Ira,
"Failure to take advantage of technology does not save jobs in the intermediate time frame. The jobs are saved for a short period of time, until the inefficiency becomes too much of a competitive disadvantage and the company that failed to upgrade dies and the more efficient company takes over the revenue base.
This is about preserving the Union Leadership, not the best interests of the workers."
So true. I have strong negative feelings toward the LONGSHOREMAN UNION, since I have had direct dealings/negotiations with them when I was in the steamship industry. Frankly, I have the lowest respect for them.
I do not know the exact rates levels on the West Coast, but on the East Coast, let me share some figures that is around at least 6 years old since I left the industry in 1996:
Container Crane operator - $115,000-$120,000 per year
Clerk - $85,000 per year(clerks just adds data into computer)
Guaranttee Annual Income Fund(GAI) - in NY, $500 per each container that crosses the berth, no labor
2600 TEU VESSEL - approximate operational costs $27,000 per day(believe its higher now and many vessels are much larger than 2600)
From what I understand, one of the main complaints from the union is that they want to re-input the manifest/bill of lading data into the computor. When the ships depart the overseas port of origin, all of the data is already inputted into a computor. So they want to re-input the data to save these high paying jobs.
30-40+years ago most cargo were moved in break-bulk vessels since containerization was not around yet. That was dangerous work, getting into a vessel hole and hooking/unhooking/lashing/etc. Now with containerization safety has increased dramatically, not to say that there isnt some danger at the terminal. I heard one union representative mention the accident levels, and that there has been serious injuries, including deaths. Well, it may be possible that if the union had stronger controls over they people and put strong penalties on those who come to work drunk, maybe there would be less injuries - saw it with my own eyes. Oh, thats right - LONGSHOREMAN dont drink - NOT!!!!
So the LONGSHOREMEN have little concern with what their effects they are having on the economy - losing 1 billion a day to, just so they can RE-INPUT the DATA to save their $80,000 clerical jobs. |
