Ag shippers may get on ILWU’s case

The Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) is among those organizations that have been most strident about seaport reform. When their annual meeting takes place in San Francisco later this month, that mission may become even more urgent…thanks the recent bad faith actions of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) at the Port of Oakland.

According to the Pacific Maritime Association, bosses of ILWU Local 34 – one of the more militant factions of the union – refused to dispatch workers for the second shift on Sunday, May 31, causing a shutdown of terminal operations.

The ILWU’s work stoppage occurred after the PMA informed Local 34 officials on Wednesday, May 27, that the new dispatch process would be put in place beginning with the second shift that day. Its implementation was initially scheduled for the prior weekend but was postponed to the 31st by mutual agreement so as not to complicate dispatch during the Memorial Day weekend.

In short, the dispatch process outlines times by which labor orders must be placed.

After the ILWU failed to adhere to the new dispatch procedures for vessel operations for the second shift on Sunday, the PMA took the matter to an area arbitrator who ruled that ILWU officials and dispatchers took a unilateral action in violation of the agreement with PMA. The arbitrator further instructed the ILWU to accept and dispatch employers’ labor orders. The arbitrator also ruled that the ILWU reneged on an agreement to work around the dispute.

This is the third work stoppage caused by the ILWU in Oakland in just over a week, say PMA spokesmen.

By sanctioning illegal work stoppages, spokesmen add, the local ILWU leaders are not just violating the new contract, but are “disrespecting” the truckers, local residents and small businesses whose livelihoods depend on the efficient and reliable movement of cargo through the port.

“The ILWU in Oakland has a long history of taking unilateral actions that disrupt ongoing cargo operations,” said PMA spokesperson Wade Gates. “We have a new coastwise contract in place that was recently ratified by both parties, a new understanding in Oakland on dispatch and an arbitrator’s ruling finding the ILWU in violation of that new understanding. It’s time for the ILWU leaders in Oakland to recognize these facts, follow the provisions of the new agreement and join us in regaining the shipping community’s confidence in West Coast ports.”

As our news editor, Jeff Berman, observed last week, manufacturers and retailers are actively looking for alternatives to U.S. Pacific Rim gateways. Safe to say that Ag shippers may follow suit.