Anti-Israel protest interrupts work on ship in Oakland Update of earlier report: Demonstrators protesting events in Gaza idled a Zim Integrated Shipping Services vessel at the Port of Oakland on Sunday, and the ship could not be worked on the day shift Monday because the terminal operator could not secure enough labor. Hundreds of anti-Israel protesters gathered at the SSA terminal on Sunday afternoon after the vessel operated by Zim Integrated Shipping Services arrived in port. Oakland police determined the situation was unsafe for both labor and management, so the terminal operated by SSA Marine was shut down for the evening. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union said dockworkers were unable to report to work on Sunday night “due to volatility associated with a large demonstration,and significant police presence at the gates of the facility.” Jim McKenna, president of the Pacific Maritime Association, the employers’ group that is negotiating a new contract with the ILWU, said police officers did not allow anyone, including management, to access the vessel because of safety concerns. The picketing occurred at a sensitive time because the ILWU on the West Coast is working without a contract. The previous waterfront contract expired on July 1. With no contract in place, employers cannot seek arbitration through the contract’s grievance procedure in the event of a work stoppage. However, in this instance, failure to work the vessel did not result from the ILWU refusing to cross the picket line. “The ILWU has taken no position on the issue associated with the demonstration,” the ILWU stated. “In cases when unsafe circumstances arise at the point of entry, the union must protect the safety of its members in the workplace,” the ILWU stated. ILWU longshoremen and marine clerks stood by at a safe location away from the demonstration point on Sunday, and SSA Marine later released the dockworkers when it became apparent the safety concerns were going to continue, the ILWU stated. SSA intended to work the vessel on the day shift Monday, but was unable to secure enough labor, so the terminal remained closed. SSA plans on reopening the terminal for the Monday night shift. JOC NEWS - AUG 18 2014
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 22:41:44 +0000
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