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West Coast port employers to slash shifts amid labor dispute Associated Press February 6, 2015 Companies that handle billions of dollars of cargo at West Coast seaports said Friday they will hire far fewer workers this weekend, the latest escalation in a contract dispute with dockworkers that threatens to shut down a vital link in U.S.-Asia trade. . . Congestion has been a huge issue at the West Coast’s 29 ports, where containers are taking two to three times longer than usual to clear dockside yards on their way to distribution warehouses. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union has blamed employers, saying that they failed to manage the supply chain efficiently. The Pacific Maritime Association, which represents shipping companies as well as port terminal operators, has said for months that workers have slowed their work by about 50 percent to gain bargaining leverage. . . While negotiators for the association and the dockworkers’ union met Friday in San Francisco, the shift cutting provoked a harsh response. “Closing down the ports over the weekend is a crazy way to treat customers that only adds to the industry-caused congestion and delays,” said union spokesman Craig Merrilees. Exporters, including farmers and cattle ranchers, say their goods are stalled on the docks — while importers of electronics, textiles, furniture, car parts and a range of other goods made in Asia also are affected by port congestion. . . <http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/West-Coast-port-employers-to-slash-shifts-amid-6067430.php> West Coast ports to reopen after weekend shutdown by Chris Woodyard USA TODAY February 8, 2015 LOS ANGELES — West Coast ports were expected to reopen to shipping Monday after a weekend shutdown that heightened labor tensions and hinted at the ongoing dispute's potential to sap billions of dollars from the U.S. economy. At the normally busy Port of Los Angeles, cranes sat idly perched over ships stacked high with containers during the weekend while other loaded vessels bobbed at anchor offshore. The terminal operators' decision to shut down ship movements at 29 West Coast ports affected not only goods such as cars, clothing, building materials and electronics from Asia, but also American agricultural exports. . . The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents dockworkers, says the move to shut the ports only made matters worse. The temporary closure came amid negotiations for a new contact. "Employers are deliberately worsening the existing congestion crisis to gain the upper hand at the bargaining table," said union president Robert McEllrath in a statement. He disputed operators' assertions that the docks are clogged with cargo, saying photos prove "there are acres of asphalt just waiting for the containers on those ships." But the terminal operators' association said it was no longer willing to pay top dollar to union members working at a snail's pace. "After three months of union slowdowns, it makes no sense to pay extra for less work," said association spokesman Wade Gates in a statement. The reduced pace has "needlessly brought West Coast ports to the brink of gridlock.". . <http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/02/08/west-coast-ports-closure/23086097> _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
