This is in addition to the continued strike by unionized tugboat workers, affiliated with the Canadian Merchant Service Guild in ports in British Columbia. The Middle Harbor Terminal Zero Emission Conversion Project, part of a $94 million federal effort in California to improve port facilities through the Maritime Administrations Port Infrastructure Development Program, is being touted as a way to improve supply chain reliability through increased port capacity and resilience. ", "The ILWU is working and negotiating, and we've done both successfully for nearly 90 years" said ILWU Coast Committeeman Cameron Williams. The government's decision to allow entry is a rejection of concerted American pressure to deny access to the sanctioned vessels. Phillip Sanfield, a spokesman for the Port of Los Angeles, said the Maritime Exchange of Southern California reported there were 23 vessels in the port, including 17 at berth and six at anchor. While imports declined 1.8% to 376,175 TEUs and exports dipped .5% to 109,411 TEUs, those declines were offset by a 2.8% increase in empty containers that moved through the port totaling 300,257 TEUs port officials said. The fire was reported at 5:23 a.m. by a United Grain longshore barge operator, and fire crews arrived to find a working fire in a conveyor between a grain silo on shore and a barge, operated by Shaver Transportation, in the water, according to the fire department and United Grain. The terminal operators bargain together, represented by PMA. ILWUs Longshore Division identified safety, wages, benefits, jurisdiction and technology as priorities for the new contract. From a general perspective, PMA President and CEO Jim McKenna said then, I think the relationship between the two sides is very healthy., The two parties, which have seen their share of contentious negotiations in the past, had overcome obstacles, McKenna said, and that has solidified our ability to work together.. Dockworkers went out on strike in 1971. Its very market driven. An excerpt: More at the Vancouver Business Journal, For the first time, two cruise ships can now simultaneously use shore power in San Diego rather than running their diesel engines while at berth. Several hundred workers at the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) are on strike as of Sept. 20 over pay issues, bringing further disruptions to the Port of Vancouver. International Committee of the Fourth International, [Photo: Department of Labor / Jason Redmond]. Last month, Biden signed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act meant to make shipping goods across oceans cheaper and blasted the concentration of corporate shipping in the hands of nine foreign-owned companies. More at The Economist, After two years of agriculture exporters enduring ocean carriers systematic neglect of exports in favor of higher value import cargo, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is offering key changes to the Federal Maritime Commissions (FMC) proposed rulemaking to define an unreasonable refusal to negotiate or deal with respect to vessel space accommodations. The ILWU Coast Longshore Division represents 22,000 ILWU workers at 29 ports on the West Coast. The Biden administration has made careful preparations for the dock contract over the course of the past year, and is in daily discussion with both the union and the PMA, according to Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. Looming Longshoreman Strike Threatens Energy, Semi-Conductor Chips Monday, February 14, 2022, By Lily Datz Share COVID 19 labor strike semi-conductor supply chain management Pat Penfield The month of June has already seen port strikes in Germany and Greece, a truckers strike in South Korea, which virtually shut down the countrys ports, as well as the first national railway strike in decades in Britain. March 4, 2022. The Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union will begin labor negotiations Tuesday for 22,000 dockworkers at 29 West Coast ports, including the U.S.' two . Published These logistical workers earn about $41 per hour, a solid middle-class income. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. Meanwhile, the ILWU claims that SSA Marine, a member of the Pacific Maritime Association, "circumvented the assignment of work" by having the National Labor Relations Board get involved and award the cold ironing jobs to another union, work that should have gone to their members according to contract terms. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. Matching last years record setting pace, the port has handled over 5.4 million TEUs as of June 2022. More at KXRO>, A $30 million federal grant will go toward a project to replace diesel yard tractors with electric ones and to construct electric equipment charging infrastructure in Long Beach, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Friday, Oct. 28. Brazil has allowed a small Iranian Navy task force to enter the port of Rio de Janiero and berth alongside, and multiple citizens photographed the warships' transit into Guanabara Bay. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. For just $3.50 per week, you can get unlimited, ad-lite access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. The worlds looking at us to make sure that were moving the cargo," he said. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Biden hasnt gotten directly involved, although he met with ILWU and PMA and heard about negotiations during a June 10 visit to the Port of Los Angeles. More at The Dispatcher, A conveyor fire at a Port of Vancouver USA grain elevator operated by United Grain Corp. was reported the morning of Oct. 13 and brought under control by emergency responders after more than 90 minutes, The Columbian reported. Source: American Journal of Transportation, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Port of Long Beach Proposes to Build Largest Offshore Wind Turbine Assembly Hub in USA, Port of Vancouver USA continues to see lots of activity as 2023 kicks off, Port of San Diego Completes Shore Power Expansion at Cruise Ship Terminals, Economist: Global shipping costs are returning to pre-pandemic levels, Agriculture secretary asks for more stringent guidelines for ocean carriers, Freight company Wabtec discloses June cyberattack impacting US, overseas operations, Port of Long Beach Channel Deepening Project Receives Federal Authorization, Japans ONE Network Purchases Controlling Interest in Three California Terminals, Ports Announce Container Dwell Fee Program to End Jan. 24, Manufacturing orders from China down 40% in unrelenting demand collapse, New terminal adds to evolution of Everett waterfront, Port of Oakland Turns to Agriculture to Replace Lost Cargo Volumes, Port of Stockton Awarded $9.6 Million Grant for Rail Upgrade, 5 Washington state Ports to Receive $71.4 Million to Boost to Maritime Economy, Port of Portland receives $24.3 million to improve infrastructure, $25.5 million for Port of Grays Harbor project part of national funding, Port of Long Beach gets $30 million from feds for infrastructure project, ILWU Local 7s years-long efforts pay off with new regular cargo service, Fire damages Port of Vancouver USA grain elevator, Port of San Diego prepares for biggest cruise season since 2010, NPR features four ILWU workers on the impacts of automation, Grays Harbor AGP expansion gets assistance, Port of Los Angeles Awarded $20 Million Infrastructure Grant, Union Chief Willie Adams Steers a Tough Course Through Port Labor Negotiations, Port of Longview reports another record-breaking financial quarter, Port of LA attempts to balance supply chain influx, employment, NWSA suffers another blow to cargo volumes, Port of Long Beach Records Busiest July on Record, Port of Hueneme container business is up 51% and revenues rise 28% In 2022, Source: American Journal of Transportation. As congestion at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports is finally showing signs of easing, industry experts are looking ahead to next year's contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse . But thats all part of a larger conflict over ILWUs contention that employers have not lived up a 2008 commitment to support dockworkers in jurisdictional disputes with other unions. The record high 109 ships. Seattle's 175-foot Great Wheel and the Port of Seattle are seen on the waterfront on March 11, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Containers that used to dwell for eight or more days are now waiting four to five days on average. There is a long history of contentious labor negotiations and disruptions at the ports. More at KOIN 6, Included in the funding is $25,500,000 for the Grays Harbor Terminal 4 Expansion & Redevelopment Project in Aberdeen. But both sides continued to talk and said they want to avoid a strike that could savage an economy already stressed by soaring inflation and supply chain woes. The Biden administration has been watching the process carefully. The ILWU also negotiated an insulting one-time $250 COVID dedication bonus. The ILWU represents dockworkers at West Coast ports in the U.S. and Canada, including Los Angeles and Long Beach. One of the first demands that must be raised is for a strike vote. The total empty and loaded container volume for FY 2022 was 207,695 TEUs up from 137, 344 TEUs in FY 2021. I think you can win the war and still keep the peace. Three years later, union members voted to accept a three-year extension for the contract to July 1, 2022, in exchange for increases in wages and pensions while maintaining health benefits at current levels. Port of Long Beach (POLB) announced Dec. 28 that its Channel Deepening Project is one of five navigation projects nationwide to receive federal authorization under the 2022 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that was signed into law on Dec. 23. The Project will improve the Port of Stocktons lead track by replacing and upgrading approximately 13,400 feet of existing rail. New supply chain risk: 22,000 dockworkers who could go on strike. But Seattle operations are experiencing heightened export dwell times, currently at 11 days. That diversion of containers to Long Beach, in addition to the continued re-routing of containers to the East Coast, led to the Port of New York to take the No. "Over the last few weeks, it appears productivity and port activity has been consistent respectively across the ports at Oakland, Seattle, Long Beach, and even Los Angeles, which recently had a labor slowdown. The ruling class does not share the unions touching concern for the supposed greater good, but has taken advantage of shortages to engage in price gouging and drive profits up to record levels. In addition, 5,793,621 TEUs moved through the port during the first seven months of the year up 4.6% over the same period last year. However, the ports need to have a 24-7 mindset" to deal with Asian traffic, where ports operate around the clock, he said. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) employer group met for the first time on Tuesday. The PMA told Bloomberg that it has already submitted its first proposal to the ILWU. The finger-pointing comes at a time when labor negotiations between the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association (which represents the terminals and ocean carriers) are about to enter a fourth month. We have always been very aware of and protected our maritime business, said Julianna Marler, CEO of the Port of Vancouver. SAN PEDRO, Calif.- May 11, 2021 - Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka met with the membership of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Locals 13, 63 and 94 to thank the dockworkers, clerks, and foremen for their unwavering commitment to processing the nation's essential cargo throughout the . With global demand, overseas freight shipping firms are seeing record profits. The union argues that it will cost the jobs of crane operators and other workers, who can earn $100,000 or more per year. More at KXRO, The Port of Los Angeles and a range of elected officials and industry leaders joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today to celebrate the award of a $20 million federal RAISE infrastructure grant for a critical road-railway grade separation project at the Port. Make your voice heard! 4 min read . However, a lockout in 2002 and an eight-day strike in 2015 cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars and forced the administrations of then-presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama to intervene. The parties remain focused on and committed to reaching an agreement.. Those concerns are reflected in Vilsacks recommendations. U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh remained optimistic about contract negotiations between workers and shipping companies for some of . Cordero said he hadn't seen any work slowdowns at the port and was optimistic that the current negotiations would end with a fairly quick resolution. Many expect these challenges to continue through the rest of the year.. A similar project to upgrade a different track cost around $358,000 and was approved in May of 2022 after port officials stated that it would improve the railroad's overall . Their current contract expires July 1 and theyve been bargaining since May. And in 2002 Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) employers locked out workers of the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union (ILWU . Port operations continue without disruption and we expect this to remain so as the parties continue to work towards an agreement, Noel Hacegaba, deputy executive director of the Long Beach port, said in a written statement. Nov 24, 2021 1:23 PM by Labor union ILWU is being accused of slowdown tactics at Oakland and Seattle-Tacoma ports. These issues, he noted, reduced prices paid to producers, compromised bottom lines for ag companies, and damaged U.S. agricultures standing with global customers. In addition to the standard issues of wages and benefits, experts have predicted that the union will likely take a strong stance against automation of port operations. But in reality these issues themselves are the product of policies, including deliberately allowing COVID to spread rather than carrying out needed public health measures and the outbreak of war against Russia, directed to the benefit of the corporate elite, which can only be opposed by mobilizing the working class against it. In an interview with Transport Topics published the day before the ILWU-PMA statement was made public, Harbor Trucking Association President Matt Schrap lent his support to a so-called double flex proposal. Both the ports of L.A. and Long Beach, the two busiest, expressed confidence that a contract agreement will be reached without disruption to port operations. The talks are so crucial that President Joe Biden even stepped in last month and met with both sides in Los Angeles. Longshoremen walked-off early in the morning in hopes of making an incredibly powerful point: they want a labor agreement from the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) that represents the port's cargo ship carriers and terminal operators. A Thursday, Oct 27, report from the Marine Exchange of Southern California said a new record low was set with just one container ship "backed up" as of noon that day. More at the Port of San Diego, From The Economist: Bloomberg News is reporting having seen an exchange of letters between the union and the Pacific Maritime Association confirming what most industry analysts expected which is that the union wants a new collective bargaining agreement with the employers. Some experts have speculated that the ILWA might open the new talks seeking rollbacks on some of its prior automation concessions. We want to hear from you. While there will be no contract extension, cargo will keep moving, and normal operations will continue at the ports until an agreement can be reached, said a joint statement from the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. In fact, in a joint statement with the PMA released two weeks ago, the ILWU declared that it had no intention of even preparing for a strike.While the ILWU and PMA are unlikely to reach a deal before the July 1 expiration of the current agreement, the statement says, [n]either party is preparing for a strike or a lockout, contrary to speculation in news reports.. In January, some 100 ships were waiting to get into the port complex, but that total is now down to 60 or even as low as 20 at times, Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said Tuesday. Published The strikers won a coastwide contract, union hiring halls and higher pay. The CNBC Supply Chain Heat Map receives data on the daily productivity of ports ranging from vessel anchorage, vessel time in port, the wait time for import and export containers in terminals, as well as rail wait times, and truck pickups. It added that since the beginning of 2021, Westshore Terminals has increased its dividend three times and issued two special dividends with the total dividends paid in excess of $220.5 million. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Along the Columbia River, those include the ports in Astoria, Longview, Vancouver, Portland, Kalama, St. Helens and Rainier. Talks are scheduled to continue daily in San. While current shifts on the West Coast ports are normally 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. and 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. after the new hoot shift was implemented last year following discussions between the ILWU and Biden administration, the new double flex option would allow terminal operators to begin scheduling dockers at 6 a.m.Its on the table to start earlier, Shrap told Transport Topics, adding that it was hard to believe that a major marine terminal that handles 40% of the nations cargo opens at 8 a.m. Those are bankers hours; 7 a.m. is better, and 6 a.m. is probably the best we can get at this time and its a step in the right direction.. No doubt the joint statement was worked out in close consultation with the White House. Delayed cruise departure biggest pressure point in labour dispute at Seaspan, Seaspan tugboat workers start strike after 'impasse' in negotiations, Stressed forestry communities look for B.C. Last week, multiple reports say that several U.S. soybean producer groups are planning to help fund the construction of the terminal that would be used to ship soybean meal exports. When the Georgie-Pacific mill was here, besides loading ships, we had pulp that we shipped out regularly, said Joe Schmidt of Local 7. According to POLB, the Channel Deepening Project will deepen the Long Beach Approach Channel from 76 to 80 feet. He had. The reason that 14,000 longshoremen were able to take on the shipping industry is that they are an indispensable part of the supply chain; they are the gatekeepers of 29 ports that together. A group of 23 U.S. Senate Republicans wrote to President Joe Biden on June 7, urging federal intervention to avoid economic disruption. A similar project to upgrade a different track cost around $358,000 and was approved in May of 2022 after port officials stated that it would improve the railroads overall safety. The terminal operators bargain together, represented by PMA. Then on January 18 Edgar. Westshore Terminals Investment Corp. is Vancouver-based and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. budget help, tap here to see other videos from our team, Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account and fewer ads, Get exclusive access to the National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on, Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists, Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists, Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword, Access articles from across Canada with one account, Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments, Get email updates from your favourite authors. As several major container ports in the US are experiencing elevated levels of congestion since the late-pandemic cargo boom, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is considering emergency measures to contain disruption. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, will reportedly be used to strengthen and upgrade pavement used for cargo storage at Terminal 6, located near Kelley Point. by Moeller-Maersk A/S and the automation part of the terminal has been operating since 2020. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) have launched previews of the arguments . Feb 28, 2023 9:17 PM by According to Vilsack, agricultural shippers over the past two years have continually dealt with broken export contracts, canceled bookings, inadequate receiving windows, and shortages of empty containers and other equipment. (AP Photo/Damian . This process can only lead to massive concessions. No new talks, in fact, had been scheduled for October, though there are hopes they will resume next month, according to a source with ties to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, who requested anonymity because the two negotiating parties have agreed to not publicly discuss the talks. Say you have a good like grain, for example, and we might have a bad year of crops. Longshore & Shipping News shares excerpts from media sources around the world. West Coast Dockworkers Still Talking After Contract Expires, FILE - A truck arrives to pick up a shipping container near vessels moored at Maersk APM Terminals Pacific at the Port of Los Angeles, on Nov. 30, 2021. The project will entail construction of a four-lane, rail-roadway grade separation, which will allow unimpeded truck access to an 80-acre marine support facility (MSF) on Terminal Island, a central location serving all terminals in the San Pedro Bay port complex. It's a fair assertion that a West Coast port closure and a national rail strike, would quickly return the U.S. to the bad old days of the supply chain crisis, perhaps even worse. Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), ONE will acquire a 51 percent stake in both TraPac and Yusen Terminals. Negotiations are set to begin Tuesday, May 10, in San Francisco to hammer out a new contract for some 22,000 dockworkers at . The company said it contacted the FBI soon after discovering the attack. While Westshore Terminal has not suffered and has continued to prosper, the union membership in their personal and work lives have faced many difficulties over the past few years, such as working through an unprecedented pandemic, cost of living increases and skyrocketing inflation, noted the pamphlet. July 1, 2022 2:58 PM PT The union representing about 22,000 West Coast dockworkers and their employers will continue negotiations for a new labor contract past Friday's expiration of their. Were on the side of America and good jobs over automating away jobs for the sake of foreign profits, he said. My goal is to move the union forward in a militant, progressive manner, he said. They are taking place against the backdrop of surging imports that left backlogs of ships anchored offshore, and declining exports. Westshore Terminals handles more than 33 million tonnes of coal annually from its docks at Roberts Banks in Delta, even though it has been transitioning to other commodities such as potash. With the contentious issues of automated cargo handling, wages and benefits, few thought this years contract talks between dockworkers and employers would be quick or easy. That $400-million increase represents just over a. February 28, 2023. Published November 2, 2022 Transportation KTVU FOX 2 Oakland longshoremen walk-off portends possible strike KTVU's Tom Vacar reports. In 2002, President George W. Bush used the Taft-Hartley Act to end a 10-day employer lockout of workers. Measured by this standard, we can all appreciate the policys success, and best of all, the fee was never implemented. The pandemic presented a particular challenge that saw the ranks of longshore workers and port terminals pulling together as cargo surged and ships congregated outside the breakwater waiting to be unloaded. Could congestion that plagued West Coast ports in 2021 actually get worse in 2022? Read more about cookies here. The plans include upgrades to its current facilities at Terminal 2, including the construction of additional storage, and the addition of a new state-of-the-art ship loader at POGHs Terminal 4. Since May 10, 2022, labor negotiations have been ongoing between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents more than 22,000 West Coast port workers, and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), which represents port terminals and ocean carriers. Conversely, to keep dockworkers on the job would also hurt the position of workers in related industries such as trucking, the railroads and warehouses. Theyre all gone on automated terminals. We are confident that we will reach a coastwide agreement as we have for nearly 90 years.. "We are shocked that SSA is taking such an action, and we are currently regrouping to determine how to proceed in negotiations while we watch an employer violate the very provision of the contract over which the parties were bargaining," Williams said. 2023 CNBC LLC. The record high 109 ships waiting to enter the ports came on Jan. 9, 2022. Soaring demand has led to traffic jams at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which in 2021 alone moved some 20 million cargo containers. Its estimated between 100 to 200 workers are on strike. The Pittsburgh-based company discovered the attack on June 26 and following an internal investigation realized malware was introduced as early as March 15, 2022. More news, fewer ads: Our in-depth journalism is possible thanks to the support of our subscribers. The proposed terminal includes heavy-lift wharves supporting large cranes to receive and handle large offshore wind components and construct the worlds largest floating offshore wind turbine systems, the port said. Longshore and warehouse union on strike, suspending operations at Delta coal terminal Westshore is described as the largest coal export terminal on the west coast of North America, taking coal. Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Swap meet at historic Alpine Village, near Torrance, says goodbye, Redondo in No. The ports, collectively known as the San Pedro Bay port complex, alone handle more than 30% of waterborne containerized imports and exports in the U.S. Were starting all over again, Schmidt said. The Port of Los Angeles diverted 40,000 containers to the Port of Long Beach in August when dockworkers at the Port of LA refused to work at the automated section of APM Terminals, the largest container-handling facility citing safety concerns. The picket line is beyond a security access area for the GCT Deltaport, which is also located on Roberts Banks. The current contract, which covers some 22,000 workers at 29 West Coast ports, expired in July and while no one expected a new agreement to be in place that soon, news of the recent hiccup will further extend the process. Caravos Harmony left Port Elizabeth, South Africa on February 10 and got under way for Brazil. Meanwhile, a strike vote for railroad workers has been called in the US. Voyages from MSC Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Scenic Luxury Cruises, Oceania Cruises and American Queen Voyages are also on the port calendar. The PMA said the "apparent attempt to try to exact leverage in local negotiations is counterproductive.". A particular appeal must be made to unite all workers, union and nonunion, at the ports, including the thousands of casuals which form a super-exploited layer of the workforce, independently of the ILWU. Bloomberg reports that the PMA, whose board is largely made up of the ocean carriers, wrote to the ILA proposing a one-year extension citing the current difficulties in the supply chain and the importance of maintaining stable operations at this time.
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