BY GWEN HAYES
Sentinel Editor

The members of International Longshoremen Local 1402 re-elected its President to a second term.

James Harrell was re-elected by a large margin on December 6. He will serve for 3 years. His opponents were Alvin Lynch and Ernest Richards, Jr.

Harrell worked himself from the hole – loading and unloading ships — to the president’s desk. He served as Vice President for 35 years – 2 years under Perry Harvey, Sr. and 33 under Perry Harvey, Jr. He credits both with teaching him the business of the maritime market.

Under his leadership are 2 vice presidents – Larry Coleman for Port Manatee and Wardell Norman for the Port of Tampa. During last week’s election, Gregory Weston was elected Recording Secretary (replacing Sharon Wright, who died recently), 2 new board members were added: Eddie Dutchfield and Charles Johnson. And, elected to the Audit Committee were: Steve Hall, Ernest Richards, Jr. and Travis Norman.

As a young man, his interest in working on the docks was sparked by an uncle, Joseph Harrell, who was a longshoreman in Tampa.

Looking back on the business, Harrell says automation has limited the number of men who are able to make a living from working at ‘the docks.’ And, there are a number of badges that a worker has to have before starting to work, including going through background checks. “Men can no longer get out of jail and come to the docks to get a job,” he said.

The work of the Bay Area longshoreman is limited to mostly cruise and container ships. He adds, however, that the job is still very rewarding.

When he’s not conducting longshoremen business, Harrell spends time with his wife, Linda F. Harrell.  The father of 6 children occasionally attends Jesuit High School football games where his son is the head football coach.

He is Chairman of the Board of Tampa Park Apartments, Inc.