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Dockworkers vs robots, Los Angeles edition
invite response
2019 Mar 21, 3:05pm 1,349 views 22 comments
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1
MisdemeanorRebel
2019 Mar 21, 4:55pm
MisdemeanorRebel
2019 Mar 21, 4:55pm
Those are autonomous robots that can identify the ships and cargoes, or are they non-autonomous drones controlled/programmed by humans?
If they are guided by radio instructions, they're notautomated
I'm guessing the latter, since nobody has built a robot with even a two-year old human's level of independent perception.
Notice how self-driving cars have slowly been disappearing from the news...
EDIT: Misstated "Automated" when "Autonomous" was meant
If they are guided by radio instructions, they're not
I'm guessing the latter, since nobody has built a robot with even a two-year old human's level of independent perception.
Notice how self-driving cars have slowly been disappearing from the news...
EDIT: Misstated "Automated" when "Autonomous" was meant
2
Heraclitusstudent
2019 Mar 21, 5:17pm
Heraclitusstudent
2019 Mar 21, 5:17pm
MisterLearnToCode says
I think you are a bit negative. This is not very different from Amazon warehouses. An algorithm to choose what container to take next from the ship, actually automatically take it and then put it in a certain place based on some content information. This doesn't seem implausible.
Kick that dog:
www.youtube.com/embed/aR5Z6AoMh6U
Yeah it's a lot of fixed limited framework, no understanding, no common sense decision making or very limited.
But perception is sufficiently good for a shit load of automation.
I'm guessing the latter, since nobody has built a robot with even a two-year old human's level of independent perception.
I think you are a bit negative. This is not very different from Amazon warehouses. An algorithm to choose what container to take next from the ship, actually automatically take it and then put it in a certain place based on some content information. This doesn't seem implausible.
Kick that dog:
www.youtube.com/embed/aR5Z6AoMh6U
Yeah it's a lot of fixed limited framework, no understanding, no common sense decision making or very limited.
But perception is sufficiently good for a shit load of automation.
3
anonymous
2019 Mar 21, 5:17pm
MisterLearnToCode says
If this link below is accurate, this is all programmed with no human interference.
https://www.presstelegram.com/2017/03/18/port-of-las-automated-terminal-future-of-commerce-or-blue-collar-job-killer/
Those are autonomous robots that can identify the ships and cargoes
If this link below is accurate, this is all programmed with no human interference.
https://www.presstelegram.com/2017/03/18/port-of-las-automated-terminal-future-of-commerce-or-blue-collar-job-killer/
5
MisdemeanorRebel
2019 Mar 21, 7:15pm
MisdemeanorRebel
2019 Mar 21, 7:15pm
Heraclitusstudent says
Yep - an algorithm. Not a robot that recognizes the ship, the container, etc. It simply follows the RF track and carries out pre-programmed functions.
They'll save money on guys with flags or flashlights directing trucks, and some of the dock vehicles, but they'll still need to program and maintain the equipment: The vehicles and CPU of the automaton, as well as the RF guidance system, etc.
Kakistocracy says
Programmed = non-autonomous. Also, who will be doing the programming? Not a robot.
I think you are a bit negative. This is not very different from Amazon warehouses. An algorithm to choose what container to take next from the ship, actually automatically take it and then put it in a certain place based on some content information. This doesn't seem implausible.
Yep - an algorithm. Not a robot that recognizes the ship, the container, etc. It simply follows the RF track and carries out pre-programmed functions.
They'll save money on guys with flags or flashlights directing trucks, and some of the dock vehicles, but they'll still need to program and maintain the equipment: The vehicles and CPU of the automaton, as well as the RF guidance system, etc.
Kakistocracy says
If this link below is accurate, this is all programmed with no human interference.
Programmed = non-autonomous. Also, who will be doing the programming? Not a robot.
6
Heraclitusstudent
2019 Mar 21, 10:11pm
Heraclitusstudent
2019 Mar 21, 10:11pm
MisterLearnToCode says
I disagree on this.
Just like program can play chess and make choices, they can observe a real situation and make ad-hoc decisions. This can only happen so far within a limited framework. But given the progress in perceptions the limitations are much less than you would imagine.
Besides inasmuch as humans brains are machines based on the laws of physics, they can be simulated by programs.
It is therefore to simplistic to say programs cannot be autonomous, and to talk of "automatons" and of "pre-programmed" functions.
Machine learning effectively means the algorithm programs itself.
Programs can drive cars in 99% of cases. The fact that they don't is because of the remaining 1%. Imagine the collaboration between a car driver and a pedestrian crossing the street. The exchange of looks & subtle signs. Piloting a crane on a dock may not have as many bad cases.
Programmed = non-autonomous.
I disagree on this.
Just like program can play chess and make choices, they can observe a real situation and make ad-hoc decisions. This can only happen so far within a limited framework. But given the progress in perceptions the limitations are much less than you would imagine.
Besides inasmuch as humans brains are machines based on the laws of physics, they can be simulated by programs.
It is therefore to simplistic to say programs cannot be autonomous, and to talk of "automatons" and of "pre-programmed" functions.
Machine learning effectively means the algorithm programs itself.
Programs can drive cars in 99% of cases. The fact that they don't is because of the remaining 1%. Imagine the collaboration between a car driver and a pedestrian crossing the street. The exchange of looks & subtle signs. Piloting a crane on a dock may not have as many bad cases.
7
anonymous
2019 Mar 28, 11:48am
America's highest paid union at existential risk from widened Panama Canal
West Coast Longshore and Warehouse Union, whose members earn average wages and benefits of $285,000 by raising labor hell, is facing existential risk from the widened Panama Canal.
The San Francisco Chronicle described the 42,000 card-carrying International Longshore and Warehouse Union members that since 1934 has maintained iron-fisted control of all 29 West Coast commercial ports, "the aristocrats of the working class."
ILWU full-time workers receive an average of $175,000 in annual wages, along with a non-wage benefits package costing more than $110,000 per active worker per year. Benefits include fully paid health care, employer 401(k) matching, 13 paid holidays, six weeks of paid vacation, and eligibility for $95,000 pensions with lifetime health care.
But the April 2016 opening of the widened Panama Canal has created the first existential threat to the ILWU's monopoly on handling 80 percent of Asian freight. The $5.25-billion, decade-long project increased maximum transit capacity by over 2.5 times, from 5,000 container "Panamax" ships to 13,000 container "Neopanamax" vessels.
The widened canal is changing U.S. freight patterns on both coasts and within the United States. Shippers pay about $420 to load or unload containers at the ILWU-controlled Port of L.A. versus $240 at Atlantic coast ports including Savannah, Charleston, and New York City. Plus there is the $2.50-per-mile cost of shipping containers by double-stacked trains across the U.S. versus $0.80 per nautical mile to ship a container on oceangoing ships.
That means Asian shipping costs per container to the East Coast are now about $2,000 to $3,000 cheaper using Neopanamax ships transiting the Panama Canal versus unloading at the Port of L.A., trucking to a railhead, and then delivering by train.
The Panama Canal authority has slowly grown reservations for Neopanamax transits to eight per day. Having recently completed its 5,000th transit, the Panama Canal is set to ramp up Neopanamax volume, plus add cruise ships and LNG tanker passages.
In the first tangible proof the Panama Canal widening is an existential threat to the survival of the International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union elite membership, the Port of Los Angeles just announced that its total import and export "loaded" container volumes for February 2019 tanked by 9.21 percent to 490,870 from 540,681 in 2018.
The dire plunge in West Coast port container handling volumes is also hammering U.S. rail car traffic. The American Association of Railroads reported that railcar traffic plunged by 7 percent for the week ending March 9 versus the same week in 2018.
The ILWU master contract with the Pacific Maritime Association employers is set to expire on July 1, 2019. Most analysts predict that another cycle of labor turmoil and port slowdowns will hammer the U.S. economy until the union gets more money.
But the Panama Canal widening has ended ILWU's ability to shut down huge sectors of the U.S. economy.
For the first time, it may be locked out union strikers who lose money.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/03/americas_highest_paid_union_at_existential_risk_from_widened_panama_canal_.html
West Coast Longshore and Warehouse Union, whose members earn average wages and benefits of $285,000 by raising labor hell, is facing existential risk from the widened Panama Canal.
The San Francisco Chronicle described the 42,000 card-carrying International Longshore and Warehouse Union members that since 1934 has maintained iron-fisted control of all 29 West Coast commercial ports, "the aristocrats of the working class."
ILWU full-time workers receive an average of $175,000 in annual wages, along with a non-wage benefits package costing more than $110,000 per active worker per year. Benefits include fully paid health care, employer 401(k) matching, 13 paid holidays, six weeks of paid vacation, and eligibility for $95,000 pensions with lifetime health care.
But the April 2016 opening of the widened Panama Canal has created the first existential threat to the ILWU's monopoly on handling 80 percent of Asian freight. The $5.25-billion, decade-long project increased maximum transit capacity by over 2.5 times, from 5,000 container "Panamax" ships to 13,000 container "Neopanamax" vessels.
The widened canal is changing U.S. freight patterns on both coasts and within the United States. Shippers pay about $420 to load or unload containers at the ILWU-controlled Port of L.A. versus $240 at Atlantic coast ports including Savannah, Charleston, and New York City. Plus there is the $2.50-per-mile cost of shipping containers by double-stacked trains across the U.S. versus $0.80 per nautical mile to ship a container on oceangoing ships.
That means Asian shipping costs per container to the East Coast are now about $2,000 to $3,000 cheaper using Neopanamax ships transiting the Panama Canal versus unloading at the Port of L.A., trucking to a railhead, and then delivering by train.
The Panama Canal authority has slowly grown reservations for Neopanamax transits to eight per day. Having recently completed its 5,000th transit, the Panama Canal is set to ramp up Neopanamax volume, plus add cruise ships and LNG tanker passages.
In the first tangible proof the Panama Canal widening is an existential threat to the survival of the International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union elite membership, the Port of Los Angeles just announced that its total import and export "loaded" container volumes for February 2019 tanked by 9.21 percent to 490,870 from 540,681 in 2018.
The dire plunge in West Coast port container handling volumes is also hammering U.S. rail car traffic. The American Association of Railroads reported that railcar traffic plunged by 7 percent for the week ending March 9 versus the same week in 2018.
The ILWU master contract with the Pacific Maritime Association employers is set to expire on July 1, 2019. Most analysts predict that another cycle of labor turmoil and port slowdowns will hammer the U.S. economy until the union gets more money.
But the Panama Canal widening has ended ILWU's ability to shut down huge sectors of the U.S. economy.
For the first time, it may be locked out union strikers who lose money.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/03/americas_highest_paid_union_at_existential_risk_from_widened_panama_canal_.html
8
anonymous
2019 Mar 28, 11:50am
No whining about unions this time - how odd.
Teachers unions etc want more money and go on strike - god damn unions, lazy sobs, ban all unions.
Longshoreman go on strike and cripple the economy - MAGA.
Maybe time for a PATCO type action against the Longshoremen's Union in the style of the patron saint of the GOP - Reagan.
Teachers unions etc want more money and go on strike - god damn unions, lazy sobs, ban all unions.
Longshoreman go on strike and cripple the economy - MAGA.
Maybe time for a PATCO type action against the Longshoremen's Union in the style of the patron saint of the GOP - Reagan.
9
MisdemeanorRebel
2019 Mar 28, 11:51am
MisdemeanorRebel
2019 Mar 28, 11:51am
Kakistocracy says
Interesting how the professionals are the victims, and the working class the evil, and fake hate crime hoaxers for profits are heroes in the 21st Century Democratic Party
No whining about unions this time - how odd.
Teachers want more money and go on strike - god damn unions, lazy sobs, - longshoreman - MAGA
Interesting how the professionals are the victims, and the working class the evil, and fake hate crime hoaxers for profits are heroes in the 21st Century Democratic Party
10
anonymous
2019 Mar 28, 11:53am
MisterLearnToCode says
Really fast with the spin and deflection today - been practicing ?
Anyway- why when angry Tim Allen types go out on strike is it a good thing but everyone else does not so much.
Interesting how the professionals are the victims, and the working class the evil, and fake hate crime hoaxers for profits are heroes in the 21st Century Democratic Party
Really fast with the spin and deflection today - been practicing ?
Anyway- why when angry Tim Allen types go out on strike is it a good thing but everyone else does not so much.
11
anonymous
2019 Mar 28, 12:10pm
@Quigley
Hey sport, when the guys at work are all wrapped up in the flag and carrying their bibles - maybe a good time to remind them of this little gem.....
Harry Bridges, original name Alfred Bryant Renton Bridges
In 1922 he settled in San Francisco as a longshoreman, and by the 1930s he was fully engaged in the local branch of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), eventually aligning himself with the union’s militant, strongly leftist “Albion Hall” group. In 1934 an ILA strike expanded into a general strike of workers in San Francisco, with Bridges as one of the leaders. In June 1937, alienated from the ILA leadership, he led his Pacific Coast division out of the ILA and reconstituted it as the ILWU, affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).
In 1945 he became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
From 1939 to 1953 his aggressive labour tactics (he organized the Hawaiian sugar and pineapple workers in 1944–46 with particular vigour), together with his Communist Party connections, and his vocal opposition to the cold war, resulted in conservative efforts to have him deported—efforts that were ultimately unsuccessful in the courts.
However, the CIO in 1950 expelled the ILWU during its purge of allegedly communist-dominated unions.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Harry-Bridges
Hey sport, when the guys at work are all wrapped up in the flag and carrying their bibles - maybe a good time to remind them of this little gem.....
Harry Bridges, original name Alfred Bryant Renton Bridges
In 1922 he settled in San Francisco as a longshoreman, and by the 1930s he was fully engaged in the local branch of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), eventually aligning himself with the union’s militant, strongly leftist “Albion Hall” group. In 1934 an ILA strike expanded into a general strike of workers in San Francisco, with Bridges as one of the leaders. In June 1937, alienated from the ILA leadership, he led his Pacific Coast division out of the ILA and reconstituted it as the ILWU, affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).
In 1945 he became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
From 1939 to 1953 his aggressive labour tactics (he organized the Hawaiian sugar and pineapple workers in 1944–46 with particular vigour), together with his Communist Party connections, and his vocal opposition to the cold war, resulted in conservative efforts to have him deported—efforts that were ultimately unsuccessful in the courts.
However, the CIO in 1950 expelled the ILWU during its purge of allegedly communist-dominated unions.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Harry-Bridges
12
MisdemeanorRebel
2019 Mar 28, 12:12pm
MisdemeanorRebel
2019 Mar 28, 12:12pm
Dems, 1950-1989: We gotta get along with the USSR! Stop the Red Baiting. They're people like you and me! Unions are a vital part of America like Apple Pie!
Dems, 1989-2015: Russia is no longer the USSR, dumbass. After the elections I'll have more flexibility, the 80s want their foreign policy back. The USSR wasn't real Socialism.
Dems, 2016-2019: Trump! Russia! Possible! Collusion! Did you know Russia was once the evil Communist USSR!? Also Communist? The dockworkers!
Dems, 1989-2015: Russia is no longer the USSR, dumbass. After the elections I'll have more flexibility, the 80s want their foreign policy back. The USSR wasn't real Socialism.
Dems, 2016-2019: Trump! Russia! Possible! Collusion! Did you know Russia was once the evil Communist USSR!? Also Communist? The dockworkers!
13
anonymous
2019 Mar 28, 12:13pm
MLTC - Is the base unable to answer for themselves ? U must be the designated distracter and answerer today.
14
Bd6r
2019 Mar 28, 12:16pm
Bd6r
2019 Mar 28, 12:16pm
Kakistocracy says
I think there should be no Public Servant unions since they can vote in their salaries and benefits thus shafting taxpayers. Look at oversized police/firepersons/city workers salaries and benefits.
However, unions in private industries should be supported by all means, as they can reign in oversized compensations for Masters of Universe.
No whining about unions this time - how odd.
Teachers unions etc want more money and go on strike - god damn unions, lazy sobs, ban all unions.
Longshoreman go on strike and cripple the economy - MAGA.
Maybe time for a PATCO type action against the Longshoremen's Union in the style of the patron saint of the GOP - Reagan.
I think there should be no Public Servant unions since they can vote in their salaries and benefits thus shafting taxpayers. Look at oversized police/firepersons/city workers salaries and benefits.
However, unions in private industries should be supported by all means, as they can reign in oversized compensations for Masters of Universe.
15
MisdemeanorRebel
2019 Mar 28, 12:18pm
MisdemeanorRebel
2019 Mar 28, 12:18pm
Kakistocracy says
No distraction, just pointing out how the Dockworkers were the woke heroes of the Democrats from the 1930s even up past the Gulf War.
Now that the Dems are the party of the Neoliberal Race-baiters, the Dockworkers need a beatdown to increase the Trade Deficit, and are rotten bastards to be replaced by Robots.
MLTC - Is the base unable to answer for themselves ? U must be the designated distracter and answerer today.
No distraction, just pointing out how the Dockworkers were the woke heroes of the Democrats from the 1930s even up past the Gulf War.
Now that the Dems are the party of the Neoliberal Race-baiters, the Dockworkers need a beatdown to increase the Trade Deficit, and are rotten bastards to be replaced by Robots.
16
anonymous
2019 Mar 28, 12:18pm
d6rB says
Didn't work too well for PATCO did it ?
The trouble with ILWU is the damage done to everyone in the country when they strike - not just the Masters of the Universe.
Then again the UAW is gearing up for shit this summer also so it may be an interesting summer for the economy.
However, unions in private industries should be supported by all means, as they can reign in oversized compensations for Masters of Universe.
Didn't work too well for PATCO did it ?
The trouble with ILWU is the damage done to everyone in the country when they strike - not just the Masters of the Universe.
Then again the UAW is gearing up for shit this summer also so it may be an interesting summer for the economy.
17
anonymous
2019 Mar 28, 12:23pm
d6rB says
The UAW and ILWU doesn't do the same ? We all end up paying for this bullshit.
Then again when one look at Executive Compensation - it's no wonder.
The tipping/breaking point is coming with all of this and when it resets - there will be ugly for everyone to enjoy.
I think there should be no Public Servant unions since they can vote in their salaries and benefits thus shafting taxpayers
The UAW and ILWU doesn't do the same ? We all end up paying for this bullshit.
Then again when one look at Executive Compensation - it's no wonder.
The tipping/breaking point is coming with all of this and when it resets - there will be ugly for everyone to enjoy.
18
Bd6r
2019 Mar 28, 12:24pm
Bd6r
2019 Mar 28, 12:24pm
Kakistocracy says
Acceptable collateral casualty for screwing over Masters of Universe. Nearly any large strike will cause economic problems, as a minimum at local level.
I don't think it is possible to selectively damage just Masters of Universe - but if no one stands up to them, we get what we get now.
The trouble with ILWU is the damage done to everyone in the country - not just the Masters of the Universe.
Acceptable collateral casualty for screwing over Masters of Universe. Nearly any large strike will cause economic problems, as a minimum at local level.
I don't think it is possible to selectively damage just Masters of Universe - but if no one stands up to them, we get what we get now.
19
anonymous
2019 Mar 28, 12:27pm
d6rB says
Not acceptable and in turn they become a smaller version of Masters of the Universe.
Fire them all - start over. Just like PATCO and be done with it.
Acceptable collateral casualty for screwing over Masters of Universe
Not acceptable and in turn they become a smaller version of Masters of the Universe.
Fire them all - start over. Just like PATCO and be done with it.
20
Bd6r
2019 Mar 28, 12:27pm
Bd6r
2019 Mar 28, 12:27pm
Kakistocracy says
Public unions exist just to shaft taxpayers, while private unions at least partially reign in MOU's.
I have no problems with UAW striking as well - executive compensation for Chrysler and GM should have been 0.0000$ for many years after bailout.
The UAW and ILWU doesn't do the same ? We all end up paying for this bullshit.
Then again when one look at Executive Compensation - it's no wonder.
The tipping/breaking point is coming with all of this and when it resets - there will be ugly for everyone to enjoy.
Public unions exist just to shaft taxpayers, while private unions at least partially reign in MOU's.
I have no problems with UAW striking as well - executive compensation for Chrysler and GM should have been 0.0000$ for many years after bailout.
21
anonymous
2019 Mar 28, 5:12pm
How The Widened Panama Canal Is Disrupting U.S. Domestic Transportation
Summary
•Rail traffic is at recessionary levels YoY, and total freight traffic has also declined in the last three months.
•Meanwhile, trucking is doing exceptionally well.
•And East Coast ports appear to be prospering at the expense of West Coast ports.
•All of this appears to be a secular and ongoing consequence of the widening of the Panama Canal that began accepting bigger ships in late 2016.
•As a result, the YoY decline in total freight traffic in the past 3 months may be overstating recent economic developments such as tariffs.
Introduction
Every week I include the AAR’s rail carloads statistics as part of my “Weekly High Frequency Indicators.” Typically these have moved in tandem with trucking, but have the advantage that trucking statistics are only reported monthly and with a delay.
Recently, rail carloads have been tanking. Here’s the most recent AAR chart from last week:
Not only were both intermodal and carloads down sharply for the week compared with one year prior, but they are also down YoY for the entire year of 2019 so far! This is a downright recessionary statistic.
Meanwhile, the monthly Cass Freight Index was reported today for the month of February, and also shows a YoY decline in total freight — including rail, trucking, shipping, and air freight — for the third month in a row:
More Including Graphics: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4249953-widened-panama-canal-disrupting-u-s-domestic-transportation
Summary
•Rail traffic is at recessionary levels YoY, and total freight traffic has also declined in the last three months.
•Meanwhile, trucking is doing exceptionally well.
•And East Coast ports appear to be prospering at the expense of West Coast ports.
•All of this appears to be a secular and ongoing consequence of the widening of the Panama Canal that began accepting bigger ships in late 2016.
•As a result, the YoY decline in total freight traffic in the past 3 months may be overstating recent economic developments such as tariffs.
Introduction
Every week I include the AAR’s rail carloads statistics as part of my “Weekly High Frequency Indicators.” Typically these have moved in tandem with trucking, but have the advantage that trucking statistics are only reported monthly and with a delay.
Recently, rail carloads have been tanking. Here’s the most recent AAR chart from last week:
Not only were both intermodal and carloads down sharply for the week compared with one year prior, but they are also down YoY for the entire year of 2019 so far! This is a downright recessionary statistic.
Meanwhile, the monthly Cass Freight Index was reported today for the month of February, and also shows a YoY decline in total freight — including rail, trucking, shipping, and air freight — for the third month in a row:
More Including Graphics: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4249953-widened-panama-canal-disrupting-u-s-domestic-transportation
22
AD
2019 Mar 28, 8:25pm
AD
2019 Mar 28, 8:25pm
Kakistocracy says
Yes, and that showed the Kremlin that Reagan was boss in the USA and not afraid to go against the establishment's conventions.
Fire them all - start over. Just like PATCO and be done with it.
Yes, and that showed the Kremlin that Reagan was boss in the USA and not afraid to go against the establishment's conventions.
Dockworkers in Los Angeles are making a last stand against the automation of lucrative port jobs, in a backlash that affects a vital link in global trade.
The International Longshore & Warehouse Union is fighting a plan by Denmark’s AP Moller-Maersk to use unmanned electric vehicles instead of diesel trucks to shuttle shipping containers around the largest port terminal in the US. The move would cut the company’s costs by reducing the need for truck drivers, and aid compliance with California’s tough air pollution rules.
The Los Angeles board of harbour commissioners is due to vote Thursday morning on Maersk’s proposal at a hearing scheduled in a cruise-ship baggage hall to accommodate crowds. The union has enlisted elected officials, including two US congresswomen and the speaker of the state assembly, to its side. “
We represent humans, not robots. Humans need employment,” Ray Familathe, a union official, told commissioners at an earlier hearing.
The union agreed in 2008 to allow west coast terminal owners to introduce automation in a deal that required terminals to increase wages and pension benefits.
The average southern California longshore worker earned $131,000 in 2017, according to the Pacific Maritime Association, the terminals’ bargaining group.
Two other terminals on San Pedro Bay, at Los Angeles and the port of Long Beach, have already introduced self-driving technology such as “straddle carriers” that grab containers on the wharf and stack them for hauling away. Maersk opened the world’s first fully automated terminal in Rotterdam in 2015.
As the technology spreads, the union has sought to block the Maersk project by trying to overturn a construction permit for the installation of charging stations, traffic barriers, fences and WiFi antennas. “That is their last leverage point in preventing automation from actually taking place,” said Josh Brogan of AT Kearney, a consultancy.
The union represents dockworkers at about 30 ports along the US and Canadian Pacific coasts and in Panama, giving it influence in world trade flows. Difficult contract talks led to a port slowdown in 2014-15 that snarled supplies for manufacturers and retailers and exports of farm goods.
Los Angeles, the busiest US merchandise port, moved a record 9.5m 20-foot equivalent containers last year. It and Long Beach handled a third of US container traffic in 2018.
The two ports in 2017 adopted a clean air plan that requires terminal operators to deploy “the cleanest equipment available” in cargo handling with a goal of zero emissions by 2030. Maersk’s APM Terminals division said that by automating cargo handling, it could reduce diesel truck travel on its site by 65 per cent.
“Our company is trying to do exactly what California, the local air district, the city, the port, environmental groups and local communities have directed marine terminals to do — improve the environment and public health by reducing diesel and greenhouse gas emissions,” the company said.
The union argues that installing clean technology needn’t come at the expense of jobs. Even with electrification, “there are other vehicles that can be used that human intervention can do,” Mark Mendoza, president of ILWU Local 13, told a hearing in January.
The situation in Los Angeles contrasts with that at terminals on the US Atlantic coast, which promised not to automate under a six-year contract extension agreed last October with the International Longshoremen’s Association, a union from which the ILWU split in the 1930s.
“We were totally opposed to fully automated terminals and got the guarantees from our employers that they would not construct them during the life of our new package,” said Harold Daggett, ILA president. “We are committed to give our employers far superior productivity and increase our hourly container moves, far better than any robot or automation could do.”
In Los Angeles, the city council has the power to overturn decisions of the harbour commissioners. Council member Joe Buscaino has urged a delay to Maersk’s project until terminal owners address the union’s job concerns.
The automation fight comes amid a leadership struggle at Local 13, which represents more than 10,000 dockworkers in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Last week, Mr Mendoza lost his bid for re-election, leaving Mr Familathe and another challenger on a runoff ballot, union records show.
A call to the local union office was not returned.
https://www.ft.com/content/dfbf8be6-4b17-11e9-bbc9-6917dce3dc62
#Ports #Automation #Unions #Jobs
Fully automated AutoStrads move shipping containers at the Port of Los Angeles