Port of New York-New Jersey work stoppage

Port of New York-New Jersey work stoppage    The New York Shipping Association (NYSA) said terminals have been shut down in the Port of New York and New Jersey.
   “There is currently a work stoppage taking place in the Port of New York and New Jersey. Longshore workers are refusing to cross picket lines established by longshore workers from Philadelphia and perhaps other outside locations who are reportedly protesting certain actions taken by an employer in Philadelphia,” said Joseph C. Curto, president of the NYSA.
   The action was reportedly sparked by Fresh Del Monte Produce's decision to move its business from an International Longshoremen's Association facility in Camden, N.J., to a non-ILA facility operated by Holt Logistics in Gloucester City, N.J.

Curto

   'We feel strongly that these actions by the ILA, in refusing to cross a non-bona fide line, are a violation of the no-strike clause of our current collective bargaining agreement,' Curto said. 'We further believe these actions are completely irresponsible and accordingly we will explore all possible remedies to end this illegal action.”

Devine

   James Devine, chief executive officer of Global Container Terminals USA, which operates container facilities on Staten Island and Jersey City, said terminals were shut down at around 6 a.m. in New Jersey and 8 a.m. in New York after picket lines were thrown up by Camden workers and the lines were honored by ILA workers in New York.
   Monday, after rumors of the impending picketing were obtained, the NYSA obtained a ruling from an arbitrator, Eric J. Schmertz, that “the picketing would constitute secondary activity in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
   “Accordingly the threatened picket lines are not bona fide,” Schmertz said. “Refusal to cross those picket lines is a violation of the no-strike clause of the NYSA-ILA Collective Bargaining Agreement.”
   Devine said the NYSA and terminals are going to court this afternoon in an effort to end the work stoppage.
   Check AmericanShipper.com for updates on this story. ' Chris Dupin