The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) had not reached an agreement as of press time on a six-year contract agreement, but both sides pledged to keep cargo moving on the West Coast waterfront.
The James R. Herman Cruise Ship Terminal on Pier 27 was completed in February 2013. Photo courtesy of the Port of SF
By Patrick Burnson
Published: August, 2014
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) had not reached an agreement as of press time on a six-year contract agreement, but both sides pledged to keep cargo moving on the West Coast waterfront. The previous labor contract covering nearly 20,000 longshore workers at 29 West Coast ports expired July 1. The coast-wide labor contract is between employers who operate port terminals and shipping lines (represented by the PMA) and dockworkers (represented by the ILWU). The parties have negotiated a West Coast collective bargaining agreement since the 1930s.
Tribute Sculpture Coming to Pier 27
In July, the Port of San Francisco was presented with a gift agreement for the tribute sculpture to James R. Herman that will be placed at the Pier 27 cruise ship terminal that bears his name. Herman was a former ILWU International president and San Francisco port commissioner. The gift proposal, valued at $250,000, must now be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
The sculpture will be a wall-mounted, interactive audio-visual installation measuring 10 feet high by 15 feet long, and it will resemble the waves of the Bay. Housed within it will be a touch screen allowing visitors to scroll through biographical information about Herman, and the installation will also include a directional sound system allowing visitors to hear highlights from Herman’s speeches.
The installation is expected to be completed by the end of October. Sean Farley, ILWU Local 34 president and chair of the James R. Herman Memorial Committee, said that the purpose of the sculpture is to commemorate Herman’s contribution to the labor movement and to the San Francisco waterfront.
“We wanted to reflect what Jimmy was about—his history, his legacy, his commitment to social justice movements and his contributions as a port commissioner—all the facets of who he was in his life,” said Farley. “We also had to take into account what Pier 27 is—a world-class cruise terminal facility. We wanted a tribute that is commensurate with that facility and we think we’ve done that.”
ILWU International Secretary Treasurer Willie Adams said Herman was “a true working class hero.” Adams also serves as a port commissioner and is vice president of the San Francisco Port Commission. “The cruise ship terminal and this sculpture will be a great tribute to his legacy,” he added.
ILWU members, along with other members of the local community including Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos, formed the James R. Herman Memorial Committee to raise money for the creation of the sculpture and its maintenance for the next 20 years.
Redwood City Port Commission Approves Budget
The Redwood City Port Commission has approved its fiscal year 2014-2015 budget, projecting operating revenues at $6,627,720 and operating expenses at $4,281,890. Operating income of $2.3 million is offset by $660,000 in net non-operating expenses, primarily due to the interest expense on the port’s 1999 and 2012 revenue bonds. Subvention of $398,000 to the City of Redwood City is included in the budget, resulting in a projected net income after subvention of $1.3 million.
The FY15 Budget includes $2.9 million for capital projects. The major projects are “F” dock marina dredging (at an estimated cost of $600,000) and public access improvements between the Seaport Conference Center and the fishing pier (at an estimated cost of $500,000). There will be another installment of $800,000 for the port’s cost share of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers channel deepening and improvement study.
Port Executive Director Michael J. Giari said that the FY15 budget is based on an estimated 1,713,000 metric tons of cargo, an increase over the FY13 actual tonnage and FY14 tonnage forecast. The tonnage primarily consists of construction sand and aggregates imported from Canada and recycled scrap metal exported to Asia.
Increased construction and building activity in the region has increased demand for construction materials and is the primary reason for the increase in tonnage for next year and the past two years. Tonnage for scrap metal is expected to remain stable next year at 240,000 metric tons. Demand for imported cement has not yet reached a level that exceeds domestic sources of supply. However, ground slag, a cement additive, is expected to be shipped into the port in relatively small volume at 32,000 metric tons.
A general rate increase of two percent will be applied next year to all rates and charges, other than those set by contract. There will also be a new administrative fee of 10 percent added to the cost of providing security guard service while vessels are in the port.
Patrick Burnson is the past president and current board member of the Pacific Transportation Association, based in San Francisco. www.pacifictrans.org
