US WEST coast waterfront employers have called on dockers to extend their old contract while talks continue so dispute resolution machinery available can be used.
"For the sake of our economy, we call upon the International Longshore Workers Union (ILWU) to agree to a temporary contract extension while we continue to work on a new agreement," said Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) spokesman Wade Gates.
"A contract extension and a full return to work will give everyone - from shippers to consumers - the confidence that is needed before the critical holiday shopping season," he said.
It would also put the dockers at a disadvantage being unable to conduct go-slows that threaten the Christmas season and bring pressure on the employers to settle in the union's favour because labour arbitrators would most likely declare slowdowns illegal.
Full time dockers receive an average wage of US$147,000 a year, along with a non-wage benefits package costing more than $82,000 per full time worker per year.
But the ILWU is continuing its slowdowns in Seattle and Tacoma, with walkouts occurring in Oakland and refusals to dispatch needed men in Los Angeles and Long Beach, he said.
Negotiations for a new contract began in May for the contract that expired July 1, and talks have been occurring almost constantly for the past six months.
"Since October 31, members of the ILWU have continued to work slowly in the ports of Tacoma and Seattle. Various reports have detailed the dramatic impact these slowdowns are having at this critical harvest season for Washington State apples, potatoes, Christmas trees and other perishable produce," said the PMA statement.
"In recent days, longshoremen on several shifts have walked off the job in Oakland, shutting down their terminals for the remainder of the shift," it said.
"In the critical ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where growing congestion has been a recognised issue for some time, the ILWU continues to short-shift crews by withholding qualified yard crane operators, said the PMA.
Said PMA spokesman Wade Gates: "These actions - slowing down, walking off the job and not sending the crews that are needed - will continue to push the west coast ports closer and closer to outright gridlock. With two weeks before Black Friday, the last thing our economy needs is a shutdown."
Under the present contract, dockers get fully paid health care for workers, retirees and their families with no premiums, no in-network deductibles and 100 per cent coverage of basic hospital, medical and surgical benefits. Prescription drugs are covered for $1 per prescription; dental and vision care are provided to workers, retirees and their families at little or no cost.
WORLD SHIPPING
16 November 2014 - 23:49
West coast employers ask dockers to end go-slows and extend contract
US WEST coast waterfront employers have called on dockers to extend their old contract while talks continue so dispute resolution machinery available can be used.
WORLD SHIPPING
16 November 2014 - 23:49
West coast employers ask dockers to end go-slows and extend contract
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