Hands Off October 1 Raise! USMX Informs All Employers Not to Pay Raise
Master Contract Bargaining Update #8 * September 25, 2009

DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE

 In a management memo seen by the Longshore Workers’ Coalition, the United States Maritime Alliance Chairman, James Capo, instructed all employers not to pay the October 1 raise and benefit increases.The memo reads: “Please be advised that ILA President Hughes and I have agreed to hold in abeyance the wage and benefit increase.”

Apparently Hughes has given this permission to management without the approval of any other ILA officer or body.

This is an outrageous violation of the bargaining process which Hughes has said he is committed to honoring. While he promised wage scale delegate and rank-and-file involvement, he has instead reached agreements with managment behind closed doors.

Earlier this week Hughes called a meeting of the Wage Scale Committee in Orlando for September 29 (see bargaining update #7). As reported by the LWC there are rumors that the USMX has sweetened its earlier offer (which was rejected by the ILA) but is still refusing to talk about job security and technology.

The LWC is meeting in Florida and will keep the rank-and-file informed of all new developments.

We will fight to protect what we have already negotiated. We will mobilize members to reject a contract that does not meet our minimum demands.

OUR CONTRACT DEMANDS:
The LWC believes the union must stand by the demands it presented to management last February.

• End to the wage tiers: the union’s demand was three years or 3,000 hours, whichever comes first. The USMX’s most recent offer did not come close.

• Full local negotiations with the right to strike.

• Maintain funding for local benefit plans and our health care, MILA.

• Improve safety by negotiating coast-wide standard for containerized cargo.

• Address technology:
1. End the Container Royalty Cap, so workers can share in our increased productivity.
2. Bring back the Guaranteed Annual Income to protect present workforce from job loss.
3. Expand ILA jurisdiction and organizing to cover new work created by technology.
4. Limit the use of superintendents on technology.

GET INVOLVED & MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
* Get bargaining updates
* Get flyers
* Stand up for our contract
* ILA unity for a strong contract

Send an email to unity2010@lwcjustice.com or call 718-865-8782 to get text updates on your cell.