OT: If it's not one thing, it's another: dock workers strike

[18IsTheMan]

East coast dock workers went on strike today, bringing ALL east coast shipping ports to a grinding halt.

They have rejected a 50% pay increase (west coast dock workers last year agreed to a 32% pay increase). They want a 77% raise and no use of automation. I'm not sure which of those seems like a bigger reach.

At least retailers supposedly worked in anticipation of this to stock up so consumers shouldn't feel the effects for a few weeks, except maybe on some very perishable items like bananas.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

October surprise!
Dock workers strike
Iran bombs Israel

What next?

 

[b-flag]

Some of us are not panicky woebegones.
Buck up buttercup

 

[Blues man]

Some of us are not panicky woebegones.
Buck up buttercup

... says a guy with no skin in the game.

 

[Blues man]

Make no mistake about it, the ILA doesn't give a rip about the businesses affected by their strike and they certainly dont give a rip about the repercussions their actions will cause to this country. They never have cared about such things and they never will. This strike was intentional. There has been no good faith negotiations going on since June and even that was minimal. I can tell you this, they do not have the support of rank and file container truckers who are now jobless until the ILA can at least put something reasonable forward if they ever decide to.

 

[b-flag]

... says a guy with no skin in the game.

Believe in America not cheap scapegoating.
Trust our traditions & our institutions instead of tearing things down
Good luck you'll need it

 

[Blues man]

Believe in America not cheap scapegoating.
Trust our traditions & our institutions instead of tearing things down
Good luck you'll need it

Ok I'll bite. What institutions should I be putting my trust in?

 

[Uscg1984]

Does the "no new automation" demand have a timeline? Are the companies expected to extend that measure in perpetuity? If so, that seems like a completely ludicrous demand. Who could possibly predict the automated measures that might be necessary in the future?

 

[Lurker123]

Does the "no new automation" demand have a timeline? Are the companies expected to extend that measure in perpetuity? If so, that seems like a completely ludicrous demand. Who could possibly predict the automated measures that might be necessary in the future?

Well, it was an idea from the union. So ludicrous is probably the right ballpark.

 

[Cybercock]

Does the "no new automation" demand have a timeline? Are the companies expected to extend that measure in perpetuity? If so, that seems like a completely ludicrous demand. Who could possibly predict the automated measures that might be necessary in the future?

Well it all started with an objection to an automatic gate at a port in Mississippi so they obviously are worried about being replaced by technology. Thing is, the more money they make, the more sense it makes to pursue automation.
Unions have a place but this is a buttload of unrealistic demands

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

Does the "no new automation" demand have a timeline? Are the companies expected to extend that measure in perpetuity? If so, that seems like a completely ludicrous demand. Who could possibly predict the automated measures that might be necessary in the future?

I bet auto assembly line workers such as welders and spray painters would have liked to have had that protection in their employment contracts since their jobs have been automated. Obviously, longshoremen feel privileged and special and think they can't be replaced.

 

[PD-Cock]

I have hard time sympathizing with anyone who earns just shy of a million a year, drives Bentley's & says, quoting, "Mess with me, I'll cripple you". Joe Daggett, Boss, ILSA
I'm all for anyone wanting to better their pay & hope they get it. But, if there was ever a reason for automation, this is it.
Holding others (us the citizenry) hostage just to put teeth into your demands, doesn't bode well in garnering sympathy nor support.

 

[Blues man]

Well it all started with an objection to an automatic gate at a port in Mississippi so they obviously are worried about being replaced by technology. Thing is, the more money they make, the more sense it makes to pursue automation.
Unions have a place but this is a buttload of unrealistic demands

Funny thing is the gate is where the problems begin and actually where most of the problems exist. Human error is a big problem at all the gates. I know this because my wife gets a call every time one of our trucks runs into a problem there. And the problem is never on our end because she is damn good at her job.
They could speed up driver waits, traffic and the supply chain itself by allowing gates to be automated if they cared about such things and they know it. But as I said earlier, they dont care. On top of that drivers now (through govt regulations) have their time electronically monitored and time wasted in the port is time they can't get back. And trucking is a profession that has been going through rate decreases now getting a double whammy because of this.
If you ask me, I believe they dont wish to give up gates because without them, they can't blackball or make doing business difficult for truckers or trucking companies they have an ax to grind with. The ability to make doing business difficult is a very powerful ability. Gate control is the primary reason why you have to be careful when criticizing the union in this industry. No doubt the gate (the point where they flex their muscle) would have to be pried from their hands.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

I have hard time sympathizing with anyone who earns just shy of a million a year, drives Bentley's & says, quoting, "Mess with me, I'll cripple you". Joe Daggett, Boss, ILSA
I'm all for anyone wanting to better their pay & hope they get it. But, if there was ever a reason for automation, this is it.
Holding others (us the citizenry) hostage just to put teeth into your demands, doesn't bode well in garnering sympathy nor support.

They want a champagne lifestyle with beer level skills.

 

[Sweetwatergolf]

October surprise!
Dock workers strike
Iran bombs Israel

What next?

The strike has already brought out the hoarders. Toilet paper, paper towels etc being wiped out in many locations.

 

[Blues man]

The strike has already brought out the hoarders. Toilet paper, paper towels etc being wiped out in many locations.

One thing I noticed too is some those TP hoarders are govt funded and dont look like they have been here very long.