The Port Strike Could Destroy Trucking - 9/18/2024

After spending a little time searching Longshoreman wage, their pay is not very extravagant. In the 80s, comparable to auto worker and me ( counting overtime they would get to match hours i work )
It is a job with a lot if overtime available, so some of those people are grossing more

 

Many Dockworkers Make $150,000 or More. Why They’re Going on Strike. (msn.com)
The workers eventually succeeded, ratifying a new contract that improved their pay by 32% over six years—reaching $60.85 an hour by 2027—as well as a one-time bonus for those who worked through the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic

 

I think the east coast strike is looking for a similar deal - if not better, $69 /hr after 5 years, up from $39.

If I lived close to a port, and drove a truck - I think I’d be burning the truck to the ground and applying at the port.

 

Though I view a lot of your posts as “Salivating for doom to the trucking industry “ - it’s an interesting point.

The message from the port unions includes the “Well, you guys are making bank, so should we”

The trucking industry seems to enjoy high rates and wages when demand is there - but is aghast and disappointed when demand drops and wages lower.

Supply and demand I guess. As a union, the port workers can and will be able to leverage a rather hefty crow bar.

 

####! Are they hiring?

 

Are you a Scab ? They’ll probably hire you now.

 

that 150k
Happens with significant overtime

 

I suspect the barrier of entry into the Union to get a port job is a little higher than what it takes to pull spot freight.

 

I think the union must be pretty strong. That new port they built down in Charleston, is not even being used because the union and the state cant agree on who runs it and automation thats allowed. That port has been useless for about 3 years.

 

I believe from what I’ve read, the longshoremen are worried about the “Automation”.