For Immediate Release:   September 26, 2002 

Contact:  Steve Stallone 415-775-0533 x114

     or Jeremy Prillwitz 415-286-0555

A Closer Look at PMA Mythology:

The Truth Behind the Technology Discussions

The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) has been misinforming the media regarding contract negotiations surrounding technology.  Contrary to what the PMA has been saying, no agreement has been reached on a technology framework.

PMA chief Joe Miniace is attempting to do his bargaining in the media, but he is making no effort to bargain in the proper venue – the bargaining table.  The following is an analysis of PMA myths:

MYTH:  “The agreement, reached Wednesday, provides general principles and a procedure for the implementation of technology.” (PMA Release, Sept. 25, 2002)

REALITY:  No agreement was reached on Wednesday.  Critical issues remain unresolved, and no agreement can be reached without addressing those issues.

MYTH:  “I am hopeful that the Union will look at the entire package as a principled compromise on job security and technology that are the center of these negotiations.” (PMA Chief Joe Miniace, Sept. 25, 2002)

REALITY:  No such “entire package” exists.  Miniace hopes that the ILWU and the media will ignore the fact that the PMA has made no attempt to provide assurances that union jobs will be protected and that new jobs created by the new technology will be ILWU jobs. 

MYTH:  “At the Union’s request, the PMA provided a detailed question-and-answer document related to the application of the framework to implement technology.” (PMA Release, Sept. 25, 2002.)

REALITY:  The PMA dodged the most critical questions in the aforementioned document, going so far as to erase certain questions and replace them with questions and answers which were more comfortable to the employer.

MYTH: “The ILWU members, our registered workforce of longshoremen and clerks, will be guaranteed work opportunity under this contract, and, more importantly, the opportunity to move into new positions, with methods of work and a secure future.”

(PMA Chief Joe Miniace, May 13, 2002 on opening day of bargaining.)

REALITY:  Miniace is working to ensure that as many ILWU jobs are possible will be eliminated through outsourcing.

Not everything PMA is saying is untrue, however.  In its Sept. 25 press release, the PMA notes that “significant details remain to be settled.”  This is a true statement.  We urge the PMA to focus on settling those significant details with us at the bargaining table.

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