No contract talks planned with Pacific Maritime Association Thursday.
Update:
The Pacific Maritime Association on Thursday released the following statement regarding its ongoing negotiations with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union:
“Nearly three months ago, the ILWU began a coordinated series of slowdowns intended to pressure employers to make concessions at the bargaining table. Ever since, PMA and its members have worked hard to counter the growing backlog of cargo that threatens to bring our ports to gridlock.
“Despite ILWU rhetoric, there was no significant congestion in Tacoma, Seattle or Oakland prior to their slowdowns, which began on Halloween night in Tacoma and at other major ports the following week.
“In Southern California, the ILWU’s targeted slowdowns have severely worsened existing congestion by withholding the skilled workers who are most essential to clearing crowded terminals. All the while, cargo sits idle, the economic damage to our communities worsens and the reputation of West Coast ports is harmed. PMA renews its call for normal operations on the docks while we continue to negotiate a new contract.”
PMA made its announcements just hours ahead of two rallies being planned by ILWU Locals in Los Angeles and Tacoma, where longshoremen are protesting the decision by the PMA to reduce workforces at terminals at night.
Dean McGrath, the president of ILWU Local 23 in Tacoma says that since before Christmas terminals at the Port of Tacoma have shut down two of three shifts, worsening congestion.
In addition, he noted that there were several days last year where workers were “fired” — sent home for the day — which helped back up traffic.
“Usually when you have congestion… you add night gates,” McGrath said.
McGrath said there are about 1,000 registered longshoremen with regular jobs and 350 casuals. He added that the casual workforce has high turnover with over half not remaining for more than four years because workers can’t make a predictable income.
The union has asked the PMA to replace 65 workers who retired or advanced and, since 2013, have requested that hundreds of positions be added to handle increased workload at the Port of Tacoma.
As to the charges of a slowdown, McGrath said “this local has been working tirelessly for solutions to congestion without much appreciation or help…”
Noting the dangers of dockwork and increased cargo volumes and congestion, he said “I can see members being frustrated. Not only are we not recognized for trying to help, we can’t even get a contract anymore. Why would the worker continue to put their life on the line to move record numbers of cargo, which has happened this year, with a slap in the face and the appreciation being we are going to find ways to get rid of your jobs?”
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union is planning major rallies in Los Angeles and Tacoma today.
Sources said the union left contract talks with the Pacific Maritime Association yesterday, and no talks are scheduled today, perhaps because union leaders will participate in those demonstrations.
Local 13 of the ILWU in a video posted on its website accused the PMA of “deception,” and called for terminals to resume ship-to-shore crane operations at night.
The PMA suspended ship-to-shore crane operations in the Southern California ports earlier this month saying it wanted to clear backlogs at terminals, but the ILWU contends there is enough space now that ships should be worked once again at night.
Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino said he expects over 5,000 persons to participate in the San Pedro rally and 1,000 are expected in Tacoma.
Rep. Janet Hahn said in a twitter message on Thursday morning that she hopes to attend the march in the San Pedro neighborhood adjacent to the Port of Los Angeles today.
The negotiations between the ILWU and employers represented by the PMA are said to be bogged down in discussions about whether the ILWU can be guaranteed jurisdiction over chassis repair and maintenance work.
In addition to the ILWU, some terminals employ members of the International Association of Machinists to repair chassis, and it is unclear whether the PMA can obligate companies such as chassis lessors, trucking companies, and beneficial cargo owners that are not signatories to the ILWU-PMA contract to use ILWU labor to repair chassis.
