Associated Press
A container ship was unloaded yesterday at Port of Oakland, Calif. Workers at 29 West Coast ports showed up without a contract yesterday.
Docks keep LOS ANGELES >> Dockworkers kept goods moving through all 29 West Coast ports without any signs of a slowdown yesterday, after walking out of labor contract negotiations during the holiday weekend.
moving smoothly
Stores bulk up in case of port strike
By Simon Avery
Associated Press"All the reports we have received say work is continuing normally," said Jack Suite, director of contract administration for the Pacific Maritime Association, which has threatened to lock workers out if a work slowdown does occur.
The stakes are huge for the national economy, with about $300 billion worth of goods flowing through the ports each year, indirectly responsible for about 4 million jobs and more than 7 percent of the gross domestic product.
"Obviously we will wait and see what develops this week, but the rupture in the negotiations and the expiration of the old contract sends an ominous message to those who rely on the ports," said Robin Lanier, executive director of the West Coast Waterfront Coalition, which represents importers and exporters.
There was no indication yesterday when discussions would resume, with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union accusing management of using "bait and switch" negotiating tactics.
Executives of the ILWU, one of the nation's most powerful unions with some of the best paid jobs in the country, met yesterday to plan their next move, but had not reached a conclusion by late afternoon.
"Everything's an option," spokesman Steve Stallone said.
The union said it ended talks Sunday after the PMA changed the terms for adopting a new benefits plan and reneged on a commitment to make all new jobs created by the implementation of new technology unionized positions.
Negotiations began in May to replace the three-year contract that expired July 1. But talks have been sporadic, with the ILWU blaming the Bush administration for undermining discussions by threatening to keep the ports open with special legislation or replacement military workers.
The collective bargaining process will not work until the White House "butts out of our negotiations," ILWU President Jim Spinosa said in a release Monday.
"The Bush administration has informed us that it has assembled in San Diego trained Navy dock workers from bases around the world and have them ready to move on us," Spinosa said.
Suite laughed at the accusation. "I have no knowledge of that," he said.
