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Strike shuts down most terminals at Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles is seen in this general view taken in California May 30, 2012.
Credit: Reuters/David McNew
LOS ANGELES |
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A strike by clerical workers shut down terminals at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on Wednesday after other workers refused to cross picket lines at the nation's busiest combined cargo complex, officials said.
Seven of eight terminals at the Port of Los Angeles were shut down by the action, along with three of six terminals at the neighboring Port of Long Beach, officials at the facilities said.
The strike is the largest work stoppage at the ports in a decade, but its effects on the movement of goods could ultimately be limited if workers return soon. Many goods destined for sale in the holiday shopping season have already moved through the ports.
Longshore clerks at the ports are in a dispute with terminal operators over staffing issues.
The clerks, represented by a unit of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 63, took to the picket line on Wednesday, and other key personnel such as crane operators also represented by the ILWU have refused to cross picket lines.
Stephen Berry, lead negotiator for port operators the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Employers Association, said the strike marks "a dangerous escalation" in his group's ongoing dispute with the union representing the clerks.
He added that if the strike continues "the negative effects on jobs and the economy will be felt nationwide."
Most of the goods for sale in the holiday season have already moved through the ports, said Art Wong, a spokesman for the Port of Long Beach.
"The goods will be here, and they'll move whenever they resolve this, so hopefully it will be very quickly," he said.
The clerks say the Harbor Employers Association wants to outsource jobs they currently handle. The association counters the union wants them to hire unneeded workers.
The strike is the largest shutdown at the combined ports since 2002, said Phillip Sanfield, spokesman for the Port of Los Angeles.
The Port of Los Angeles is the largest U.S. container port by volume, and last year goods valued a combined $273 billion passed through the facility. The combined ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the busiest U.S. cargo shipping complex.
(Reporting By Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Cynthia Johnston and Stacey Joyce)
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What part of outsourcing do you not understand?
If someone threatens to do away with your source of income or reduce it in any way what would your response be?
Businesses get together and form their “Associations” to make industry decisions is OK but a group of workers sticking together for self preservantion is not?
Something seriously wrong with that outlook.
It is exactly that type of narrow mindedness that has eroded the working middle class. The jobs people held that actually do/did the work to build this nation are being eliminated.
What will you elitists do when the workers are finally broken? Who will make or move your goods? Who will pick up your trash, teach your snot nosed little brats, give you your medicine or empty your damned bed pans when you can no take care of yourself? Fight your fires, patrol your streets to keep you safe? Put your power lines back in place after a storm. Supply your drinking water?
Really!! Better stop and think about it very seriously because your attitude is what is driving the downward trend of quality jobs and education.
Cut costs on everything but never the profits at the top. Nice……….you’ve got yours and the rest can go to hell.
Go for it..you’ll eventually get what you deserve
finally we had it set up by Tuesday, then this happen. we will have
big loss on this strike issue since customer in overseas have to patient to wait any longer. We don’t know why this happen after the election? Can our president come put to say someting., thise union
people support him and voted for him, now should be the time for him
to come out not to let the situation fo worse
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