ILA to rally at Global in Jersey City

   The International Longshoremen’s Association said it plans to hold a noon rally on Friday at Global Terminals in Jersey City, N.J., to “address growing concerns over terminal management wanting to implement new technology that will reduce ILA employment in the coming years.”
   The ILA said Global plans to introduce new technology as it expands its facility.
   “New technology must be jointly negotiated and the ILA will continue to fight to keep our jobs. The ILA rally on Friday is intended to send a clear message that it will protect hard-won gains of the past,” the union said. “The ILA will not allow management to grab higher profits at the expense of ILA jobs.”
    ILA President Harold Daggett vowed to protect ILA jobs after he was elected head of the union last September, telling members that automation “takes away your jobs and takes away money from your family. I’m not going to let that happen. I’m going to fight it.”
    ILA International and District officers will participate in the rally and the union said it has invited ILA members who are on their lunch breaks at Global Terminals or those not working on Friday to join them to “demonstrate solidarity” as the union prepares to begin negotiations on a new master contract which expires on Sept. 30.
    The ILA said it is conducting economic and labor studies in preparation for the contract negotiations and that it views the rally “as a means to demonstrate to its employers it is serious about protecting jurisdictions, jobs and the future.”
    The union said it is instructing all its members not to interfere with working operations at Global Terminals and for members to work their assigned hours on Friday. — Chris Dupin