Getting surprisingly little national coverage is the eight-day-old Los Angeles-Long Beach Harbor ports strike, triggered by about 800 union clerical workers who seek a hefty boost in their compensation package currently worth $165,000 a year, including wages, benefits and pension contributions, notes Grumpy Editor.
With about 10,000 other union dock workers refusing to cross picket lines, seven of eight Port of Los Angeles shipping terminals are shut down while three of six adjacent Port of Long Beach terminals are closed.
About 40 percent of the nation’s imported cargo containers pass through the dual ports.
The shuttered terminals --- handling an estimated $1 billion of cargo daily --- are affecting the Southern California economy. The stoppage also is delaying deliveries of goods destined to retailers for year-end holiday sales.
Also affected are thousands of truck drivers, independent contractors who are paid per haul.
Employers mention the striking union members are the highest paid clerical workers in the U.S. But that is not enough. The union clerks are snubbing an offer of an 18 percent boost in a total compensation package worth $195,000 a year.
******************************************************
UPDATE: Just prior to the arrival of a federal mediator, the clerical workers agreed to a new contract with terminal operators last night. Details were not disclosed. Union members were returning to work today.
******************************************************
Comments