South Carolina's largest dockside labor union has endorsed the re-election of Republican Attorney General Henry McMaster this November, signaling the end of a riot-sparked rift between the waterfront and his office.

"His whole term has been a welcome change," Kenneth Riley, president of the International Longshoremen's Association Local 1422, said Thursday.

The endorsement comes after McMaster's predecessor, Charlie Condon, and the union dueled in the aftermath of the union's widely publicized confrontation with police.

On the night of Jan. 19, 2000, hundreds of angry longshoremen fought with police outside the State Ports Authority's Columbus Street Terminal.

The riot occurred after a Danish ocean carrier, Nordana Line, began using cheaper, non-union dockworkers to load and unload containers.

Condon sought felony rioting charges. Labor leaders described his prosecution as heavy-handed and accused him of upgrading charges to further his political career. Condon adamantly denied the allegation. Five dockworkers pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of engaging in a riot.

Riley said Wednesday that since McMaster was elected in 2002, he has opened a dialogue with the union.

Also, McMaster has pushed several quality of life issues that the union's 900 members support, including protection of wetlands and crackdowns on Internet predators, predatory lenders and domestic violence, Riley said.

McMaster welcomed the support.

"I'm thankful that this organization sees these issues the way I see these issues," he said at the ILA's Charleston union hall.

With the official candidate filing period opening only two weeks away, McMaster remains unopposed for re-election. No Democrat has come forward to run and no prospect is in sight, party leaders say.

Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postandcourier.com.