(July 27, 2008) -- 6th district Councilman Dee Andrews, Int'l Longshore & Warehousemen's Union (ILWU) leaders and rank and file were joined by LB area elected officials for the Inaugural "Harry Bridges Day Pancake Breakfast" in Central LB's McBride Park on Sunday (July 27).

Photo credit: Jose Flores

The event, which coincided with Councilman Andrews' birthday, served up pancakes and politics. LBReport.com thanks Mr. Jose Flores for the photos on this page.

Councilman Andrews was among the event's speakers and praised former ILWU President Bridges, who led the union from the mid-1930's through mid-70's. Among ILWU leadership present at the event: So. Cal. District Council president Rich Dines.

Photo credit: Jose Flores

Also present was Congresswoman Laura Richardson (D., Carson-LB)...

Photo credit: Jose Flores

...who donned an apron and joined in the serving line.

Photo credit: Jose Flores

In photo below, Congresswoman Richardson speaks with Robert Garcia, a former aide to Councilman Frank Colonna and former president of LB's Young Republicans. Mr. Garcia has changed his party registration to Democrat and moved into the preponderantly Dem registered 1st Council district...where a Council vacancy will occur if Dem Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal wins the November Assembly election against Repub Gabriella Holt.

Photo credit: Jose Flores

Among those addressing the crowd was State Senator Alan Lowenthal (D., LB-Paramount). His "Port Investment" (container fee) bill is on the verge of final legislative passage and placement on the Governor's desk.

Photo credit: Jose Flores

Board of Equalization member Judy Chu was a podium speaker. In 2006, as the chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, then-Assemblywoman Chu prevented Sen. Lowenthal's "no net increase" in Port pollution bill from reaching the Assembly floor, effectively killing it for the session. (Sen. Lowenthal said he'd reintroduce the bill in 2007 but didn't.)

Photo credit: Jose Flores

Freshman Assemblyman Warren Furutani (D., Carson-LB), successor to former Assemblywoman Richardson, delivered remarks.

Photo credit: Jose Flores

LB Mayor Bob Foster was visible among the crowd.

Photo credit: Jose Flores

Also attending: newly named LB Vice Mayor Val Lerch.

Photo credit: Jose Flores

4th district LB Council member Patrick O'Donnell, a strong supporter of organized labor, was also present.

Photo credit: Jose Flores

Celebrated today as a mainstream union leader, Harry Bridges was one of the more controversial and militant union figures of his age. In the 1930s and 40s, he was accused of Stalinist leanings, opposed Dem President Harry Truman's Marhsall Plan (to rebuild western Europe and counter Stalin's east European presence) and endorsed Henry Wallace's presidential campaign. In 1950, the CIO expelled Bridges' ILWU, alleging a pro-Moscow stance.

A 1953 U.S. Supreme Court ruling ended federal efforts to deport the naturalized Bridges...and he continued building the ILWU into a powerful labor force.

In 1961, Bridges faced criticism from within his own union but prevailed in accepting a "Mechanization and Modernization" agreement that implemented management's goal of less total employment in exchange for union and job security.

Bridges was appointed to SF's Port Commission in 1970. He retired as ILWU president in 1977 and died in 1990.