What is Along the Shore?

Along the Shore, a 24-page coloring book, was written by San Francisco elementary school teacher Bill Morgan, and published by the California Federation of Teachers' Labor in the Schools Committee. Along the Shore features images of longshore workers, their working environment, and the various tasks they perform.

Coloring books sponsored by unions and depicting the work of their members have been, if not common, at least not unknown over the years. A glance through the Labor in the Schools Committee's files reveals coloring books underwritten by unions of letter carriers, autoworkers, carpenters and other workers. Where Along the Shore differs from most of its predecessors is in its direct description of the workers' union and what it does.

Says one page, “A group of workers who agree to help one another to make their jobs better is called a union.” Another caption, accompanying an image of a meeting, says “At union meetings, the workers discuss ways to make their work better and safer.” In the background we see the ILWU banner and slogan, “An injury to one is an injury to all.”

“Virtually all of my students will grow up to be workers,” says Morgan. “Their parents are all workers. Yet there's very little that our education system does to promote an awareness of work and the problems kids will face once they're working. And there's even less to acquaint students with the main conflict resolution tools they possess as workers: their union and collective bargaining.”

“Most lessons focus on the individual." Morgan notes."I try to help my students see that all workers have common interests, and those common interests are better served when we're organized.”

Along the Shore is the result of a collaboration between the CFT Labor in the Schools Committee and the ILWU Local 13 Education Committee. The Diane Middleton Foundation, and Sign and Display Local 510, contributed additional financial support for the booklet's graphic design and printing.

Most second graders are capable of reading the text. For Kindergarten or first graders, the teacher can read to them, and the kids can color the pages. Cost: $3, or $2 each in orders of ten or more.

The Spanish translation is by Sylvia Ramirez (specify whether you want English, Spanish, or copies of each). Order through cft2donnas@aol.com, or call 510-832-8812.