AN estimated 6,000 demonstrators joined the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) workers on a Los Angeles protest march against employers who refuse to give into their demands, reported the San Bernardino Sun.
Led by high school students, ILWU members, their friends and relations, marched down Harbour Boulevard along the San Pedro waterfront, carrying signs that read: "We support the ILWU and they support us."
Dana Middle School principal Steve Gebhart said he joined the march with his family because he feels strongly about the issue. "A lot of my students?families depend on the union," he said.
Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino organised the march more than a week after the employers, of the Pacific Maritime Association, suspended night shifts for unloading ships to focus on moving containers out of congested yards. The decision affected more than 800 jobs, according to the ILWU.
Quay crane operator Jerry Ancich said he lost hours because employers have cancelled dockside shifts until more boxes are cleared from the backup yard.
"The manning of the machines has been cut back so ships are just anchored out in the bay," Ancich said. "Work opportunities are slim. It's very hard to get a job."
Mr Buscaino, an ex-LA police constable, who represents the harbour area, has criticised the employers?decision, saying that cutting night shifts "is another step closer to a lockout" that would hurt residents and make port congestion worse.
"We say to the PMA, 'Let the ILWU do their jobs,'" Mr Buscaino told the rally. "We say this to the PMA, 'Let the ILWU clear our ports. Do not stand in their way.' Our economy’s here in the harbour."
The employers of the PMA released a statement:
"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," the PMA statement said.
PORTS
26 January 2015 - 19:53
ILWU dockers stage LA protest march, PMA responds
AN estimated 6,000 demonstrators joined the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) workers on a Los Angeles protest march against employers who refuse to give into their demands, reported the San Bernardino Sun.
PORTS
26 January 2015 - 19:53
ILWU dockers stage LA protest march, PMA responds
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