Replies

The reports I've read indicate the union members have been conducting a work slow down for some time to make operation next to impossible. In response, a lock-out was called to bring the situation to a head. If I'm misinformed, let me know.

to make operation next to impossible.

I didn't read that "operation were made next to impossible" [sic]. I did, however, read that the owners alledge that a work slowdown took place last month. This is a common labor negotiating tactic similar to the "blue flue" that occurs everytime the LAPD or LA County Sheriff's Departments contracts expire and they are forced to work without a contract.

100K a year dock workers may not command much sympathy from me, but billion dollar multinational conglomerates get even less.

You're misinformed. Each time the contract comes up for renewal (every three years) the companies as a bargaining ploy accuse the workers of slowdown, true or not. It's usually not true, because these guys don't want to strike, they want to protect their jobs. Part of the collective bargaining game.

Everyone seems so worried about how much these guys make. Does anyone wonder how much the negotiator for the company representing the (mostly foreign) companies makes? Probably in the high seven figures. He never even has to get his hands dirty, and his job isn't dangerous either. I would say that he's paid pretty well.

I love to see American workers making a good salary, union or not. The foreign companies would love to have slave labor on the docks, and if they could, don't think for a minute that any of their savings would be passed along to us in any way.

You're misinformed. Each time the contract comes up for renewal (every three years) the companies as a bargaining ploy accuse the workers of slowdown, true or not. It's usually not true, because these guys don't want to strike, they want to protect their jobs. Part of the collective bargaining game.

Everyone seems so worried about how much these guys make. Does anyone wonder how much the negotiator for the company representing the (mostly foreign) companies makes? Probably in the high seven figures. He never even has to get his hands dirty, and his job isn't dangerous either. I would say that he's paid pretty well.

I love to see American workers making a good salary, union or not. The foreign companies would love to have slave labor on the docks, and if they could, don't think for a minute that any of their savings would be passed along to us in any way.