November 30, 2004 Contact: Chester Donham
News Release 912-507-9940
912-231-0109

Local # 1414
International Longshoremen’s Association
Pledge of Support for Georgia Child Support Guideline Reform

Savannah, Georgia. Longshoremen’s Local # 1414 on November 23, 2004 approved a “Pledge of Support” resolution for reforming Georgia’s child support guidelines during the 2005 Georgia Legislative Session. The resolution calls for new guidelines to be based on “actual costs” and “with both parents sharing those costs.” Current guidelines are based only on a fixed percentage of the payer’s gross income. The union hall meeting was attended by over 300 members as well as state Representative Tom Bordeaux (Savannah), Representative-elect Bob Bryant (representing Savannah and Garden City), and Atlanta economist R. Mark Rogers. The meeting was moderated by Chester Donham, the political liaison for Local # 1414. The meeting began with an airing of members’ concerns to the attending legislators about the inequities and abuses of Georgia’s current child support guidelines. Key concerns were that the guidelines vastly exceed actual child costs and that child support awards too frequently are based on past earnings instead of current earnings when the economy is weak. The longshoremen complained they unfairly face losing drivers’ licenses, work permits, and professional licenses when they have child support arrears caused by excessive child support and even face arrest. Rogers then read the “Pledge of Support” and gave brief comments on the economic basis for the local’s concerns and the need for new guidelines. The meeting was a follow-up to a seminar on child support reform at the union hall on October 22, 2004, presented by a reform group, Georgians for Child Support Reform. Local President Benjamin Bryan ended the meeting by addressing Rep. Bordeaux and Rep.-elect Bryant on the importance of their supporting the union’s resolution on the need for child support guideline reform.

JUST WAIT UNTIL MORE AND MORE UNION MEMBERS BRING THESE CONCERNS BEFORE THEIR UNION REPS!

I doubt any other issue has such a profound effect on union members and their ability to spend meaningful time with their own children. Let NOW tell 300 longshoremen that mothers shouldn't have to help feed, cloth and shelter their children when they are at their NCP homes.

California has one of the largest longshoremen unions. Those unions affected many decisions. I hope the local #1414 spreads the word over to California, also.

If you're from CA get on the horn.

If someone knows the info to contact them (off-hand), then I will. Otherwise, I'll look for it when I have more time. Thanks!