Ocean Imports / International Shipping / Freight Forwarders
Source by JOC
WASHINGTON — Shippers are pressuring the Obama administration to send in a federal mediator to help the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and U.S. West Coast employers reach a contract, as talks appear to be deteriorating and Los Angeles-Long Beach congestion persists.
The National Retail Federation has been keeping the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission and the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Transportation aware of shippers’ need for a labor contract and the easing of congestion at the largest U.S. container gateway, said Jon Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation. The agencies haven’t said whether they plan to make plans to send in a mediator, nor is it clear if Obama and his inner circle have been briefed on the labor contract and congestion issues, he said.
“Most of the agencies assumed (talks) were going smoothly as there were no press blow-ups,” Gold told JOC.com today. “We haven’t seen much progress, though.”
Shippers were encouraged when the ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association, which represents waterfront employers, said in late August they had come together on health benefits, he said. But PMA accusations from that the ILWU was engaging in slowdowns at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma — charges the ILWU rejects — have heightened shippers concerns, he said.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association Monday urged the FMC and the ports of LA-Long Beach to press negotiators to forge a contract, citing the need to help end “untenable
congestion” at the ports. FMC Chairman Mario Cordero wasn’t available for
comment.
Members of Congress, many of whom are focused on November mid-term elections today, have been relatively quiet on the lack of a labor contract and LA-Long Beach port congestion. The exception has been six California House representatives who on Oct 24 urged the heads of ILWU and PMA for a “swift and equitable resolution to ongoing negotiations. The letter to
ILWU President Robert McEllrath and PMA Chairman and CEO James McKenna was
signed by Democrats Janice Hahn, Alan Lowenthal, Grace Napolitano, Linda Sanchez, Mark Takano and Juan Vargas.
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Opinion:
In today' s environment, what is the upside of having a Union holding such a high stake at the Long Beach / LA port?
Shippers / Consumers should be first & not be used for politics adding costs to the shippers /consumers.
Is the he ILWU a rather ineffective, obsolete organization? As understood long ago from large ports in Europe that the global economy keeps pricing in-check, no longer Union organizations are necessary. To run their port, one of the largest port in the world uses independent companies with far higher standards, safety & security included. Workers are protected by labor laws & a Union would seem redondant. Is it any different here?
And so, I ask the question, should a petition from the people be put out to dismantle the ILWU? Had this been on the November 4th ballot, how would you have voted on this issue to keep or not to keep the ILWU? Competitive freight rates in a global free markets self aligning. Independent freight handlers at the port would fall under the same alignment principal & no sabotage at the Long Beach / LA port.
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