Labor talks between dockworkers, operators at ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach grow more heated

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Press Telegram

By Andrew Edwards

WILMINGTON Goodbye Christmas cheer. Hello labor strife.

The prolonged labor negotiations between port operators and dockworkers became significantly more acrimonious Friday when both sides made accusations of bad-faith labor tactics, which no doubt will compound congestion already crippling the twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Although neither side came out and said they were on the verge of declaring a strike or a lockout, the mayors of Los Angeles and Long Beach reacted quickly to the news by sending out a joint statement asking the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association, the latter of which represents port managers in labor talks, to avoid escalating the conflict.

Snip: A work stoppage would be bad news for the economy. In November, the National Retail Federation, National Association of Manufacturers and U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimated a work stoppage could drain $2 billion a day from the economy.


FULL story at link. Video: http://videos.tout.com/dry/mp4/8a045bb95e24bffb.mp4




ILWU Local 13 President Bobby Olvera, Jr. speaks to hundreds of longshoremen gathered for work at the ILWU dispatch hall in Wilmington, CA on Friday, January 2, 2015. Contract negotiations have stalled between the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association. (Scott Varley / Staff Photographer)

Also at link: Local News Video: ILWU rally - 1 - Olvera

Local News Video: ILWU rally - 4 - Olvera

Photos: ILWU members rally

Local News Video: ILWU rally - 2 - Janice Hahn

Local News Video: ILWU rally - 3 - O'Donnell


Read more: http://www.presstelegram.com/business/20150102/labor-talks-between-dockworkers-operators-at-ports-of-los-angeles-long-beach-grow-more-heated

[Turbineguy]

1. The ILWU

is the only Union left that stands up for its Members.

[State the Obvious]

2. Perfect example of solidarity….

..and I will be forever grateful for the strength behind this union (especially ILWU Local 13) and their unwavering commitment to their members and their families. There is strength in numbers…..and THIS UNION IS STRONG! Watch them... and learn.

[socialist_n_TN]

3. I've wondered about this contract.........

I actually thought it had run out in June of 2014.

Anyway SOLIDARITY WITH THE ILWU! Closest thing to a class struggle union in the United States.

[State the Obvious]

4. I think contract ran out...

…in July 2014, They have been working in good faith without it, not wanting to do damage to the economy. But, waiting (and working ) for six months without a contract is long enough…..time to get down to business.

[socialist_n_TN]

6. Thanks for the factuals........

Yeah, six months is too long, especially when management doesn't want to talk about it.

[seabeckind]

5. I guess we're going to have to expedite that Mexican port handling

and the automatic passthru of the trucks at the border.

Can't disrupt the flow of those vital goods to the walmart distribution center, can we?