Striking on the dock of the bay
West Coast cargo ports were shut down indefinitely Sunday night after a chaotic day on the waterfront that dashed hopes for a truce between dockworkers and shipping lines, now in their fifth month of troubled contract talks.
Hundreds of cargo-laden ships from San Diego to Seattle were stranded when the Pacific Maritime Assn., which represents international shipping lines and U.S.-based terminal operators, locked out union workers at the start of the 6 p.m. shift.
This strike isn’t solely about money, it’s more about who controls the docks.
Negotiations have bogged down over the association’s desire to introduce new technology such as scanners, sensors and remote cameras, which will cost union jobs. In exchange, the union wants to expand its jurisdiction, set minimum staffing levels, and control the flow of all information through the terminals.