According the following article published on the Journal of Commerce’s web page, JOC-Article1-1-15, ILWU representative Adan Ortega released a letter sent to Macy’s related to the Employer’s announcement that they plan to start ordering only 1 gang per vessel.
Why write to Macy’s, and why release this kind of information? How about releasing the details of the PMA offer that was rejected by the Union?
PMA’s move is bold, and on first glance seems like something that may motivate the Union into changing their strategy and possibly agree to mediation, however it is a little like cutting their nose to spite their face.
Because PMA has refused to register new longshoremen they are employing a great number of casuals, on a daily basis.
Cutting gangs on the night shift, will cause the night workers to work on the dayside and the casuals will lose their work to the registered longshoremen who make the switch.
The Union has the ability to shift and shrink in a way that allows them to continue doing what they are doing.
PMA on the other hand needs the casual hours to fund the benefits that get paid to registered workers. PMA depends on the assessments on casual hours, for benefits that they are not eligible for, to fund the money they pay toward the registered workers benefits. No casuals will not hurt the Union, but will cost the Employers.
Both sides need to quit playing games, and get back to the table and hammer out their differences, for everyone’s sake.