Issues discussed included port specific problems including jurisdiction, California’s infrastructure problems, discretionary cargo and the widening of the Panama Canal.
“Not only was this meeting informative on the important issues facing California’s ports, but we all were made well aware of the employers making the same orchestrated move on our jurisdiction,” said Local President, Danny Miranda. Local 63 President Peter Peyton was elected chairman and Local 18’s Secretary-Treasurer, Rena Smith, was elected recording secretary.
The representatives not only heard from each other but also from speakers representing railroads (BNSF and UP) and Norman Fassler Katz, Sr. Consultant, California Select Committee on California Ports and Goods Movement. International President Robert McEllrath led a lunch time discussion of contract issues facing the Locals coastwise in 2014. Growing jurisdictional concerns which will affect the entire coast such as Clerk technology and M&R technology were also discussed.
“This was a fantastic meeting. It was good to meet other Longshoremen from California and hear their problems and try to come up with strategies to fight the issues together,” said Anthony Flores, Local 54 LRC Representative. “This meeting could not have come at a better time” said Rena Smith. “It was an eye opener for me to hear that each port in California faces struggles not only with the PMA but other unions trying to take our work. We are going to have many jurisdictional battles for a long time. But we’re tough and with solidarity we will win those battles.”