PMA’s MINIACE GUARANTEES TECHNOLOGY WON?T IMPACT LONGSHORE JOBS

PMAÆS MINIACE GUARANTEES TECHNOLOGY WONÆT IMPACT LONGSHORE JOBS    The Pacific Maritime Association's Joseph Miniace 'guaranteed' every registered International Longshore and Warehouse Union member's job, even if new technology measures are approved in contract negotiations.
   Talks between the PMA, which represents terminal operators, shipping lines and other employers at U.S. West Coast ports, and the ILWU continued Friday, but it was unlikely the two sides would reach an agreement by the current contract's midnight June 30 deadline.
   Miniace, chief executive officer of PMA, said late Thursday that technology is necessary to make the West Coast waterfront more competitive in the world.
   'We have guaranteed the union that no current registered worker will lose his job as technology is implemented,' Miniace said.
   The PMA said that the issue of technology, which employers said is the key issue to negotiating a new three-year labor agreement, is on the table and being negotiated.
   'What is important is to stay at the table, work through the issues and emerge with a contract that positions the waterfront for another generation of growth,' said Jack Suite, PMA spokesman.