More Supply Chain Disruption: About 45,000 workers begin strike at US ports after breakdown in union talks

[DrQ]

About 45,000 workers begin strike at US ports after breakdown in union talks​

Strike – first by port workers on US east coast since 1977 – threatens to shut down ports from Maine to Texas

About 45,000 workers begin strike at US ports after breakdown in union talks

Strike – first by port workers on US east coast since 1977 – threatens to shut down ports from Maine to Texas

www.theguardian.com

 

[joestein]

I dont think they are going to see much support. I have read that the average salaries and pensions for these workers are $145K and 80K, respectively.

Now they are striking because they want to increase wages $5/hr for 6 years vs the already large increases on the table. But, this is more about stopping automation of the docks. Everywhere in Europe the docks are getting automated - they should be here as well. The union wants a 100% ban on any automation.

Not to mention that the longshoreman regularly slow down their work if they get upset about something. A lot of the truck driers are stuck for hours waiting for containers - if they complain or say anything - they get the slow down.

The US has the slowest rate of unloading/loading in the world per various articles.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Many many years ago the New Orleans dockworkers went on strike. I was a child so didn’t really understand, but my dad told me part of the issue was they didn’t want the port containerized because they’d lose their jobs. I don’t know how successful the strike was, but it seems that a lot of shipping moved to Gulfport, which did containerize before NOLA did, and a lot of NOLA dockworkers lost their jobs anyway. I’m not sure how realistic it is for the current workers to try to prevent automation.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

I dont think they are going to see much support. I have read that the average salaries and pensions for these workers are $145K and 80K, respectively.

Not exactly, from the story: "Current wages under the contract that expired on Monday range from $20 an hour to the top wage of $39 an hour. The union is seeking raises of 77% over the six-year contract, to a top rate of $69 an hour by 2030."

Actually, people are on the union's side. For decades, politicians "on the right" brainwashed followers that workers do not need unions. But, over the last several years, with companies making millions in profits and raising prices far higher than inflation (in some respects fueling inflation), while not raising pay and benefits, workers are seeing that unions are needed. Amazon warehouse workers in many states have unionized, foreign automakers with USA plants have seen their workers unionize, even Starbucks and Chipotle workers have unionized. Essentially, if companies are going to rake in record profits by raising prices, workers are joining unions to get their fair share.

TS

 

[joestein]

Not exactly, from the story: "Current wages under the contract that expired on Monday range from $20 an hour to the top wage of $39 an hour. The union is seeking raises of 77% over the six-year contract, to a top rate of $69 an hour by 2030."

Actually, people are on the union's side. For decades, politicians "on the right" brainwashed followers that workers do not need unions. But, over the last several years, with companies making millions in profits and raising prices far higher than inflation (in some respects fueling inflation), while not raising pay and benefits, workers are seeing that unions are needed. Amazon warehouse workers in many states have unionized, foreign automakers with USA plants have seen their workers unionize, even Starbucks and Chipotle workers have unionized. Essentially, if companies are going to rake in record profits by raising prices, workers are joining unions to get their fair share.

TS

I am not arguing about the need for unions, though I have my own opinions on the matter. But in this case, the public is clearly not on the side of the union based upon the comments I have seen.

Also... we should be automating - yes it costs some jobs, but some jobs are created as well. Someone has to maintain all this automation.

 

[oceanlane96]

But in this case, the public is clearly not on the side of the union based upon the comments I have seen.

I think it depends on where/who you speak with. I'm a union member (public school teacher) and pretty much everyone I have spoken with is in support of the workers. Granted - we might be a biased group as union members ourselves - and my mother did teach me to "never cross a picket line" - but I've seen a lot of support from non-union people as well!

 

[davidvel]

Not exactly, from the story: "Current wages under the contract that expired on Monday range from $20 an hour to the top wage of $39 an hour. The union is seeking raises of 77% over the six-year contract, to a top rate of $69 an hour by 2030."

Actually, people are on the union's side. For decades, politicians "on the right" brainwashed followers that workers do not need unions. But, over the last several years, with companies making millions in profits and raising prices far higher than inflation (in some respects fueling inflation), while not raising pay and benefits, workers are seeing that unions are needed. Amazon warehouse workers in many states have unionized, foreign automakers with USA plants have seen their workers unionize, even Starbucks and Chipotle workers have unionized. Essentially, if companies are going to rake in record profits by raising prices, workers are joining unions to get their fair share.

TS

This is interesting. Two COMPLETELY different versions of the facts. In reading the contract cited in the article, it appears the $39 amount is only the base pay, and workers receive some percentage of overall port receipts. It is unclear what this amounts to. Also it does not state which workers are under this contract other than "longshoremen, clerks, checkers, and maintenance employees." $80,000+ a year may be a fair wage for them.
It is always telling to me that when news stories show the workers marching with picket signs, they never give an accurate description of what the workers make or ask them directly.

 

[easyrider]

The East Coast Longshoremen are getting ripped off considering the West Coast Longshoremen earn $55 per hour compared to the $39 per hour on the Est Coast. Fair is fair.

Bill

 

[jp10558]

I think fighting automation is never going to work, and I'm against it generally. However for work that cannot be automated, I'm all for trying to get better wages. There's a long way to go given wages were flat for ~50 years.

 

[davidvel]

The East Coast Longshoremen are getting ripped off considering the West Coast Longshoremen earn $55 per hour compared to the $39 per hour on the Est Coast. Fair is fair.

Bill

Says you.

 

[Superchief]

I am not arguing about the need for unions, though I have my own opinions on the matter. But in this case, the public is clearly not on the side of the union based upon the comments I have seen.

Also... we should be automating - yes it costs some jobs, but some jobs are created as well. Someone has to maintain all this automation.

I am also not against unions, but there is a lot more to this story. The dockworkers rejected a 50% increase over 6 years, which is a lot higher than most workers will receive. Demanding no automation is totally infeasible. These are the types of demands that killed the US auto industry. A strike right now will substantially inhibit the recovery efforts for those impacted by Helene and will substantially refuel inflation. The government has the authority to step in to force both parties back to the negotiating table, but this appears to be unlikely at this time.

Longshoremen union boss slammed for fiery, threat-filled statement: ‘Things are about to get wild’

Demands from the Longshoremen's union for more than a 50% raise found Americans suffering under Bidenomics, asserting "Shame on you."

www.bizpacreview.com

 

[Superchief]

The East Coast Longshoremen are getting ripped off considering the West Coast Longshoremen earn $55 per hour compared to the $39 per hour on the Est Coast. Fair is fair.

Bill

Have you compared the cost of living and tax rates on the West Coast to Savannah, GA and other southern port locations?

 

[1Kflyerguy]

The East Coast Longshoremen are getting ripped off considering the West Coast Longshoremen earn $55 per hour compared to the $39 per hour on the Est Coast. Fair is fair.

Bill

Pay rates are usually based on your location. I work for a major tech company, and we most definitely have different pay rates based on where you live. And your pay is adjusted if decide to move to a lower cost location.

 

[davidvel]

We don't even know if what Bill posted is accurate. His record demonstrates otherwise.

 

[Cornell]

The automation part of this really bugs me. Less efficient operations just mean higher prices for everyone.

Several generations preceding me, my ancestors owned a blacksmith shop. Guess what? The automobile was invented. They saw the writing on the wall and decided to adapt. 4 generations later they are still in the automotive business specializing in radiators.

 

[Superchief]

The automation part of this really bugs me. Less efficient operations just mean higher prices for everyone.

Several generations preceding me, my ancestors owned a blacksmith shop. Guess what? The automobile was invented. They saw the writing on the wall and decided to adapt. 4 generations later they are still in the automotive business specializing in radiators.

The ironic thing is that the union leader (who makes $900k per year) is hurting members in the long run. These unreasonable demands will increase the push to automate more jobs in order to reduce disruptions in the future.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

We don't even know if what Bill posted is accurate. His record demonstrates otherwise.

I am not sure of the exact details, but quick google search shows that the West Coast union just got a new contract last year at higher wages than the current wages for the east coast union. I did not take the time to compare the rates, but i imagine a each union would try to better the previous agreement.... Also with so much extra shifts, overtime, etc. The actual take home if often much great than the the hourly rate might look.

 

[DeniseM]

CLOSED: contentious social issue