With the deadline for a potential walkout looming, the union representing office clerical workers in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach sent their to shipping lines and terminal operators late Wednesday, three-and-one-half hours before the midnight expiration of the previous contract.
The Office Clerical Unit of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63 called for a 21 percent increase in wages over the next three years, including the union’s proposal for benefits. The package would represent a total increased cost to employers of 32 percent over three years, according to Stephen Berry, the lead negotiator for employers.
“That is hardly evidence of good-faith negotiating,” he said. Berry said he would respond to the OCU’s proposal by midnight.
OCU President John Fageaux was not immediately available for comment. Given the short window employers had for a response, it appeared unlikely that OCU members would walk off their jobs.
Fageaux earlier said the new contract would be based primarily upon job security for OCU workers. He said employers intend to use information technology to reduce work opportunities for OCU members and to outsource existing work to overseas locations.
Employers say they have not transferred union-represented work overseas and do not plan to do so. All current employees will retain their jobs “despite inconsistent availability of work,” Berry said.
The final night of negotiations before the midnight deadline started off on a bad note. The plan was for both sides to exchange contract proposals at a meeting set for 6 p.m.
However, Berry turned down the union’s request to meet at its office in Long Beach, and OCU negotiators refused Berry’s request to hold negotiations at his office in Costa Mesa in Orange County.
Due to the impasse, no face-to-face negotiations were held on Wednesday.
Berry said the primary demand of employers in the new contract is for flexibility to use workers only when there is sufficient work to be done. Under the current contract, if an employee calls in sick, or is on vacation, the union will dispatch another worker to fill the spot.
The OCU contract provides for 21 to 23 paid holidays, 13 to 15 paid sick days and an average of more than four weeks of vacation each year. Employers say the average worker is off for some reason at least one day per week, every week. “We’re operating at an 80 percent staffing level,” Berry said.
And yet, there are days when an 80 percent staffing level is sufficient to cover all of the work, he said. Contract offer comes close to deadline after meeting with employer attorney is canceled
The previous contract made OCU members the highest compensated clerical workers in the nation, employers said. Last year the average earnings were $96,900. On May 1 this year, the hourly wage increased $1. Also, OCU members have average annual benefits totaling $66,000, Berry said.
Employers have offered to increase the OCU pension to $165 per month for each year of service, up from $150. Under the expired contract, an employee who retired with 30 years of service qualified for an annual pension of $54,000.
The Office Clerical Unit of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63 called for a 21 percent increase in wages over the next three years, including the union’s proposal for benefits. The package would represent a total increased cost to employers of 32 percent over three years, according to Stephen Berry, the lead negotiator for employers.
“That is hardly evidence of good-faith negotiating,” he said. Berry said he would respond to the OCU’s proposal by midnight.
OCU President John Fageaux was not immediately available for comment. Given the short window employers had for a response, it appeared unlikely that OCU members would walk off their jobs.
Fageaux earlier said the new contract would be based primarily upon job security for OCU workers. He said employers intend to use information technology to reduce work opportunities for OCU members and to outsource existing work to overseas locations.
Employers say they have not transferred union-represented work overseas and do not plan to do so. All current employees will retain their jobs “despite inconsistent availability of work,” Berry said.
The final night of negotiations before the midnight deadline started off on a bad note. The plan was for both sides to exchange contract proposals at a meeting set for 6 p.m.
However, Berry turned down the union’s request to meet at its office in Long Beach, and OCU negotiators refused Berry’s request to hold negotiations at his office in Costa Mesa in Orange County.
Due to the impasse, no face-to-face negotiations were held on Wednesday.
Berry said the primary demand of employers in the new contract is for flexibility to use workers only when there is sufficient work to be done. Under the current contract, if an employee calls in sick, or is on vacation, the union will dispatch another worker to fill the spot.
The OCU contract provides for 21 to 23 paid holidays, 13 to 15 paid sick days and an average of more than four weeks of vacation each year. Employers say the average worker is off for some reason at least one day per week, every week. “We’re operating at an 80 percent staffing level,” Berry said.
And yet, there are days when an 80 percent staffing level is sufficient to cover all of the work, he said. Contract offer comes close to deadline after meeting with employer attorney is canceled
The previous contract made OCU members the highest compensated clerical workers in the nation, employers said. Last year the average earnings were $96,900. On May 1 this year, the hourly wage increased $1. Also, OCU members have average annual benefits totaling $66,000, Berry said.
Employers have offered to increase the OCU pension to $165 per month for each year of service, up from $150. Under the expired contract, an employee who retired with 30 years of service qualified for an annual pension of $54,000.