could most readily rely for "a really first class stevedoring job"and a very conscientious performance of the work were men who were viewed by their fellow workers as the very best of union men and the most militant of their union brothers.

The opportunities which their work afforded these men for an effective militancy was frequently "raised to the second power" by collective and concerted "job action.

Indeed, the ability and willingness to undertake disciplined and well-planned job action, i.e., work-stoppages or mini-strikes of limited scope and short duration, became the very hallmark of the San Francisco longshoremen.

As a rule, job action was intended to enforce the union's understanding of a contract provision or to effect what was viewed as a sensible way of proceeding and/or a necessary safety measure.

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