Political Forums - West Coast ports facing shutdown in labor dispute

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West Coast ports facing shutdown in labor dispute

Has anyone been following the west coast port labor disputes. I have to, it is my job. This dispute has the capacity to bring our already fragile economy to its knees. It seems so quite in the media. I wonder why?

Each year, about 40% of the containers that come into the U.S. — filled with TVs, iPhones and clothes [food - lots of it sitting in containers spoiling] — passes through the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, making them the busiest in the nation and an economic engine for the Southland.

Now, after months of crushing congestion that has left the Long Beach coast cluttered with cargo ships waiting to unload, the ports, and 27 others along the West Coast, may be on the verge of shutting down, potentially imperiling the nation's trade with Asia and putting a dent into the regional economy.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...207-story.html

You go labor. Bring this fucked up country to its knees while nobody watches. I'm ready. Then perhaps we can have some real change. If it happens, I am out of a job but I don't care. I am in full support of labor.

That is right you fuckers, labor (the working people). The producers!!!!

Does this sound fucking familiar!!

"This could have serious impact on the economy," said Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation. "The escalating rhetoric, the threats, the dueling press releases and the inability to find common ground between the two sides are simply driving up the cost of products, jeopardizing American jobs and threatening the long-term viability of businesses large and small."

http://www.joc.com/port-news/longsho..._20140523.html

Quote:

How much do West Coast longshoremen earn?

ILWU workers receive a compensation package that is “among the most lucrative among all blue-collar workers in the United States,” according to the PMA. Full-time workers earn an average of $142,000 annually in wages, along with a non-wage benefits package costing more than $82,000 per active worker per year. Pay ranges depend on the job, with regular longshoremen earning less than clerks and both of them earning less than foremen. According to the 2013 Pacific Maritime Association Annual Report, most of the 9,985 “Class A” longshoremen working that year, which comprised those who worked 2,000 or more total hours, earned roughly $137,000 per year, though many earned less and a few of the highest paid longshoremen, those who worked an average of more than 50 hours per week, earned over $200,000. Most clerks earned roughly $147,000, while the highest-paid earned well over $200,000 per year. Walking bosses, or foremen, are the highest-paid ILWU workers, many of them earning well over $200,000 and some more than $300,000.

:eek:

Holy paycheck!

What the fuck are they striking for?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Joad (Post 259179)

http://www.joc.com/port-news/longsho..._20140523.html

:eek:

Holy paycheck!

What the fuck are they striking for?

Because they can, thanks to the power of a strong union. In a sense, this is economic blackmail.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeamOn (Post 259180)

Because they can, thanks to the power of a strong union. In a sense, this is economic blackmail.

Bullcrap ;). These guys and gals are mainly striking over safety issues.

The whole LA/LB system is a bottleneck clusterfuk of epic proportions. Guess which party doesn't want to spend the Federal dollars to upgrade it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Joad (Post 259179)

http://www.joc.com/port-news/longsho..._20140523.html

:eek:

Holy paycheck!

What the fuck are they striking for?

I always here this from gubmint workers...;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanishingPoi (Post 259131)

:) You go girl!!! I've been watching this too. Management could care less about safety and/or sharing the wealth during the boom times.

Those overpaid left coast weenies need to get back to work before they find themselves in the same boat as the Air Traffic Controllers did 30 years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYBAPVjJykY

Seriously though, I'm more concerned about the poor schmuck that has to take the Shoe Leather Express to his $10.55 an hour factory job, or some single mom waiting tables at some greasy spoon for $2.13 an hour plus tips then I am about some union dudes pulling down six figures salaries plus Cadillac fringe benefit packages. .