November 2, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Los Angeles, Long Beach Dock Works Protest Partial Work Stoppage:

Dock workers at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports on Friday protested a partial work stoppage ordered by a group representing West Coast terminal operators, saying it will slow down the unloading of cargo by several days.

But the terminal operators’ group, Pacific Maritime Association, countered that there is not enough room at the terminals, with cargo piling up due to the dock workers’ union, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 13, withholding the workers needed to move cargo out of the terminals and onto trucks.

The ILWU is in the midst of contentious negotiations with the PMA over labor contracts for west coast dock workers.

The spat prompted Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia to jointly urge both sides to back off, and to consider the effect of their negotiating tactics on the economy.

“Negotiations resume Monday and it’s in no one’s interest for either side to take further actions before then,” the mayor’s said.

They added the twin ports “play a critical role in our regional and national economy, and so those at the table bear a responsibility that extends far beyond the waterfront.”

“The prudent course of action is to keep people working and keep goods moving as negotiations continue,” Garcetti and Garcia said.

Other city leaders also raised concerns over the row, with Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino saying the longer that “protracted contracted labor negotiations” continue, “the more damage will be inflicted on our national and local economies.”

“I have many family and friends on both sides of the issue and urge each to be fair and come to an agreement as quickly as possible,” said Buscaino, who represents the harbor area.

Representatives of ILWU, Local 13, said the PMA issued a “surprise” directive on New Year’s Eve telling terminal operators to cut the number of workers tasked with unloading ships.

“If this irresponsible PMA action stands and operators follow, it will take 8 to 10 days to unload a ship instead of the normal 2.5 days,” Bobby Olvera, president of Local 13, said. “The post holiday season is time to catch up on the tremendous back-up of ships waiting to be unloaded at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. It’s been this way for years.”

PMA officials said they are cutting the number of workers because there is not enough space at the terminals to unload cargo onto.

“It makes no sense to maintain the pace of removing containers from ships when there’s no room for them on the terminals,” PMA spokesman Wade Gates. “If a parking lot were full, you would clear out empty spaces before bringing in more cars. The same rule applies here.”

Gates blamed ILWU for the congested terminals, saying the union has been preventing qualified crane operators, whose job is to get cargo out of the terminals and onto trucks, from coming to work as part of a negotiating tactic.

“Removing qualified yard crane drivers from terminal operations is the equivalent of a football coach sending out 10 players and no quarterback,” Gates said. “You can’t run the play effectively. The congestion in the terminals is near a breaking point.”

An ILWU spokesman said the union was not withholding workers, and said there are not enough qualified crane operators because training has been reduced.

Gates said PMA is not budging on the directive to reduce the number of workers unloading ships.

in News
<>Related Posts

Beverly Hills City Government Agrees to a Stipulated Judgment After Blocking Abortion Clinic Opening

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

City to Implement Training, Oversight on Reproductive Rights Following Legal Settlement  California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a legal agreement...

Dia De Los Muertos 2024: Here’s Where To Celebrate The Holiday Tradition This Weekend

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Los Angeles Has a Variety of Ways to Explore Latino Culture and Honor Ancestors Starting just after Halloween, Dia de...

Santa Monica Seeks Public Input on Cannabis Equity Program

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

This Program Aims to Ensure That Individuals Affected by Past Criminalization Have Fair Access to Opportunities Santa Monica is calling...

(Video) Downtown L.A. Reacts to World Series Victory

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Dodgers Are World Series Champs For The Eighth Time https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFtyDDKn

Here’s Why West L.A. Stunk So Bad This Week

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Coastal Communities Were Blanketed by an Intense Smell Brought on by an Oceanic Phenomena Sarena Snider had just returned to...

Halloween Pre-Game Party Brings Chills and Spooky Thrills to The Rose Venice

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Enjoy Halloween With Festive Cocktails, Appetizers, and a Costume Contest The Rose Venice in Venice is set to host a...

Michael Mina’s Egyptian-Mediterranean Restaurant Opens in Santa Monica

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Inside, the 270-Seat Restaurant’s Interior Draws Inspiration From Greek and Egyptian Coastal Aesthetics Renowned chef Michael Mina has opened his...

Los Angeles Dodgers Win 2024 World Series in Thrilling Comeback Against Yankees

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Dodgers Claim the Championship Title With a Stunning Victory After Intense Game By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles Dodgers are...

Trailer for Luca Guadagnino’s Queer Drops, Set for Limited Release on November 27

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Based on William S. Burroughs’ Novel, the FilmBrings a Powerful Love Story to Life Not content with releasing one amazing...

Petition Launched to Stop Sale of Venice’s Friendship Baptist Church

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Congregants were recently made aware that the church property at 606 Broadway Street was listed for sale Members of Venice’s...

(Video) Home Front Build Maintains Original Architectural Vision For Modern Homes

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

For More Information, Go to homefrontbuild.com @smmirrornews Home Front Build Adapts Original Vision of Architect Into Modern Structures #home #construction...

Governor Gavin Newsom Allocates $827 Million to Combat Homelessness Statewide

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

New Funding Aims To Create Housing, Expand Shelters, Enhance Support Services Governor Gavin Newsom announced $827 million in new state...

Big Blue Bus to Unveil New Dog Park with Community Celebration

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

Attendees Can Enter Their Pets in a Doggie Fall Fashion Show, With Prizes From Local Businesses The City of Santa...

At Vistamar School – Discover the way high school should be

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

Students achieve remarkable outcomes with our strong academics, small classes, and personalized approach. Our graduates don’t just attend college—they excel....