Labor Issues: Ports Open to IT

WEST COAST DOCKWORKERS and their employers recently settled a dispute that centered on the introduction of new information technology and shut down ports from San Diego to Seattle for 10 days last fall (see “Dockworkers vs. IT,” Dec. 1, 2002).

A new six-year pact, which the dockworkers’ union was to approve this month, means ship operators and terminal companies can use new technology such as bar code scanners. International Longshore and Warehouse Union members (who expect to lose 400 jobs) will get increased wages and benefits.