ONE of four locals of the International Longshoremen's Association has gone on strike closing the port of Baltimore, which rated the ninth biggest in the US as it serves Washingon, DC.
While the master contract governing much of the work from Boston to Houston was settled in April, the contract between Steamship Trade Association of Baltimore and deep-sea Local 333 remains unsigned.
Maryland Port Administration spokesman Richard Scher said ILA, whose members from other local members joined the strike in support, represents 2,000 workers of the port's 14,000 employees.
Cargo operations at the Port of Baltimore were halted on Wednesday by a longshoremen's strike after contract negotiations stalled, Reuters reported.
"There is no cargo being handled or ships being worked at the public marine terminals at the port of Baltimore," said Mr Scher.
Local 333 ILA members gathered at the port entrances carrying signs saying: "No contract, no work."
"Over a year ago, the ILA placed Baltimore's deep sea Local 333 in trusteeship amid allegations of missing money from a scholarship fund from over 20 years ago. Since then, the International officers refuse to handle any grievances on the piers," said the Longshore Workers Coalition lobby's website.
ILA officials were unavailable for comment and the Baltimore Sun reported that striking longshoremen it contacted would only say their differences with management were too numerous to list.
"We're dealing with tons and tons of weight, and you can die in an instant," longshoreman Omahie Mitchell, 33, told the newspaper. "We're tired of being violated."
PORTS
17 October 2013 - 18:54
One of four ILA units shut down Baltimore port over local contract
ONE of four locals of the International Longshoremen's Association has gone on strike closing the port of Baltimore, which rated the ninth biggest in the US as it serves Washingon, DC.
PORTS
17 October 2013 - 18:54
One of four ILA units shut down Baltimore port over local contract
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