The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

Tensions with port employers worsen as walkout enters second week.

Tensions increased in the strike by office clerical workers at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports on Friday as the union picketed a third employer and withdrew its previous wage and benefits proposal.

Cargo handling at the nation’s largest port complex went on unaffected, however, under a waterfront arbitrator’s order that International Longshore and Warehouse Union dockworkers should not honor the picket lines.

The OCU on Thursday began picketing COSCO Agencies (Los Angeles), which performs agency work for China Ocean Shipping Co. The OCU since last week has been picketing Yusen Terminals and the Ports America facilities.

Dockworkers briefly honored the picket lines, but the arbitrator, who had already ruled the OCU was not bargaining in good faith, ordered the dockworkers to return to their jobs.

At the same time, the OCU withdrew its offer to maintain wage and pension levels and left no new proposal on the table, said Stephen Berry, the attorney who is representing 14 marine terminals and shipping lines in the negotiations.

“The OCU claims their actions are aimed at preserving job security, but the harbor employers have already answered that concern by offering protection against layoffs due to existing or new workplace technologies,” Berry said.

He added employers have promised not to outsource or transfer any bargaining unit work away from the OCU and they have added protection against layoffs for any other reason. John Fageaux, OCU president, could not be reached for comment.

Members of the Office Clerical Unit of ILWU Local 63 walked off their jobs at two terminals at midnight June 30 when their three-year contract expired. The OCU, though affiliated with the ILWU, has a separate contract with terminal operators and shipping lines.

The average OCU wage in 2009 was $96,900 and workers receive an additional $66,000 in benefits, according to employers. Employers are offering a $1 per-hour increase and a 10 percent increase in pensions over a six-year contract.

-- Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .