Glen Edwards
Interviewed by Rod Mickleburgh and Donna Sacuta
At the time of this interview, Glen Edwards was President of Local 505 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) in Prince Rupert B.C. He began working on the waterfront in 1982 and became local president in 2000. Half of the local’s membership is now indigenous. Edwards reflects on the changes he has seen in his time in the industry, including the negative effects of mechanization and containerization on the camaraderie of waterfront workers. Changes in dispatch procedures from technological change are discussed. Recently, more women have become longshore workers.
Keywords: Prince Rupert; ILWU; longshore workers; waterfront; mechanization; containerization; dispatch; Local 505; women workers;