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ILWU Union Pin

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ILWU Union Pin
Smithsonian Institution, Photo by Kristin DeGrace

IN CONTEXT

This object appears in the following sections:


Making the Exhibition		 Container Back Story — Maritime Labor

Transforming the Waterfront: San Francisco and Oakland, California, 1960–1970		 Transforming the Waterfront: San Francisco and Oakland, California, 1960–1970 — Negotiating Change

RELATED OBJECTS
Machinists' union button
Machinists' union button


Strike of '71
Strike of '71


Cargo hook
Cargo hook


Button, 'Longshore Victory'
Button, "Longshore Victory"


ILWU Union Pin
Catalog #: 2001.0214.04, Accession #: 2001.0214
Currently on display
 From the Smithsonian Collection
As a member of the ILWU's Local 10, Herb Mills would wear this pin on his shirt, jacket, or on his white longshoreman's cap.
Physical Description
Artifact. This gold colored metal pin depicts a fist clenching an upright cargo hook. Along the bottom of the pin are the letters "ILWU." The pin, which has a removable backing, measures 1.5 cm W x 4 cm L x 1 cm D.
Details
Date Made:
about 1971
Dates Used:
about 1971 - 2001
Locations:
California
Note:
San Francisco waterfront
Credit:
Gift of Herb Mills
History
The fist and cargo hook was adopted by ILWU longshoremen who voted to strike in 1971. It symbolized their opposition and resistance to the labor contract, which their leadership supported. Since then, the fist and cargo hook have become widely used as a symbol of the ILWU itself and is used on pins, clothing, and posters.

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