Port clerks reach tentative agreement on contract

Local 63 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, the union for clerks who handle all the paperwork for ships coming to and leaving the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, reached a tentative agreement today on a new contract with 17 of the world's shipping lines and terminal operators, sources close to the talks said.

Details of the agreement were not immediately available, and union leaders and representatives for the companies were still huddled at a Long Beach conference center. Full details are expected this afternoon.

The deal, if ratified by union members, would avert a strike that could have shut down the nation's two busiest container ports. Because the two ports move more than 40% of the nation's container cargo, a strike might have led to federal intervention for the third time in 36 years to bring a strike to an end.

As they like to say in business, it's a win-win for everybody involved. Glad the clerks didn't have to strike. You didn't hear about it in the papers, but I could tell there has been a work slow down at the port for a few weeks. The trucks were backed up to the 47 Freeway. I had trouble getting out of my workplace.

...Today was smooth sailing for all trucks. It showed me that the contract was settled. Personally, I owe ILWU a debt of gratitude. I don't want to reveal too much here. They are honorable union members who showed me what solidarity means. Unions on average are weak and easily broken. Most union leaders are lazy and sell out their members. That cannot be said for ILWU.

ILWU are our neighbors, family and friends. I do not understand why they don't get more support from the community. Why support the CEO's who live on the hill? I have a theory it is because Americanism is mostly about individualism. We believe we all should succeed on our own merits and hard work. I feel that too. Unfortunately, the big fat corporate CEO's have all the advantages and unions are needed. I wish ILWU luck in their future struggles. I envy them also ...since police and fire unions are prohibited from striking.