WEST coast maritime employers have accused the longshoremen's union of "orchestrating" work slowdowns at Seattle and Tacoma, reports American Shipper.
As contract talks drag on for six months, the peak season is drawing to a close and with it any chance for the union to withdraw its labour with any impact.
Management allegations come as the two sides appear to have settled health coverage, but have been disputing automation the number of dockers needed, far less than the 13,600 now employed at 29 ports from California to Washington State.
The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), which represents employers negotiating with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), said the two northwest ports handle 16 per cent of west coast container cargo.
After saying the union had agreed to work normally during the talks, PMA spokesman Wade Gates declared: "Now, the ILWU has reneged on that agreement."
The employers' group said the union first targeted selected terminals in Tacoma and expanded to more terminals in Tacoma and Seattle.
The slowdowns began within hours of the end of the latest negotiating session. Lloyd's List reported that talks stalled over automation at a Los Angeles terminal controlled by MOL.
This is the first time that reports have surfaced for several weeks about what was delaying agreement between the two sides.
Then NYK sent a letter to customers on the southern California delays, referring to differences that have arisen concerning the TraPac terminal in Los Angeles.
"Most recently negotiations stalled as a conflict over automation at TraPac terminal has arisen. Both sides remain engaged and are committed to resolving all open issues," the NYK advisory states.
The ILWU could not be reached for comment.
"After several days of crippled productivity, employers demanded that union leaders return to normal workplace practices," said the PMA.
"When the ILWU refused by continuing its severe slowdowns, employers were forced to begin sending workers home, paid for time worked, mid-shift on Sunday." it said.
Said Mr Gates: "In Tacoma, the ILWU is not filling orders for skilled workers, including straddle carrier operators. You can’t play without them."
Mr Gates said the PMA has called on to the union to end the slowdown and agree to a temporary contract extension while we negotiate a new contract."
"The union’s agreement to a contract extension would give confidence to shippers and the general public, and would prove our willingness to solve our differences at the negotiating table, rather than by staging illegal actions at the docks," he said.
At other ports, shipping executives have said chassis roadworthiness inspections have been intensified recently in the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, and that they believe this is part of a campaign to put pressure on the terminals during contract negotiations, said the report.
But ILWU Local 13 president Bobby Olvera defended the inspections, saying they reduced the amount of debris such as mudflaps and chassis legs littering highways out of the port.
Mr Olvera said the union now requires drivers get out of their trucks because "we had a truck driver’s clutch pop while a mechanic was underneath his chassis inspecting the tyres, and the chassis lurched forward, and the man was almost crushed."
PORTS
04 November 2014 - 19:09
Employers say ILWU 'orchestrates' slowdown at Tacoma and Seattle
WEST coast maritime employers have accused the longshoremen's union of "orchestrating" work slowdowns at Seattle and Tacoma, reports American Shipper.
PORTS
04 November 2014 - 19:09
Employers say ILWU 'orchestrates' slowdown at Tacoma and Seattle
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