Local Leaders Join SoCal Longshore Workers Over Labor Dispute
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — An ongoing labor dispute threatens to reduce work crews on cargo ships by two-thirds.
In Long Beach Friday, Rep. Janice Hahn and Assemblyman Patrick O'Donnel joined hundreds of longshore workers, who haven't reached a finalized contract with their employer the Pacific Maritime Association.
They are rallying against PMA for allegedly cutting their shifts by more than 60 percent.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union says reducing workers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will slow down the flow of imported raw materials and other goods.
"You can't shut the port down at nighttime and expect the congestion to go away. The ships will continue to pile up. So what we told the employer today is 'Stop with the games. We're here to work,'" said Bobby Olvera of the ILWU.
Ships are continuing to stack up at the ports of L.A. and Long Beach and the PMA blames the union for the back-up.
PMA spokesperson Steve Getzug said, "Since Nov. 3, the ILWU local 13 unilaterally decided to withhold skilled workers who operate yard cranes, we had fewer of them, which has compounded congestion at the ports of L.A. and Long Beach."
Both sides are expected to meet again at the bargaining table Monday.
