If you read through this thread you would understand why I put that.
Someone thought a lot of us were mad at the dock workers because they make more money than us. I responded by saying that is not the case with me.
Work slowdown at Port of Long Beach means "no collectibles for you!"
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If you read through this thread you would understand why I put that.
Someone thought a lot of us were mad at the dock workers because they make more money than us. I responded by saying that is not the case with me.
Collectorcol
Super Freak
My ***** bigger than yours! 
Difficult not to think that, with the regularity the figure was being mentioned in a pejorative manner.. if they earn less than you, who cares what the hourly rate is and why don't the management just pay it?.. after all it takes two negotiating teams to hold up all those essential toys.. errr.. medical supplies.. I meant medical supplies.
Re: Work slowdown at Port of Long Beach means "no collectibles for you!
I'm assuming that he didn't begin his career making the amount he does now. Personally, I have an understanding of adequate wages because I started at the bottom and worked my way up. I also pay my own bills and understand how much things cost. We also know that the amount they're making is far above minimum wage. I can confidently say that the amount they're making is adequate for a comfortable lifestyle. It's not like anyone in any position would turn down the offer for more money. People generally fit their lifestyle to their wages.
As other people have said though, this isn't just about wages. The contract negotiations also cover hiring/firing policies, labor practices, supply chain, etc.
I'm assuming that he didn't begin his career making the amount he does now. Personally, I have an understanding of adequate wages because I started at the bottom and worked my way up. I also pay my own bills and understand how much things cost. We also know that the amount they're making is far above minimum wage. I can confidently say that the amount they're making is adequate for a comfortable lifestyle. It's not like anyone in any position would turn down the offer for more money. People generally fit their lifestyle to their wages.
As other people have said though, this isn't just about wages. The contract negotiations also cover hiring/firing policies, labor practices, supply chain, etc.
Re: Work slowdown at Port of Long Beach means "no collectibles for you!
I think most people would aspire to something more than the minimum wage.. after that it tends to get very, very subjective.
I think most people would aspire to something more than the minimum wage.. after that it tends to get very, very subjective.
Here's an interesting update on the negotiations. According to this article, the PMA is to blame and not the union laborers:
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA (January 12, 2015)– In contract negotiations Monday afternoon, officials from the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) told a federal mediator and longshore negotiators that West Coast ports have reached a point where there is little space available for additional import containers arriving on the docks – and no space for export and empty containers returning to the docks.
The PMA made it clear in the negotiating session that they were not blaming union workers for the primary causes of the congestion crisis, explaining that the lack of space for returning empty and export containers was exacerbating the existing chassis shortage – because the export-bound containers are a key source of desperately needed chassis that have become the #1 choke-point, ever since shipping lines recently stopped providing a chassis for each container arriving to West Coast ports.
After explaining how the lack of dock space for containers and shortages of chassis were crippling the ports, the PMA announced an illogical plan to eliminate night-shifts at many ports. In addition to cutting shifts at major container ports, the PMA cutbacks would also apply to bulk and break-bulk operations – for no apparent reason other than as a cynical tactic to generate anxiety among workers.
The union has noted that cancelling night shifts and reducing bulk operations will do nothing to ease the congestion crisis. The PMA appears to be abusing public ports and putting the economy at risk in a self-serving attempt to gain the upper hand at the bargaining table, and create the appearance of a crisis in order to score points with politicians in Washington.
“Longshore workers are ready, willing and able to clear the backlog created by the industry’s poor decisions,” said ILWU President Bob McEllrath. “The employer is making nonsensical moves like cutting back on shifts at a critical time, creating gridlock in a cynical attempt to turn public opinion against workers. This creates an incendiary atmosphere during negotiations and does nothing to get us closer to an agreement.”
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA (January 12, 2015)– In contract negotiations Monday afternoon, officials from the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) told a federal mediator and longshore negotiators that West Coast ports have reached a point where there is little space available for additional import containers arriving on the docks – and no space for export and empty containers returning to the docks.
The PMA made it clear in the negotiating session that they were not blaming union workers for the primary causes of the congestion crisis, explaining that the lack of space for returning empty and export containers was exacerbating the existing chassis shortage – because the export-bound containers are a key source of desperately needed chassis that have become the #1 choke-point, ever since shipping lines recently stopped providing a chassis for each container arriving to West Coast ports.
After explaining how the lack of dock space for containers and shortages of chassis were crippling the ports, the PMA announced an illogical plan to eliminate night-shifts at many ports. In addition to cutting shifts at major container ports, the PMA cutbacks would also apply to bulk and break-bulk operations – for no apparent reason other than as a cynical tactic to generate anxiety among workers.
The union has noted that cancelling night shifts and reducing bulk operations will do nothing to ease the congestion crisis. The PMA appears to be abusing public ports and putting the economy at risk in a self-serving attempt to gain the upper hand at the bargaining table, and create the appearance of a crisis in order to score points with politicians in Washington.
“Longshore workers are ready, willing and able to clear the backlog created by the industry’s poor decisions,” said ILWU President Bob McEllrath. “The employer is making nonsensical moves like cutting back on shifts at a critical time, creating gridlock in a cynical attempt to turn public opinion against workers. This creates an incendiary atmosphere during negotiations and does nothing to get us closer to an agreement.”
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That'll just make the situation uglier than it already is
It is not about wages though.....
Hiring, firing, guaranteed contracts, afraid there jobs will be taken elsewhere/replaced....
Even if it was about wages.... lets say they work 8 hours a day for five days a week for 45 weeks. Just a very rough estimate of time worked would figure out to be 81000 before taxes. A very very good amount where a person could live comfortably. They, with no college degree, make more than some teachers....
Edit: Read part of that article last night. As in 2002, a 10 day work stoppage could be a possibility...
How is the fact teachers are underpaid, a good reason for reducing other peoples wages to fit?.. teachers have long holidays and don't work outside with heavy machinery, which is equally irrelevant to their vital importance to society.
Imho, the whole 'college degree means higher salary' correlation is frankly of questionable economic value, in many non-specialist industries.. I would pay more for street smarts, experience and a client list, than pretty much any recent college graduate.
If the article Chronos1919 quoted is correct, the principle problem at the Port appears to be that: '..shipping lines recently stopped providing a chassis for each container arriving to West Coast ports.'
..yet Pacific Maritime Association appear to have done nothing to alleviate the congestion this has caused at the Port, by buying / leasing chassis supplies of their own.. instead it appears they are looking for productivity increases from the dockers to alleviate the problem, while not offering any further overtime (in fact PMA in the face of increased congestion are apparently proposing to cut hours).. except that does not magically create more real estate at the Port, for physically manoeuvring containers.
It therefore appears to be a case of management expecting employees to effectively remove the requirement for new infrastructure overheads..for free.. (instead of investing in the Port by buying/leasing the required chassis infrastructure) while presenting it as a 'Unions deny puppies, kittens and children desperately needed medication' story.
If the article is correct, that about sums it up.
Good lord...this just keeps getting worse. At this rate, we'll get all our XM POs before any of our SSC POs...
YankeesFanboy
Super Freak
Think of it as a blessing in disguise. We don't really NEED these figures, statues and other high-end collectibles. They're just objects, they're just stuff. Better to focus on family and friends I say....
YankeesFanboy
Super Freak
That actually makes me want my figures a lot more now.
I want my Stealth Cap and Gemini now, dammit!
Collectorcol
Super Freak
Looking at your post count I'm guessing you spend very little time with family & friends.
Ummmm, I am probably either to lazy to research or am missing something but these workers get paid by the hour, right? How would it be free work if they are paid by the hour? They would still get paid to do this, right?
YankeesFanboy
Super Freak
Yea, you couldn't possibly post from a device in the company of family or friends.
Collectorcol
Super Freak
Jeez! Lighten up. My phone is permanently attached to my hand.
That is a healthy post count though
That is a healthy post count though
YankeesFanboy
Super Freak
Yea, you couldn't possibly post from a device in the company of family or friends.
Especially when they're talking and trying to get your attention, when I'm desperately trying to focus on the really important things in life...high-end dollies.
Jeez! Lighten up. My phone is permanently attached to my hand.
That is a healthy post count though
Some people spend all day shooting junk into their veins or drinking like a fish. I hang out around here. This is healthier. Marginally.
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