3 days away and it's not looking good. Possibly the entire east coast could shut down. Good time to stock up on some items that would be missed if they weren't available in stores or super expensive.

https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/east-gulf-coast-port-contingency-plans-if-ila-usmx-strike/727979/

We're about to experience an "everything shortage"

https://www.kitv.com/news/business/port-strikes-extend-a-new-era-of-american-labor-activism/article_10e3b548-b2b2-5e78-944a-2250612f02a2.html

The importance of unions.   I hope the matter is settled soon to everyone's satisfaction. 

Not too late to stock up on some things.

Peace of mind eases anxiety.

Hawaii won't feel the effect right away and would be a nothing burger if the strike is solved quickly.

The importance of unions.   I hope the matter is settled soon to everyone's satisfaction.

Do you even know what the strikers are striking for?

Wages and automation.

I imagine the two are complimentary.  More automation can increase efficiency and reduce costs which would allow the companies to pay higher wages.

I remember when the Honolulu C&C strike forced the government to increase pay and benefits.  After the increases were agreed to in a new contract, about 15% of the government workforce was fired so the government could afford it.

A coworker's husband was one of the ones fired.  He was a marine biologist.  Try getting a non-government funded job like that after only being on the job for 5 months.

Do you even know what the strikers are striking for?

Wages and automation.

I imagine the two are complimentary.  More automation can increase efficiency and reduce costs which would allow the companies to pay higher wages.

I remember when the Honolulu C&C strike forced the government to increase pay and benefits.  After the increases were agreed to in a new contract, about 15% of the government workforce was fired so the government could afford it.

A coworker's husband was one of the ones fired.  He was a marine biologist.  Try getting a non-government funded job like that after only being on the job for 5 months.

Their last contract was done in 2018. Since the huge increase with online ordering due to COVID, they're working harder. They want a 50% pay increases, but IDK over how long a period. I can't imagine that it's from day 1 as usually it's spread out over X years.

Saw one YT video where worker is blaming bidenomics.

I read reports that dock workers do earn a lot of money.
Wwaaayy more money than I ever made.
Hard to sympathize with them.

Labor Unions have outlived their purpose.  Now it's just mob-style coercion to squeeze employers for more and more/


‘Nice Economy Ya Got There…

…sure would be a shame if something happened to it.’

The head of the Longshoreman’s Union takes undeniable delight in threatening
to shut down the US economy unless we acquiesce not only to their wage demands,
but also to their insistence that no new technology intrude on their God-given right
to maintain their jobs into perpetuity.

Without them, Hawaii wouldnt be getting our beloved aerial fireworks.

Not all unions are bad, but mine was. I was union for around 40 years until we found out the head of the union was dirty. He's in jail now. 

Not all unions are bad, but mine was. I was union for around 40 years until we found out the head of the union was dirty. He's in jail now. 

Unions represent power -- in numbers, voting blocks and money.

You know, when unions strike, the union leaders still have jobs.  it's the worker surviving paycheck to paycheck who are without income when the strike happens.

Union leaders have a need to strike now and then, or the members start to wonder what the heck they've been paying all those dues for. 

There's reason politicians publicly brag about getting a union endorsement.  It means that candidate is willing to push a union agenda in office in exchange for contributions, loans and lots of votes.

If you listen to ILA President Daggett's comments, he's essentially saying the strike will be used to hold the nation hostage until they get what they want.

Not holding a specific company hostage.

Not holding a specific business sector hostage.

But holding the entire nation hostage.

The timing is a little suspect, too.  Maybe this is being done so Biden and/or Harris will have a win before the election by solving the strike -- a real October surprise.

Just stay tuned and see how quickly this plays out and who gets the credit.  The WH doesn't negotiate longshoreman labor contracts, but I bet the credit will go there.

Can't fix a real problem in a month?  Manufacture one.

 

Starting to get more paranoid now.

IDK what their 2018 pay increase was. But like most, I doubt it was all from day 1. Probably X% over the years. So, I kind of get that it's been 6 years and they want more cause cost of living went up since then. But this all depens on what they're currently making.

I would say the biggest concern is the automation. Like the auto industry where much is automated compared to decades ago, maybe they see the writing on the wall.  With cars, it didn't happen over night. But small innovations here and there in the name of safety. Then add in more and more and next thing you know, robots are building cars.

Example concept: Porsche acid dips the entire frame of their cars for rust proofing.  I can image in the 60's it probably took 20 guys holding it to do it or they did it 1 portion at a time. Then they began using lifts, so now you need say 4 guys to just attach the lift to the frame spots. Now the robot grabs the entire frame and does the process. Keeps workers from fumes and getting splashed. Using muscles to hold the parts, etc...

Seen vids in China about the crane operators all in an office operating it remotely. About 12 computer set ups and joysticks.  Compare that to here where it's a guy sitting up in the crane. 

Starting to get more paranoid now.

That means you are beginning to understand.

Stay strong and put your faith in a higher power. The world of men is crumbling.

President Reagan, Rest in Peace Sir, but I really wish you were here with us today and also the POTUS.

The comments of that ILA President are criminal.

Port strike over

focus

it's not over
it's temporarily halted, conveniently, until the election is pau...

Port strike over

Port strike over

The question is, what did Biden promise the union if they waited to strike until the election is over?

The strike has not been settled.  They have suspended / postponed the strike pending a tentative agreement that includes a 62% pay raise over 6 years.

"Effective immediately, all current job actions will cease and all work covered by
the Master Contract will resume," the ILA and USMX said in a joint statement
Thursday evening.

The tentative agreement would increase workers’ wages by 62% over the life of
the 6-year contract, sources familiar confirm to ABC News.

This represents a significant increase from the shipping industry group’s offer of
a 50% wage increase earlier this week. The union had been pushing for a 77%
pay hike over six years.

The tentative agreement would bring the hourly wage for a top dockworker to $63
per hour at the end of the new contract, up from $39 per hour under the expired
contract.

The Maritime Alliance increased its offer amid public pressure from the Biden
administration to put forward a contract offering higher wages.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/dockworkers-strike-suspended-sources/story?id=114445386

What did I say about Biden getting the credit?

Until a contract is ratified by the members and signed by union and management officials, there is no settlement.