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Rajesh Joshi, New York - Wednesday 2 July 2008
Port workers at Long Beach. pic: BloombergDOCKERS on the US West Coast were working without a contract as of today after their union and employers could not agree on a new labour contract. Negotiators were understood to be working round the clock to hammer out a new deal, which would replace the previous six-year contract that expired on June 30. Talks have been under way since early spring. The 2002 contract was a flashpoint, culminating in a bitter labour dispute that led to a 10-day lockout imposed by employers in October. Officials on both sides have publicly said they want to avoid a repeat situation this year. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union is spearheading the dockers’ cause, covering some 26,000 workers at ports in California, Oregon and Washington. Included in the list are the mega-ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which together handle 40% of container cargo business in the US. The 2002 talks had stalled on employers’ insistence on making more or better use of technology, which they believed was an unavoidable change required to keep US ports and terminals competitive with the global industry. The Pacific Maritime Association, which represents shippers and terminal operators, has sought to highlight that a full-time docker governed by their contract earns an annual wage of $136,000, which makes it among the best-paid jobs in the country. The ILWU says that this figure is hypothetical, and only 10,000 of its unionised workforce are employed full-time. Negotiators involved in the 2008 talks have previously indicated that they might already have a deal on health care. Wages, pension and productivity remain under review.
Port workers at Long Beach. pic: BloombergDOCKERS on the US West Coast were working without a contract as of today after their union and employers could not agree on a new labour contract. Negotiators were understood to be working round the clock to hammer out a new deal, which would replace the previous six-year contract that expired on June 30. Talks have been under way since early spring. The 2002 contract was a flashpoint, culminating in a bitter labour dispute that led to a 10-day lockout imposed by employers in October. Officials on both sides have publicly said they want to avoid a repeat situation this year. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union is spearheading the dockers’ cause, covering some 26,000 workers at ports in California, Oregon and Washington. Included in the list are the mega-ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which together handle 40% of container cargo business in the US. The 2002 talks had stalled on employers’ insistence on making more or better use of technology, which they believed was an unavoidable change required to keep US ports and terminals competitive with the global industry. The Pacific Maritime Association, which represents shippers and terminal operators, has sought to highlight that a full-time docker governed by their contract earns an annual wage of $136,000, which makes it among the best-paid jobs in the country. The ILWU says that this figure is hypothetical, and only 10,000 of its unionised workforce are employed full-time. Negotiators involved in the 2008 talks have previously indicated that they might already have a deal on health care. Wages, pension and productivity remain under review.
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