Longshoremen union members in Juneau will continue protests at certain cruise lines that do not hire union workers to tie up cruise ships in Southeast ports, but the cruise lines say they are doing nothing wrong by hiring non-union labor.
International Longshore Warehouse Union members protested Monday in front of a Celebrity Cruise ship, one of several cruse lines union members say avoid hiring union workers.
John Binkley, president of the Alaska Cruise Association, said nothing has changed since the union protested in 2011 (goo.gl/JGstU).
Cruise lines, Binkley said are “not required to use union labor.”
Cruise lines are following the rules, Binkley said.
“We are talking about the smaller ships that lighter the passengers from ship to shore,” Binkley said. “I thought it was pretty well resolved.”.
Cruise lines do work with the longshoremen’s union, Binkley said. “It is an agreement that has worked many years and is seems to have worked fine.”
Union members have a different view of the overall situation.
“We haven’t gained an inch,” Southeast Stevedoring’s Lester Cole said. “They have gone to hiring American labor now but they are still staying away from the longshore union, saying they don’t need to hire us.”
Cruise lines must hire legal U.S. workers. Here Alaska Cruise Association and Alaska Customs agree with union members.
But there is no rule that requires a cruise line to hire union, the organizations have said.
“But now we are still having difficulty getting Customs and Border Patrol to enforce the letter of the law that says foreign flagged vessels are required to contact a contract stevedoring company to hire local U.S. longshoremen,” said Dennis Young, ILWU’s Alaska Longshore Division Unit 16 president and Southeast Area committee member.
Assistant Port Director Jeffery Lisious said U.S. Customs does what it is tasked to do in accordance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act. He said customs monitors people doing work on U.S. soil. People doing work on a dock must be approved to work, Lisious said. However, Lisious admits “it’s a tricky subject.”
Customs has about 130 to 140 employees in Alaska. “60 percent are out meeting aircraft and arriving ships,” Lisious said. “We are insuring all folks are U.S. citizens or authorized to work in the U.S.”
Lisious said customs and border protection does not make the decision whether tying up the shuttle boats is longshore work.
“We still claim that even the tying up of tenders (cruise line passenger transports) is longshore work,” ILWU’s Dennis Young said.
• Contact reporter Russell Stigall at 523-2276 or at russell.stigall@juneauempire.com.
Comments (57)
Add commentWhat a bunch of whiners, typical
BS of Unions.
You are not allowed to save money but must be raped by us.
A perfect example of some group shoving thier unwanted demands onto someone else.
I have witnessed small business's driven out of business by arrogant power mongel Unions.
Unions are getting to big for thier britches and should be shut down. They do nothing but screw the economy, and all non-members and I have yet to see one who does much more than collect dues from thier members.
(The company is driven to bankruptsy due to Union requirements. The Union would rather see the company fail and the members out of work than give concessions and then the members recieve nothing from the unions but demands for dues)
A Unions definition of negotiating, lets see, union says give us what we want whether you can afford it or not or we'll drive you out of business.
DOWN WITH UNIONS !!!
Mr Moses:
"Liter" is a unit of liquid volume, used by most of the rest of the world. The word your author is looking for is "lighter".
You're welcome.
To Slegnawons
Unions in Alaska play an important role in the Alaskan economy. If you have looked into the history of how Alaskan Unions have played a vital part in each community you would have understood the concept that hard earned money that people who work for the state, teachers and so on pay into the economy.
Unions provide a safe work environment and to ensure a steady job and health care. Union people are just ordinary people who care about their income, safe employment and a strong community they call home.
I support our Longshoreman who do a great job in what they do and they demand our hightest respect.
get over it
sounds as though customs & border patrol is doing just what obama & DHS secretary has ordered in Arizona. We all sing now I've got friends in low places.
"Juneau's cost of living is
"Juneau's cost of living is DIRECTLY tied to unions."
Amen...
@NewLife
You stated "Juneau's cost of living is DIRECTLY tied to unions."
Please explain- I do not see the connection.
Unions
I support hard workers.
Some belong to unions.
Some jobs require the support a union provides or jobs will be lost to Americans because their jobs will be placed elsewhere to save money (i.e. when cruise lines allow their crew to tie up to our docks).
Yes, some unions are very powerful...kind of like some SuperPACs are powerful.
Greed and corruption are in all places - not just the right and not just the left.
Those of you who only blame Unions or only blame Corporations belittle your point when you reveal your one-sided views.
Unions can have value
Blanket statements on either side are ignorant. For often seasonal industries unions make sense. Longshoremen is often seasonal, cruise ships are not year round. The employer can change from job to job. Belonging to a union gives one the opportunity to get health insurance and build a retirement, two things that would not be possible in an industry where your "employer" can change from one day to the next. The same can be said for those who work in the construction trades. Heavy Equipment Operators may work for different companies year to year depending on who get the work. Many are unemployed during the winters. Belonging to the union provides health coverage year round, not just when there is work and not after a 60 day probation period.
I find it interesting that the same people that demand personal responsibility, scream and demean those who are taking responsibility. There are some unions that have out lived their usefullness, to be sure. But not all, and Juneau is not dying because of them.
@NewLife
Me and "my kind" ?
What exactly are you assuming?
Maybe you should take a deep breath and attempt to speak in a civil manner for once...Further, I think you may need to look into taking Economics 101. Just sayin'
You think Juneau is expensive now?
Just think- if all those "union thugs" and zombies were to leave town and take their jobs with them - - Juneau would become a village over night. How expensive do you think the cost of living would be then?
I don't understand why the
I don't understand why the union has chosen this issue to fly the flag on. The few times that the ships need lightering service can't possibly amount to much in the way of income for the employee or, more importantly, money for the union boss. Can it?
I don't understand why the
I don't understand why the union has chosen this issue to fly the flag on. The few times that the ships need lightering service can't possibly amount to much in the way of income for the employee or, more importantly, money for the union boss. Can it?
Newlife was beat up in school
Newlife was beat up in school a lot I'm guessing. Mighty big behind a computer. That or he just needs to realize blaming everyone else for everyone's faults just makes him come across bitter uneducated and frankly abusive, which gets him nothing and no one listens to someone like that.
But keep up the really LOUD typing so we all know how mad you are!!
Collective bargaining
I became involved with joining a union when individual bargaining against large organizations put good, hard-working people at a great disadvantage. One person, and individual, trying to improve their life was no match for an organized agency or employer. It was like the old days of "Lords" of the land and "serfs" who had to do and work as their lords and masters decreed. Collective bargaining was and is a balance to the rule of the wealthy and powerful.
Unions are no more corrupt than many businesses, banks or corporations.
So all you folks who hate and despise unions I hope you enjoy the weekend without having to work, have some compensation if you are disabled, or unable to work, or lose your job, and you have health care -- all brought to you by the work and dedication of people who choose to bargain as co-workers and benefit even those who are not union members.
@lvmykyk - you're making the
@lvmykyk - you're making the perfect case to get rid of employer supplied health insurance. It should not be tied to employment. We should be able to purchase plans that fit our age and lifestyle (like car insurance). Wages could go up too if employers didn't have to supply healthcare to their workers.
Think how silly this statement is - "Belonging to the union provides health coverage year round, not just when there is work and not after a 60 day probation period."
You can't be serious - who pays for that "coverage year round" when the employee isn't working? That means every union contract in town will have to be that much more expensive to compensate the non-workers. In turn, that drives up the prices in town - housing, food, etc.
Nothing is free...and almost every single time, you and I pay through higher taxes and higher consumer prices.
Sour Grapes much?
Sounds like someone who wasn't allowed in the clubhouse, guessing as to what is going on inside. Might want to have that looked at.
My type of thinking has kept food on my table, money in the bank, family insured, roof over our heads, and still had a little left over to share with the charities of my choice. I would say I think rather well.
When in an industry with somewhat transient employment joining a union is very responsible and wise. It allows you to get those benefits like insurance and retirement that come with those who stay with the same employer for 30 years. They also allow employers to get skilled and trained individuals for short term jobs. As one who enjoys a long drive, I appreciate that.
Thank you for thinking of me and my paddling needs. I need a sitter so I can get some more time in, you offering?
wally - of course you're
wally - of course you're praising unions as you're now reaping the rewards. And I'm going to assume that you're part of a public sector union. We don't have "lords and serfs" in a free market. And continually bashing corporations is tiresome. If you don't like where you work you're free to go work somewhere else. Do you look at the facts of union pensions? They're broke and unsustainable without huge influxes of money. Is that "fair" for your children or mine to have to pay higher taxes to fund the lavish rewards that are public sector pensions? No, it's not.
Private sector unions have pretty much outlived their usefulness too. They make up about 7% of the private sector workforce. For such a small number they sure carry a heavy stick and have mucho political influence. Just proves that there's lots of money and clout involved. I'm not so much against the private unions except when they revert to thug tactics to increase membership. Like the garbage the NLRB proposes. That's just wrong to treat a private business and employees that don't want to join a union that way. Eventually they will wither and go away.
And the weekends off and health insurance and whatever else we're supposed to be kisssing the feet of unions for is old and outdated and doesn't fly in the 21st century. No one is buying it anymore.
What say you union lovers about the destruction that the union thugs caused to the Wisconsin state capital building? Not real good PR...
Non worker?
How much do you honestly know about the trade unions? Those who work trades? I would not refer to any of them as non workers. Yes their employment is seasonal, but they work as many hours in that season or more than the rest of us do in a calendar year. They pay into their inusrance with every hour they work. They pay into their retirement with every hour they work. They just work hard enough during the season to pay up for the whole year.
Even if they work year round often it is for different contractors. Every employer has a probationary period when you hire on and do not get insurance or other benefits. You know what would happen without the union? Lay offs every 59 days to avoid providing insurance, "job ended". How many skilled laborers would stick around for that? Bids are awarded to the lowest bidder, want to guess what kind of roads we would have then? Quality of construction would go way down. Lawsuits way up because of sloppy work.
@kyk - Your words, not mine -
@kyk - Your words, not mine - "Many are unemployed during the winters." I'd call that non workers.
Then you write - "Yes their employment is seasonal, but they work as many hours in that season or more than the rest of us do in a calendar year."
I'm not buying it...I thought unions had rules about how many hours you can work and all kinds of other stuff.
Calypso,
We don't have "lords and serfs" anymore?????
I'm sorry your eyesight and understanding of today have degenerated so that you can't see large corporations, businesses, and many others taking advantage of those who are simply trying to make a living. We still have Lords, masters and workers.
I guess for you workers in China, India, many workers on cruise ships coming to Juneau.... and local people working two or three jobs just to pay daily expenses are beyond your vision.
If they were allowed to come together and bargain for better working conditions that might help them.....
You are really out of date on things, with stupid statements like "kissing the feet of unions is old and outdated".... I guess that's what happens to all of us as we grow older and more senile.
Thought but don't know
You are lumping all unions in one barrel. Some unions may have limited hours. But I am speaking to trade unions, it has been my experience that hours are not limited, or those limits are set extremely high. I am aware of more than a few shifts lasting over 24hrs.
And yes, many are unemployed in the off season. I certainly wouldn't call them non workers. They get right back to work when the next season starts.
Not all unions are the same, not even close. They can't be, not all industries are the same. I am not personally familiar with every union. But I have some experience with the Local 302, and I can say with conviction it is nothing like the GGU, which I also have some experience with.
Kissing the feet of unions ???
Calypso, I don't know, but assume you have probably never been a member of a collective bargaining unit, even though you may have benefited from what collective bargaining has gained for workers in our nation.
When I was a teacher, a worker in our local community college, we didn't get "sabbatical leaves" like faculty in large universities. We did manage to get a "professional development leave" for a limited number of faculty who would get their salary paid for six months if they applied and showed how their leave would benefit their teaching.
I was on the committee to evaluate those applications one year when we had two more applicants than we were allowed to fund, and so we rejected two applications because their proposals would not seem to benefit their teaching. Who did we reject? We rejected the application of the president of the union and the local representative.
I don't think that is really "kissing the feet of the unions." I think it is co-workers, mutually responsible, doing what is best for those they serve.
Abortion, religion, and
Abortion, religion, and unions, three topics nobody wins in a debate. lol I have never seen more whiney, lazy always want something for nothing than unions and most of their workers. Why do we need osha if we have the spend more time at the safety meetings than working unions. It’s clear why they never get the jobs done on time. Unions are nothing more than a corrupt mafia and I hope to see them fall to nothing in my life time. If you produce poor quality work you don’t get more jobs. There are plenty of non union companies that produce excellent work. This isn’t 1920 unions are outdated we don’t need them anymore.
@wally - you're not allowed
@wally - you're not allowed to change my words to make your point! I said we don't have "lords and serfs in a free market".
You ignored the free market part and went on to try and make a point that unions would protect workers in China. Yeah, probably unions would be a great idea in a communist country, but I don't see that happening.
There's your progressive ideology again - giving the evil eye to corporations! We just don't think the same, hence, our solutions and the end results probably won't match.
And your example of collective bargaining in universites is case study #1 for how public sector unions have run amok. How much is tuition this year and how much are the taxpayers going to be on the hook to keep the university's door open? I rest my case...
My impression of unions is they're always working to game the system and get as much as they can from someone else while stuffing their own pockets.
Calypso
I hope you have looked at the University budget carefully and have seen that much of that increased tuition goes for buildings and administration.... its not all because of unions or faculty.
I am sure that it is "your impression" of unions.... it may not be factual, or just a illusion.... but I guess it is your impression.
@NewLife
If a hug is what you need then just say so...
I'm sure that you and Calypso can get together and hate the world together, play footsy and watch Fox and Friends to your dark little hearts content.
Judging by your abundant, upprovoked anger - unions are the least of your issues pal. Take a deep breath and find your happy place.
For the ones who made comments against Unions
Just a note,
Many comments that have been express, I believe you have no idea what a union really is or does.
So bare in mind Union is a good thing for any communities, people who belong to a union are hard working people who give a lot for their community.
My question to you..what have you contributed to your community beside "full of bs."
New Life get a life!
You really need new materials on how you say things without even looking at the whole picture!
So my suggestion to you and others look into the situation before you look really stupid! (already are!)
Look at both sides of the coin before making any judgement call..oh wait..you don't know how to do that...I guess there is no book for dummies like you!
It is fair to say anyone who
It is fair to say anyone who shows up to work every day contributes to the community,union or not. Oh and those damn non union volunteers. Fireman, EMS, social workers.........etc. would that be contributing to the community? I guess not to you LM.
@ newlife, "If you union
@ newlife,
"If you union pukes and others like you would leave town, please do ASAP, then prices would sink like a stone, REAL AMERICANS would have work, earning a REASONABLE WAGE and JuNO would be a very nice place to live!
But Y'all are going to be "doubling down" on DingleBarry Husein, so Y'all will get exactly what Y'all deserve!"
Well, not being in a union, I guess I can express my opinion of unions from an independent perspective. But first, can I just say, you sound like a raving lunatic, and if I had no prior knowledge of unions, I could still make an accurate judgment of union haters. People like you are the bottom of the barrel, vocally expressing your unreasonable hatred for those you don't even know, with little or no understanding of even why you do hate them. Unions... so all union members are scum and make this nation that you supposedly love a bad place?
Unions actually helped shape this country and its workforce, so if you love this country you probably appreciate unions. If you hate unions, maybe you don't really like this place you call home.
If everyone else is the problem, maybe you should consider that possibly, it's just you. Insane people always think everyone else is crazy. Take your meds, wash it down with a cold bud, and lay back enjoying the weekend that unions gave you. If you don't like your working conditions, you could always move to China. Except unions are growing in China now... weird huh?
i see
the cottonwoods are dropping their seeds, too nice a day to get all worked up. How about we all agree to disagree civilly?