Posts tagged MOBILE
The long-haul harms of an East Coast port strike and automation ban
October 1, 2024 // But the problem with banning automation is that just as automated tollways enable cars and trucks to move more efficiently across the roadways, automated gates and other port operations enable goods to move more efficiently into, out of, and throughout the U.S. The lack of automation is a primary reason that U.S. ports rank near the bottom of global port efficiency ratings. According to the World Bank’s 2022 Port Performance Index, the average North American port ranking is three times lower than East Asian ports, almost twice as bad as Central American, South American, and Caribbean ports, and not far ahead of sub-Saharan African ports. One of the most efficient ports in the U.S., ranked No. 44 out of 348, is Virginia Beach. It’s likely not a coincidence that the Virginia Beach port is one of the only ones that includes some automation, which Daggett said the ILA was forced to inherit. The Mobile port ranks No. 238, and five other East Coast ports rank No. 300 or worse, with Savannah, Georgia’s port ranked dead last in the world.
Largest port on U.S. East Coast, New York/New Jersey, begins prepping for what could be first union strike since 1977
September 20, 2024 // The ILA represents over 85,000 port workers, and a strike would shut down five of the 10 busiest ports in North America, and a total of 36 ports along the East and Gulf Coasts. Close to half (43%-49%) of all monthly U.S. imports would be impacted, representing billions of dollars in trade, and logistics firms are preparing contingency plans last used during Covid and 2018 tariffs. Currently, there is an estimated $34 billion in freight in route to these ports on 147 ocean vessels.
Longshoremen strike CSA operations at the Port of Mobile after mediation falls apart
November 28, 2022 // The International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1410 began striking CSA Equipment Company’s breakbulk operations at the Port of Mobile Tuesday, less than a month after the two sides agreed to federal mediation. There are four main issues at the heart of negotiations between the local chapter of the union and the stevedoring company: line handling (tying up vessels), retroactive payments to the union’s pension plan, the number of workers per unit and jurisdiction over stevedoring operations at the port. Currently, non-union workers can tie up vessels that union workers are contracted to unload with CSA, something that the union wants to change. Bass says the union wants to control line-handling for any vessels that they unload, which the union says was the case in the past. Line-handling control means more man-hours for union workers, Bass says, which is important because stevedoring work isn’t consistent. SSA Marine and Cooper/T. Smith,
Former union official admits to embezzling workers’ funds
August 18, 2022 // Kelley later admitted to making 46 unauthorized electronic transfers from the union’s checking account totaling $14,255. He also admitted to embezzling $3,243 through nine checks and counter withdrawals. In addition, Kelley admitted that he made 23 unauthorized transactions totaling $514 from a debit card that was linked to the union’s checking account. Finally, Kelley admitted that he forged the signature of Local 7750 President Michael Freeman on at least 11 checks made out to himself.