Labor Dispute Stops Operations at Oakland Container Terminal

Port of Oakland The operations at the port of Oaklands largest container terminal were halted on Monday due to a dispute between the unionized dockworkers and their employer. The dispute led to over 20 workers, represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), reportedly being fired after they refused to show up for work 15 minutes earlier than what it says in their contract, according to local media. Other workers at the Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT), one of five situated at the port of Oakland, decided to support their co-workers by stopping operations at the terminal. The port of Oakland said Monday that OICT (SSA) has suspended daytime maritime operations adding that the port expects the operation to resume at the terminal in the evening hours. The port noted that as a result there was light truck traffic at all marine terminals yesterday. The dispute emerged after the operator of the OICT, SSA Marine last week informed the employees that their workday start time would be changed from 7 a.m to 6:45 a.m. An arbitrator was called in to help resolve the dispute with ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents the port’s shipping companies but until then the operations at the container terminal are expected to continue for evening shifts. World Maritime News Staff