BY refusing to stagger meal breaks as required US west coast dockers have slowed work to a standstill for periods every day in the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, claim maritime employers, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.
The employers Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) said the latest 'job action' by dockers of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) is linked to ongoing west coast contract negotiations.
Said the PMA: 'As a result, longshore workers at the Ports of LA and Long Beach are not working the terminals between 12 pm-1 pm and 10 pm-11 pm, creating significant delays. Because the contract is not in place, there is no option for PMA to arbitrate the matter and require the union to man the terminals continuously without interruption.'
PMA provided media with photographs showing trucks backed up at the Fenix Marine Terminal at the Port of Los Angeles and the ITS Terminal in Long Beach, long queues it said was the result dockers' refusal.
Longshore workers normally take staggered lunch breaks when the coastwide contract is in effect so as not to disrupt cargo handling. Typically, half of the longshore workers take their break from 11 am to noon and the other half from noon to 1 pm so terminal gates remain open for eight consecutive hours.
Said the ILWU: 'Workers in Los Angeles and Long Beach are working every day according to terms agreed upon with the PMA. Terminal operators, however, open and close their gates at will.'
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The employers Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) said the latest 'job action' by dockers of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) is linked to ongoing west coast contract negotiations.
Said the PMA: 'As a result, longshore workers at the Ports of LA and Long Beach are not working the terminals between 12 pm-1 pm and 10 pm-11 pm, creating significant delays. Because the contract is not in place, there is no option for PMA to arbitrate the matter and require the union to man the terminals continuously without interruption.'
PMA provided media with photographs showing trucks backed up at the Fenix Marine Terminal at the Port of Los Angeles and the ITS Terminal in Long Beach, long queues it said was the result dockers' refusal.
Longshore workers normally take staggered lunch breaks when the coastwide contract is in effect so as not to disrupt cargo handling. Typically, half of the longshore workers take their break from 11 am to noon and the other half from noon to 1 pm so terminal gates remain open for eight consecutive hours.
Said the ILWU: 'Workers in Los Angeles and Long Beach are working every day according to terms agreed upon with the PMA. Terminal operators, however, open and close their gates at will.'
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