LBPOST.com: Port Strike Continues, Not Affecting Shipping Traffic

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Port Strike Continues, Not Affecting Shipping Traffic

by Ryan ZumMallen | Long Beach News | 07.06.10 |

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1:30pm | Talks between shipping companies and striking clerical workers at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles resumed today, though both sides are reportedly frustrated at the lack of progress. Negotiators began another bargaining session at 1:00pm today.

Clerical workers have been on strike now for six days, though there has been no apparent effect on shipping traffic thus far.

The dispute comes over job security, as employees are worried that their positions could be outsourced and are asking for a guarantee that they are safe. Employers told the Associated Press that such a request isn't fair. From a story by Jacob Adelman:

"The union continues to press demands on who we hire and when we hire them, whether there is any need or not," Berry said.

The shippers are also seeking to use new computer programs allowing customers to access booking information, a move that the union has said would endanger jobs.

The report also says that shipping traffic has not been affected because clerical work is normally done several days in advance, and that employers are striking just two of fourteen shipping companies. Union leaders say they have offered packages that eliminate pay raises for their employees as an olive branch, but employers say that the offer included major increases in health care packages.

The AP also reports that under the expired contract, clerical workers received an average $96,900 salary along with full medical coverage, 21 paid holidays, 13 sick days and four weeks of vacation.

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43 Comments so far.

LBNative
This whole thing just smacks of General Motors. These Unions are out of control. This amounts to nothing more than legalized extortion. These Unions are out of touch with the real world. There really is no need for them today. When are they going to learn that there are no guarantees in life. When it comes to security.....take some responsibility and create your own security. Their timing could not be worse. They should be ashamed of themselves. Next time around we will be hearing about how "over-worked" they are. Wake up Clerical Workers, you are already over paid.

lbresident
According to my sources in Port, clerical work can be done out of state by computer at significantly less cost. That will have an impact on local employment. The union has not been able to garner longshoreman support in this strike and needs to compromise on its pay or lose everything as in Detroit.

Astounded
It is beyond my (and everyone I talk to about this) understanding that anyone earning over $96,000.00 and that has a "Cadillac" health plan (Platinum is more like it) AND also has a stellar pension plan (who gets pensions anymore these days?) would go on strike. These overpaid primadonnas are completely out of touch with reality in today's job marketplace, and they are endangering many times the number of jobs through their irresponsible actions. The union leaders' greed and their disregard of the needs of U.S. manufacturers and exporters and the general health of California's economy is reckless at best.

PKL
I am just holding onto my job with increased medical costs, cut in my pay due to furlough days,get the minimum amount of holidays, and am no where close to 4 weeks vacation. Wake up clerical workers - look around and get with the picture.

K. Marshall
This is crazy, what gives the unions the right to act like this! The union Clerks are getting $25-$30.00++ per hour, while most clerks get $7.00 to $10.00 per hour and that may not include medical.UNION WORKERS GO GET A REAL JOB! while many corporations are offering pay cuts to employees just so they can keep thier jobs, the union workers want job security. I'm a home business in LB, my job security is to rely on my own talents not ride on someones coat tail.

L.B. Native
What good is the money and benefits if you don't have a job in order to earn it. If you don't work so many hours per year your benies lapse and the money is not guaranteed. Unions have raised the standard for everyone working and if it wasn't for unions there would be nothing but slave labor by employers.

CHARLIE
It's just pure selfishness/liberalism and to hell with anyone else - It's sort of like what Obama & the Union did to GM & trying to do to Arizona...I can hardly wait for NOV. 2nd :>)

LB Human
Astounded Wrote: ... anyone earning over $96,000.00 and that has a "Cadillac" health plan ... AND also has a stellar pension plan (who gets pensions anymore these days?) would go on strike.... The union leaders' greed and their disregard of the needs of U.S. manufacturers and exporters and the general health of California's economy is reckless at best. K. Marshall wrote: ... what gives the unions the right to act like this! The union Clerks are getting $25-$30.00++ per hour, while most clerks get $7.00 to $10.00 per hour and that may not include medical....while many corporations are offering pay cuts to employees just so they can keep thier jobs, the union workers want job security. L.B. Native wrote: Unions have raised the standard for everyone working and if it wasn't for unions there would be nothing but slave labor by employers. These are all valid points. it comes down to people and the choices they make. what every human needs is food, water & shelter, everything else is bonus. when we have what we have, we want more. there is no end to our desire, be it clerks, some corporation owners or union leaders. what is just, is not always seen as right. we all need to look at ourselves and then work from there. :)

RED
Please don't assume u know what our jobs entail..we have the right to try and protect our jobs from being outsourced...how soon people forget what it was like before unions. Don't hate on us because we make a good salary..u would not if it were u...I am 54 years old and started out of college when I was 20 yrs old..WE ARE NOT JUST CLERKS we are very knowlegable about the shipping business..we make sure the logistics go smoothly to move cargo all over the world.. Stop hating...

Not Needed
Lemme see here..It's been six days the overpaid clerks have been on strike and it hasn't affected the port. Who needs them at all? Fire them all and get the job computerized and save some $$!

Hal B.
Fire all these high paid "clerks" and move on to "state of the art computers"

Bob
If this is what they have earned over time it is what they are entitled to, BUT, my guess is most of these people making close to 100k live life knowing they will have a pension and cushy Health Care to fall back on when they retire, and most probably haven't saved a cent. The prospect of watching their jobs go away has them scared. So many people out in the work search would gladly train to do these jobs for a fraction of what they are paying out now. Get a clue. The Unions need to grasp the reality of what is happening and adjust or guess what? No more contracts, bye bye jobs.

red
To all of u commenting here on things u don't know...Please don't believe everything read.. we are for tecnology but not at the expense of our jobs..why do you think we she should not make the salary we make..why because they call us clerks..believe me..we are much more..we are the backbone..and believe me..we know our jobs inside and out...why are u siding with the big corporations who are hell bent on outsourcing and paying minimum wage to workers out of this country..wake up people..aren't enough jobs gone..

Realy
Red, Please describe how walking out of a job and demanding more money saves your job. Knowing the logistics/shipping world is great but it seems as though they have been able to "squek" by without you thus far so what leverage do you have. Whether it be a $1 and hour, $3 an hour or whatever, it's crazy to demand more money in this economy especially with the increase in health care every year. I am unfortunately on COBRA right now to the tune of $884.00/month. What is your out of pocket/check cost? Significantly more I suspect. Any, please explain to us because we have only read and you are an insider!

JUST WORKING
To "Red" and colleagues: You state that you are looking for job security. Certainly we all are looking for job security. However, when you are part of the highest paid clerical workers in the United States, it is difficult to understand why you would jeopardize your job, your position, your union and others in your industry but asking for: 1) a 21% pay raise (on a salary averaging over $96,000.00) 2) better health benefits (which are better that everyone else's already) 3) better pension benefits (most people in America no longer even have a pension) We all want something better for our families. Your union's greed and selfishness, however, goes beyond what can be considered remotely reasonable. It is not like you are earning subsistence wages where a union certainly would be warranted. The union only is interested in themselves and your dues. Are you aware that the port's union boss has a union-funded, chauffeur-driven limousine (for instance?). All those union boss's perks come out of your salary. Those salaries are (ultimately) paid for by exporters and importers, and the higher your salary gets, the fewer United States-based trade jobs there are. Please keep things in perspective, or your job WILL be outsourced eventually!

Perspective
As I read in this post, many people seem to be against Unions for reasons that i don't understand. "Take some responsibility and create your own security" one person writes, yet don't strike that's wrong especially in this economy. How is it that we live in a "union" USA and fail to see what unions have to offer and why they were created. Perhaps this may not seem to be the best time for the clerks to stand there ground, but if that's the case when is that time. Not having the security of a contract and the growing expense of Health Care, what better time to stand ones ground, and make a public announcement of a strike that will not affect the shipping company or our economy.

Ron
All valid points with interesting perspectives, however I don't think people are "hating" on the Unions, to the contrary, we are all envious that you have been able to command such a great wage and benefit package for doing clerical work that in the rest of the economy would earn you a third or less of what you make. The point missed here is that by demanding such high wages and benefits, causes corporations to seek a cheaper resource; maybe it's not fair, but it is the free market system. We are capitalists here in the USA last time I checked, albeit headed for socialism with the current administration and trends in government programs. Unions served their purpose and perhaps still have some validity, but they need to keep it in perspective. The only reason that the Longshore union remains strong is because they threaten to stop the flow of commerce and therefore the economy if they don't get their way. Well, as their last contract lockout proved, America will not stand for it, someday the bubble will burst, your burden too great, your gravy train will be over; When you say? only your greed can dictate that!

Red
Realy... first of all we have not walked out of our jobs.....we are still working..second we are not asking for tthe reported 21 percent increase. As a matter of fact any raise was taken off the table....We do not want workers hired when there is no work as reported....the shipping business has picked back up significantly and and all we are asking is that we can call temporary workers from the hall when needed...when the economy began tanking we agreed with the companies to temporarily put a moratorium on temp workers, we took one day a month off., we postponed our raise $1 raise that was due last july...and when got it in june..it was not retroactive..believe me we have been working with the companies. This is not about money but about saving our jobs...We have no problem with the customer accessing bookings thru an automated system..(more lies). This is about this so called automation.. granted some of it is..but the majority of it has been taken over by actual persons in other countries...they are doing the majority of the work we used to do and disguising it as automation. Like I said before..please do not believe everything you read...We are not greedy..we are trying to keep what we have left of our jobs,,

Understanding?
Dear union member Red: The "hardship" that the Union refers to is having to POSTPONE an increase in wages. Those wages are already the highest in the USA for that type of work, in addition to the golden benefits that the union members receive. The hard reality is that a large percentage of shipping folks in the private sector have either been laid off or their salaries have been REDUCED by an average of 10% across the board AND their benefits (if they had any) have been slashed. You defend your position by saying people are telling "lies". You want to "keep what you have left" yet you are asking for increases and/or better packages. How does that just "keep what you have left"? It seems to most people that you just want more than your already generous package. That hardly qualifies as a sound policy for staying competitive or trying to keep your job. We all want you to keep your job, believe me. The reason companies want to outsource is because your pay package is far and away more expensive than anywhere else in the land. This is why many companies have re-located to Idaho, Georgia, Arizona, Texas, South Carolina, etc. Your union's approach needs some radical re-thinking before ALL the shipping jobs are chased out of California. To keep the jobs here the union simply cannot ask for even more than what they have. It seems simple enough.

Old Mizer
Not only could the jobs be outsourced, out of the State, they may be outsourced out of the Country. It reminds me of a cartoon I saw. Showing a man sitting on the sands of India. With his laptop in front of him that said Dell on the back of it. Call up technical advise some time. I can promise you who ever answers the line will be on a different continent. I think many would say the same thing as myself while collecting unemployment, "Be GLAD you have a job!!"

OK
over paid doesnt even begin to describe this workforce. Office Clerical Union Employees could be replaced by your average High School student. They are data entry clerks. Their Union also is unethical presenting to their Employers a final contract demand 3 1/2 hrs before the contract expired which for the 1st time contained wages and benefit demands. They then went on strike at 4 terminals without even waiting for Employer counter proposal. Unions had a purpose 60-70 yrs ago federal and state laws protect American worker from the "slave labor" some of fine Union workers who posted are so concerned about. Also only 12% of this country is in a Union so this is not a Union country. Unions have destroyed manufacturing jobs in this country.

RED
OK - We are not data entry clerks..maybe you should spend a day in our office to actually see what our job entails before spouting off. I highly doubt that you could step in and do it.. That being said.. I will sign off now because obviously there are a lot of people here that agree that we should not fight for our jobs and we should let them be outsourced like all the rest of the american jobs. Keep on railing against your own interest....I won't.... you want to keep your minimum wage job... keep it... I don't..see you haters.....

ok
Red I will pass on spending a day in your office doing your highly skilled job of reading emails and changing booking numbers and port of destination. Your not fighting for any jobs your Employer agreed to a no layoff clause, and Unions are a main reason jobs leave this country i.e. data entry clerks have the potential to shut down the largest port complex in the U.S. Railing against your absurd demands is not against my interest nor the interest of 88% of the American workforce who know Unions are a outdated concept

RED
OK question for you? If offered a DATA ENTRY CLERK position at $40 per hour would you turn it down? I think not...that's the problem..too many people here hating on other peoples wages...its really. Is non of your concern..

ok
Trust me Red I dont want your job nor would I take your data entry job for $40.00 an hr. I am doing just fine. The fact is your Union is unreasonable and continues to ask for more, more, and more despite the current state of global economy. You complain about all the lies being told what about your lie about "fighting for your job" when your employer has given you a no layoff clause yet you currently are striking 3 companies involving 5 terminals. Not to mention 2 Arbitration decision have been issued that your union in negotiating in bad faith and ordered ILWU Longshore division to cross all picket lines. I wonder why people have no sympathy for your highly skilled workforce

Still not understanding
It seems to me that when the union has not coherent argument against all the reasonable questions and points, they simply state that everyone is lying and that they are "haters". If the union had a legitimate argument they just yell these terms at a higher pitch. How about some real background reasons?

Unbelievable!
Here is the latest Journal of Commerce report: Tensions with port employers worsen as walkout enters second week Tensions increased in the strike by office clerical workers at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports on Friday as the union picketed a third employer and withdrew its previous wage and benefits proposal. The OCU on Thursday began icketing China Shipping Agency, which performs agency work for China Ocean Shipping Co. The OCU since last week has been picketing Yusen Terminals and the Ports America facilities. Dockworkers briefly honored the picket lines, but the arbitrator, who had already ruled the OCU was not bargaining in good faith, ordered the dockworkers to return to their jobs. At the same time, the OCU withdrew its offer to maintain wage and pension levels and left no new proposal on the table, said Stephen Berry, the attorney who is representing 14 marine terminals and shipping lines in the negotiations. “The OCU claims their actions are aimed at preserving job security, but the harbor employers have already answered that concern by offering protection against layoffs due to existing or new workplace technologies,” Berry said. He added employers have promised not to outsource or transfer any bargaining unit work away from the OCU and they have added protection against layoffs for any other reason. John Fageaux, OCU president, could not be reached for comment. Members of the Office Clerical Unit of ILWU Local 63 walked off their jobs at two terminals at midnight June 30 when their three-year contract expired. The OCU, though affiliated with the ILWU, has a separate contract with terminal operators and shipping lines. The average OCU wage in 2009 was $96,900 and workers receive an additional $66,000 in benefits, according to employers. Employers are offering a $1 per-hour increase and a 10 percent increase in pensions over a six-year contract. WOW! $96,900.00 PLUS $66,000.00 in benefits; that's a $162,900.00 per year package AND THEY WANT MORE!!!

Maddie
Red, No one especially a Union has the right or the authority to tell the owners of a company how they can run their business. This is the real world we live in. No job is secure especially if you sit there all day and read magazines, play on the internet, yack with your buddies. You need to wake up. Your Union leader sounds like he is suffering from megalomania. If you don't know what that means look it up in a dictionary. This is absolutely a form of extortion by the Union. Shame on them all. I think this will be a long strike. Hope you saved your money. Lots of people have lost their jobs. There is never a guarantee.

RED
Maddie ....that's funny...so since we are just data entry clerks...we don't know what megalomania means...are u insulting all data entry clerks....pretty said to be so angry about something that has no effect on your life....

ok
Red AKA the Data Entry Clerk. Not sure why you switched your argument to this does not concern anybody. When Data Entry Clerks have the power to shut down the largest port complex in the United States it affects everyone. You have a great package go back to work be happy with what you have and nobody will give you a second thought. When you strike tell us how valuable you are and ask for increases that are absurb at any time let alone during this current economic situation, bargain in bad faith you will piss people off. I do have to give the OCU some credit at least you didnt request Pet insurance like you did in 2007 bargaining. Now get back to work and change my booking number

Doesn't get it
Red clearly doesn't understand that the union's average pay package of over $162,000.00 per member per year is a great deal. If that is such a bad wage, and Red is so unhappy with his oh-so-stressful job, then perhaps Red should go out into the real world and get a job that pays much more for the same amount of work! Good luck!

RED
Careful people....u might burst a blood vessel...the subject was changed because I realized that it really doesn't matter what any of you think...someone here thinks they have inside knowledge of what goes on in our offices..careful now..if clerks go...managers will follow.. call us ..we'll change your booking...this is getting fun....who's next.....

Just Asking...
Dear Red, You are getting a $162,900.00 per year package right now. Your union is on strike for more. Please explain the justification for asking for even more money and/or benefits than you already have? Maybe I missed something...

ok
It was nice to see that Red through in the towel. When they cant lie to the press or their claims that they are fighting for the working man are proven ridiculous its time to quit as Red has done. No more attempts to claim their jobs are in jeopardy and money is not a issue. At least Red knows he is out of bullets

RED
OK ...I never had bullits..nothing but love..I was just waiting to see who would bite next.Can u stop shooting...I think not...now get busy and starti shooting.. Like I said before...this really fun..

Maddie
Let's look at the real facts. You sold out your temporary employees. In March of 2009 you voted to save your jobs from layoff by allowing the employers to decide if they needed replacements or not. This is in the LA Times and I have seen the side contract signed by both your leaders. Signed on May 15, 2009 and put into effect on May 16, 2009. Knowing that you sold out your temps, your so called brothers and sisters, and your motto is "An injury to one is an injury to all". How do you sleep at night?

RED
Maddie - You seem to think you know quite alot of inside information but if you did and obviously you don't... you would know that we signed that side letter in good faith with the companies during the economic down turn and it was only temporary..we also took 1 furlough day a month to help our employers during that time. It was not permanent. I know most of you are happy that we're all back to work but it's not over yet. We are still negotiating. So sit tight..I'm sure you'll have more to say in the near future...keep in touch ..okay.. oh I better go back to reading magazines and surfing the net..

Any answer?
Red, The average union member's total compensation package is $162,900.00 per year. Kindly advise why you should get even more than that already generous wage and benefits deal.

RED
Any Answer - This is the thing...there is not one single reason why we have to justify our salary to any one. I am not here to defend our position..its just so interesting reading all these post. People are really pissed off about another persons salary that has nothing to do with their life. Please do not say that all of the jobs outsourced were because of unions..Not true..it's because most of those jobs were not union.. that's why they are gone. Get a grip people.. Keep siding with the big corporations...real smart...

ok
Red we finally agree you dont have to defend your salary to anyone. But dont act suprised that people are pissed when someone with such a great salary and benefit package goes out on strike. OCU bad faith bargaining certainly doesnt help your case and lying to the press and your claims of fighting for the working man also doesnt help the perception of the OCU's. I will continue to support big corporations when they make money they employ people which means you. People who take risks start business and employ people deserve to make money kinda makes our economy work. Unions brought down the Auto industry, steel industry and Unions or the fear of unions took alot of manufacturing jobs out of this country. So take your no layoff clause take your 3% raise in wages and benefits sign a contract go back to work and dontr screw up my booking number

Any answer
Red, It is interesting that you find it unnecessary to justify your salary to anyone. In the real world one has to justify one's salary (read: value to the employer) on a regular, if not daily, basis. Your value is accessed at the time of negotiation of your contract, and yes the justification of a raise, increase in benefits, etc. should absolutely be weighed against the value that you provide to your employer. Comparisons to others that have a similar job description/requirement across America are inevitable (and necessary). I am glad you are earning well. You should, however, be clear in your own mind just how much value you bring to the table. Look around and think about your skills/income ratio as compared to other hard-working folks (that still have a job) and perhaps your perspective will adjust somewhat.

RED
Any answer - You are mistaken..none of you here are my employer..so no I do not have to justify my salary to you.. You do not contribute anything to my well being. You do not know anything about me or what I contribute on a daily basis...You don't know my education level..I guess you think we're too stupid to earn this kind of living...I would say...we're not the stupid ones..

Richard
Red, I make $175,000 in tech sales a year and if I were to strike my company like you union guys do all of the time, I would be fired on the spot. That's our point! I don't need nor ever want to be a member of a union so your talking points are useless..The days of unions being a necessity are over. No one is jealous of a union data entry clerk position so get over yourselves and get back to work..Also, my grandfather was a Navel Architect and was the chairman of the Jacksonville Shipyard and trust me, I know just how much effort some of you guys put into your line of work. With California at 17% unemployent, you are harming this state and this country even worse..Unions are destroying America, and we need to rid all of them.

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LBPOST.com Managing Editor Ryan ZumMallen keeps up on all the current and breaking Long Beach news.

Ryan ZumMallen has served as the managing editor of the LBPOST.com since 2007. He graduated from CSULB with a degree in Print Journalism in 2008 and is a member of the 2009 class of Leadership Long Beach. You can find him on various basketball courts around the city.

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