Posted on 01/29/2016 11:06:50 AM PST by Citizen Zed
NEWARK—More than 4,000 longshoremen unexpectedly walked off the job this morning, shutting down the port terminals both in New Jersey and New York, causing truck traffic to immediately start backing up throughout Port Newark and Port Elizabeth.
Port officials were taken by surprise by the labor action, and were unsure what precipitated it.
"We do know it's an illegal walk-off," said Phoebe Sorial, general counsel for the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor. "We did not hear about it beforehand and we don't know why it's happening."
The New York Shipping Association, which represents the terminal operators, ocean carriers, and stevedores, was also in the dark.
"I can tell you we don't know why they walked off," said spokeswoman Beverly Fedorko. "It came as a surprise to everyone. We're trying to ascertain just what is going on."
She said the association is not currently negotiating with the ILA, which has been working under an existing collective bargaining agreement.
Even the International Longshoremen's Association was uncertain about that sparked the wildcat strike. ILA spokesman Jim McNamara said there is some anger by the rank-and-file over what they see as interference by the waterfront commission in their collective bargaining agreement, but added that he was also still looking into the matter.
"They see the commission as a threat to to their livelihood, making life miserable for longshoremen," McNamara said. "They have gone way beyond their role of licensing to break down the gains of the ILA."
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it moved to stop incoming truck traffic to enter the port, but police say local access roads this morning throughout the port area were already at a standstill.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
Yes, but that picket line was Hollywood writers. It was quite easy in that case. I’m sure it would be a little harsher at the docks :-)
On the Waterfront (1954). They don’t make ‘em like that any more. Watch it every time it’s on.
Terry: You don’t understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let’s face it. It was you, Charley.
Terry: Hey, you wanna hear my philosophy of life? Do it to him before he does it to you.
That’s what I’m sayin’, longshoremen tend to generally be a fairly rowdy bunch.
Fire their lazy asses. Doesn’t take a genius to unload boxes off big boats.
You arm chair quarter backs are a real hoot. You have absolutely no idea how the real world works.
Completely agree!
In my ten years in the maritime environment, I've met exactly 2 American Captains (crews as well). Did your brother go to foreign ports or just domestic (I assume he's American).
It can be long, dangerous work in the elements. They do get nicely compensated, but I don't have a problem with a man being well-paid for hard work.
Haven’t they heard of the Baltic Dry Index? It shows shipping is slowing to a crawl all over the world. And they choose this time to go on strike, when they will be unneeded.
Sheesh.
My dad was a telegraph operator in the Merchant Marines during WWII. He was in France on D-Day. I did manage to find out the name/specs/routes of all his ships when I visited the Maritime Museum in Va. in 1988.
Sort of like playing 3 dimensional Pong on an Atari 2600.
Drug testing problems?
First thing I thought of too. The BD Index is down like 84%. A crawl indeed. Doesn’t portend well for the global economy.
Someone didn’t pay the shakedown bill.
Yes, but that picket line was Hollywood writers.<<
Did u get hit with a purse and smeared with lipstick?..../s
And that was just the guys. ha
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.