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Moving to USA – West Coast Work Slow Down

  • News

For customers planning on moving to the USA, Abels Moving Services have been made aware of West Coast work slow down at various West Coast Ports. The congestion is at various West Coast Ports.

The West Coast port congestion and work slow down continues in the United States. There have been reports that the teamster unions in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California are picketing various trucking companies and ocean terminals impeding drayage and shuttle access to move containers to and from ports. All terminals are not affected. At this time of the year, importers are sensitive to the timing of the slow down and want their shipments released and delivered on time. Reports of containers misplaced for days and the longshoremen working at a slow rate are affecting every importer and exporter.

Since October 31, members of the International Longshore Workers Union (ILWU) have continued to work slowly in the ports of Tacoma and Seattle. Reports have indicated the dramatic impact these slowdowns are having for the local Washington State apples, Christmas trees and other perishable produce.

Recently, longshoremen on various shifts have walked off the job in Oakland, California. As a result, the terminals have been shut down for the remainder of the shift.

In the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, the ILWU continues to short-shift crew by withholding qualified yard crane operators.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) employees are stating that the union is not sending enough qualified crane operators, warehouse workers and drivers to keep freight moving efficiently. The union says the lack of chassis, power units and van operators are to blame for the slow progress. The port owners agree that there is a chassis shortage, but also say trucks are waiting in long lines with empty chassis waiting for containers to located and flipped on the vacant chassis. The ILWU believes that the reason for the driver shortage is due to poor wages and working conditions.

Based on recent reports, the ILWU and other unions in West Coast ports continue to increase pressure on port operators. Though the port operators continue to maintain confidentiality of the labor negotiations, little has been done to impede access to union members. The unions and their members have begun actions contrary to amicable negotiations.

The West Coast port congestion and work slow down continues in the United States. There have been reports that the teamster unions in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California are picketing various trucking companies and ocean terminals impeding drayage and shuttle access to move containers to and from ports. All terminals are not affected. At this time of the year, importers are sensitive to the timing of the slow down and want their shipments released and delivered on time. Reports of containers misplaced for days and the longshoremen working at a slow rate are affecting every importer and exporter.

Earlier this year, carriers published suggested congestion surcharges in anticipation of the ILWU contract negotiations. Since the carriers published these surcharges well in advance of the implementation, importers and exporters have no recourse with the carriers to negotiate reductions or elimination based on lack of proper notice. Carriers are only required to provide 30 days advance notice of a general rate increase (GRI), or other surcharge implementation. Though Evergreen is the first to give this implementation notice, we can expect other carriers and NVO’s to follow suit rapidly.

For customers moving to the USA please call your Abels customer liaison on their direct line or call head office on +44(0)1842 816600 or email shipping@abels.co.uk