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Looking for data showing the effect of unemployed workers on the container lift numbers at Los Angeles and Long Beach.

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  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Midwestern U.S.
  • 99 posts
Looking for data showing the effect of unemployed workers on the container lift numbers at Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Posted by iawestern on Monday, April 26, 2021 8:43 PM

This is for a project.  Am looking for data that would prove or disprove the fact that unemployed workers not returning back to work on the lift process at the 2 ports mentioned above, would contribute to the backlog problem currently going on.  In other words, is the number of container ships waiting their turn to get into the ports partially caused by unemployed workers choosing not to return back to work?  

Thx in advance,

Mark

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Monday, April 26, 2021 9:23 PM

iawestern
This is for a project.  Am looking for data that would prove or disprove the fact that unemployed workers not returning back to work on the lift process at the 2 ports mentioned above, would contribute to the backlog problem currently going on.  In other words, is the number of container ships waiting their turn to get into the ports partially caused by unemployed workers choosing not to return back to work?  

Thx in advance,

Mark

I have no knowledge of the direct information you are seeking.

I do wonder - what sort of wages and/or work rules are being offered to dock workers to return to duty?

REMEMBER - Employees work for MONEY not prestige.

Additionally there are many moving parts to container handling from vessel to leaving the port.  To get the container off the vessel it has to have 'someplace' to go - be that a bottom with road wheels or a designated storage location within reach of the container crane.  The bottom with road wheels need to have a tractor with driver available at the time the crane operator is ready to ground the container.  This all presumes that the specific container terminal has a sufficient number of bottoms - yes they can be created when Export containers are pick up and loaded - but it is a on going well timed juggling game - one bobble and thing back up, slow down and come to a stop.  Additionally are there OTR truckers or sufficient footage of railroad intermodal cars available to be loaded and what it the mix between OTR and railroad as the containers come off the vessel.

Needless to say both OTR and railroad must remove their hauls from the terminal and have empty cars or OTR drivers avilable for what is still to come.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    June 2019
  • 313 posts
Posted by Juniata Man on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 7:31 AM

The ILWU (International Longshore & Warehouse Union) should have all the info you're looking for. 

I'll add that I am doubtful that unemployed longshoremen refusing to return to work has anything to do with the logjam at west coast ports. Longshoremen are VERY well paid - far exceeding what a furloughed worker can receive through unemployment and the Federal Covid premium.

I believe your research will find it's simply too many container ships arriving at the same time.

CW

  • Member since
    July 2016
  • 2,631 posts
Posted by Backshop on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 7:35 AM

Juniata Man

The ILWU (International Longshore & Warehouse Union) should have all the info you're looking for. 

I'll add that I am doubtful that unemployed longshoremen refusing to return to work has anything to do with the logjam at west coast ports. Longshoremen are VERY well paid - far exceeding what a furloughed worker can receive through unemployment and the Federal Covid premium.

I believe your research will find it's simply too many container ships arriving at the same time.

CW

 

I would agree and add that I'm sure the union has a long list of applicants for any unfilled positions.

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • 4,557 posts
Posted by Convicted One on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 9:38 AM

Perhaps there is an ~Eduardo Moreno~  effect going on?  

Must have been some reason they were suppressing his story?  Mischief

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