THE Preventing Labour Union Slowdowns Act of 2015 (PLUS Act) that has been introduced in the United States Senate to help prevent a repeat of the docker slowdowns at the port of Portland and 28 other west coast ports that disrupted domestic and international trade earlier this year has been welcomed by ICTSI Oregon.
The PLUS Act, which was introduced by Idaho Senator James Risch, was the result of efforts by ICTSI Oregon, the Manila-based company that operates Terminal 6 in Portland, to focus congressional attention on the ongoing problem of maritime labour slowdowns.
"This legislation represents an important change to maritime labour law that will go a long way toward ensuring a more stable work environment at west coast ports, one in which innocent parties are not subjected to severe economic damage by unfair union slowdown tactics," said ICTSI Oregon CEO Elvis Ganda in a company statement.
The measure would amend the National Labour Relations Act (NLRA) to make intentional slowdowns by maritime unions an unfair labour practice. Offending labour organisations would be subjected to federal court injunctions against slowdowns as well as damage claims to injured parties.
"Intentional slowdowns are orchestrated campaigns by labour unions such as the International Warehouse and Longshore Union (ILWU) to essentially engage in a strike with little or no cost to their members. In contrast to a formal strike, however, union workers continue receiving full pay and benefits, even as they inflict significant damage on the local, regional and national economies," the release said.
"As a port operator, ICTSI Oregon has deep relationships with local small businesses, farmers, and the import and export community throughout the Columbia River region and western states. We identify with the significant pain they continue to experience as a result of the ILWU's actions during the most recent contract negotiations," said Mr Ganda.
"If enacted, the PLUS Act will help ensure that a small number of workers cannot engage in unfair labour practices that threaten our nation's economic prosperity and hold our economy hostage," he said.
The terminal operator said a "loophole in the NLRA has allowed the ILWU to use slowdowns as leverage against ports and port operators - particularly during contract negotiations".
It added "economists report that slowdowns subtracted a full percentage point off the entire US GDP during Q4 2014".
PORTS
28 June 2015 - 23:04
ICTSI backs efforts to declare labour slowdowns unfair, illegal
THE Preventing Labour Union Slowdowns Act of 2015 (PLUS Act) that has been introduced in the United States Senate to help prevent a repeat of the docker slowdowns at the port of Portland and 28 other west coast ports that disrupted domestic and international trade earlier this year has been welcomed by ICTSI Oregon.
PORTS
28 June 2015 - 23:04
ICTSI backs efforts to declare labour slowdowns unfair, illegal
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