ILA union members at Global Terminal refuse to work for second straight day
Longshoremen in Jersey City defied a judge's order this morning and have refused to work at the Global Terminal shipping port. The New York Shipping Association says the action by International Longshoremen's Association members is related to a protest over the move of some work done by ILA workers in Camden to a non-ILA facility in Gloucester. Florida-based Del...
Bradley Homman, 45, of Clearfield, Pa., a truck driver for Cowan Systems, outside Global Terminal yesterday.Longshoremen in Jersey City defied a judge's order this morning and have refused to work at the Global Terminal shipping port.
The New York Shipping Association says the action by International Longshoremen's Association members is related to a protest over the move of some work done by ILA workers in Camden to a non-ILA facility in Gloucester.
Florida-based Del Monte Fresh Produce said it decided to move operations because it needed more space.
This morning there were only a couple of people doing some informational picketing, but Global Terminal workers -- about 80 or so who also belong to the ILA -- refused to cross the picket line.
A judge yesterday isssued a restraining order barring ILA members from interfering with normal business operations. In a statement the New York Shipping Association said its attorneys will be returning to court this morning seeking enforcement of the court’s order.
Officials from Global Terminal refused to comment this morning.Here's a statement from Joseph Curto, president of the New York Shipping Association:
“Sadly, a work stoppage continues in the Port of New York and New Jersey which is affecting all of the major facilities. Vessels cannot be worked and cargo cannot be received or delivered. I am not going to try to explain, and certainly not defend, the strategy of the ILA which is today defying the order of Federal Judge Dickinson R. Debevoise to discontinue honoring the picket lines manned by out of town longshoremen.
I am however upset with the fact that ILA workers in the Port of New York and New Jersey are penalizing ocean carriers and marine terminal operators who have absolutely no involvement or relationship what-so-ever with the issues that may be occurring in the Port of Philadelphia. If the union’s strategy is to gain support and sympathy, it appears that the opposite result is occurring. What we have occurring is a classic example of “biting the hand that feeds you.
This action is causing deep economic harm to many innocent parties. Losses being experienced by the ocean carriers alone who have ships idled in the harbor are totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars a day. Others, including all of our port partners, hundreds of independent truckers, warehouse workers and logistics providers are also suffering unforgiveable losses.
It is very disappointing for the entire port community who has been working so hard to prepare the port for increased future business and to handle our current business efficiently. This labor action will no doubt be a setback – and is giving our port an undeserved black eye. In today’s environment of port to port competition and other significant economic challenges, this job action by the ILA is the wrong message, in the wrong port, at the wrong time.”
