West Coast ports remain closed today for the fourth day in a row now. Labor disputes are never completely one-sided, but this one seems more absurd than most. Basically, the port operators would like to use modern technology -- like bar-code scanners -- to make the ports more efficient. The union has decided that any increase in efficiency might mean that not all of them were needed, so has decided not to budge on this issue.
Meanwhile, while the union has decided that theirs should be the only job category in the history of the world not affected by new technology (visited your local blacksmith lately?), the effects from the shutdown, estimated to cost the economy $1 billion per day, are soon going to start rippling across the country. Lots more people are going to be out of work when stores can't get their merchandise and manufacturers can't get their parts because all the goods are sitting out in the water somewhere.
Sheez...
Posted by Mike at October 2, 2002 09:07 AMAs you know, I agree (mostly) with your assessment of this strike. However, I would remind you that a couple hundred bucks of our money goes to a union every year, oh Corporate One.
Solidarity forever. Si se puede. Bread and roses.
Posted by: proud member of the CTA on October 2, 2002 11:41 AMNo, no. We have complete community property, _except_ for your union dues. None of _my_ money goes to the NEA. That's all you, babe. ;)
Posted by: Proud opponent of the NEA on October 2, 2002 09:55 PMyou guys are too cute. A match made in heaven!
Posted by: another corporate drone on October 2, 2002 10:58 PM