ILWU Bargaining Update – September 26, 2002

Despite our best efforts over the last six weeks, the PMA has not moved on the core issues surrounding the implementation of new technologies.  PMA chief Joe Miniace continues to demonstrate that he doesn’t really understand the industry and that he doesn’t respect the work of ILWU members.

Throughout the series of information exchanges, we have made efforts to forge an effective compromise on technological innovation, while Miniace has continually contradicted himself and failed to forge a unified position among the multinational corporations that comprise his bargaining sidekicks.   The net result is that he has not made any attempt to live up to his repeated pledge to respect our work and our jurisdiction.  In fact, his most frequent message is that he wants to outsource our work.

In just one letter sent by Miniace on September 23, he reversed direction at least five times on what he believed the goal of the PMA was on the implementation of technology.  In one paragraph he starts by saying: “The purpose of introducing technology is not to transfer traditional clerk jurisdiction to non-bargaining unit employees or facilities.”  That appears to be a stance against outsourcing.  Then, just two sentences later he says that “functions currently performed at the terminal will no longer need to be performed at the terminal because of the intervention of technology.”  He can’t have it both ways.

We came to the bargaining table in a good faith effort to achieve a working partnership to increase efficiency, safety and job security through technology.  With APL in Los Angeles we have been collaborating on the implementation of new technologies since their new terminal opened in 1997.  We consult regularly with the managers about all aspects of the technology and we have grown with the work.  But Miniace and his allies from SSA don’t have the same ability to respect the skill and knowledge we bring to our work, so they refuse to make a similar good faith effort.