Dockworkers have decided to not stagger their meal breaks, shutting down terminals for an hour at lunch and another hour at dinner.
“We want to see some normalcy returned to the harbors,” said Matt Schrap, chief executive officer of the Harbor Trucking Association, whose members collect cargo at the ports. ”We want shippers to have confidence despite the challenging business environment in California. Now there are additional things making them avoid this gateway. We want the cargo to land here.”
So, the lunch break issue isn’t helping matters. “They kind of sprung it on everyone,” said one port observer, who wished not to be identified. The Pacific Maritime Association issued its own statement noting the ILWU contract provides employers the right to assign staggered shifts during meal periods. But beginning this month, Local 13, which is the local for the Southern California longshore workers, stopped complying with that contract provision. “As a result, longshore workers at the ports of L.A. and Long Beach are not working the terminals between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., creating significant delays.
No one is quite sure what is putting a wrench into the contract negotiations because both sides have agreed not to talk about the matter. Obviously, longshore workers want to see a salary increase in their contract, noting the shipping industry has been swimming in profits. According to the PMA, the average wage for a full-time employee was recently as much as $195,000 a year, and ILWU members pay nothing for medical insurance.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Preschooler gives classmate Spanish lesson during lunch timeAn Arizona preschooler was captured on video teaching his friend how to count in Spanish.
Read more »
Paul Pelosi brings humor to NYC lunch with wife Nancy, Beltway polsPaul joked around when he and his wife had a serendipitous run-in with Rep. Barbara Lee and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries at lunch.
Read more »
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas Have Rare PDA Moment During Stylish Lunch DateThe actress re-wore the perfect winter-to-spring transitional pieces.
Read more »
Kids leave empty lunch trays for Kathy Hochul to promote more free meals in budgetAbout 75% of New York public school students currently get free meals, according to the Hochul administration, but lawmakers from both parties say more can be done.
Read more »
Lunch for the Soul: Woman kidnapped by pirates then rescued shares steps to self-acceptanceFOX 26's Melissa Wilson introduces us to Jessica Buchanan, who got kidnapped by Somali pirates while she was on a mission trip in 2011.
Read more »