Jun.12--NORTH AMERICA's two big docker unions - the west coast International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the east coast International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) - are considering an alliance to fend off other unions and union-free shops.
    In the latest development, the US Marines intend to have workers represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers and the Seafarers International Union unload ammunition at the Port of Charleston, traditionally ILA turf.
    Last year, the west coast ILWU protested the International Union of Operating Engineers securing jurisdiction at the new EGT grain terminal in Longview, Washington, traditionally ILWU territory.
    The east coast ILA had similar problems last year when Fresh Del Monte shifted its Philadelphia operations to non-union workers.
    "We would form a maritime alliance to do what the AFL-CIO is afraid to do," said ILA president Harold Daggett, in an address to the 35th conference of the ILWU in Coronado, California.
    Ken Riley, president of ILA local in Charleston, South Carolina, said the operating engineers and SIU members would actually live on the ammunition ship while it is transporting the ammunition from Jacksonville to Charleston.
    "We have a contract to do this work. This is very concerning to us," he said. "The ILA is working with its military consultants in Washington in an attempt to head off the loss of its traditional work," said Mr Riley.

(Source:shippingazette)