Trouble on the Docks

Railroad Weekly June 12, 2023

Photography by Frederick Manfred Simon © www.steelwheels.photography

Inside This Issue  

·   Trouble on the Docks: Long-Feared Labor Strife Hits West Coast Ports

·   Maple Grief: Canada Surprises with an Interest Rate Hike

·   CSX Appeal: Railroad Hopes Better Service Will Mean More Business

·   Shaw’s Frank Redemption: NS Looks to Get Past Recent Woes

·   Johnny Rocket: Big Growth for Canada’s Port Saint John  

·   Looking Back: A History of the Pennsylvania Railroad

Publisher’s Note: Thanks to everyone who purchased my book American Places. Some of you mentioned that Amazon was out of stock of the hardcover, but it should be available now. It’s also available via Barnes & Noble or other book retailers.

Track Talk

“The ILWU’s repeated disruptive work actions at strategic ports along the West Coast are increasingly causing companies to divert cargo to more customer-friendly and reliable locations along the Gulf and East Coasts. It is difficult to win back cargo once it’s diverted.”

-Statement from the Pacific Maritime Association

The Latest

·   It’s been more than a year now since dockworkers at west coast ports (represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union) started contract negotiations with their employers (represented by the Pacific Maritime Association). Several weeks ago, it appeared that a deal was close. Indeed, the union said in April that agreements were reached on “certain key issues.” This month, however, the ongoing absence of a settlement has started to devolve into major operational disruptions. This weekend, the port of Seattle was temporarily shut down, because of what the PMA called “coordinated and disruptive work actions led by the ILWU.” The ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland have experienced disruptive labor protests as well. In a statement, the PMA stated, “The ILWU’s coast-wide work actions since June 2 are