LONGSHOREMEN AND THE MODERNISATION OF CARGO HANDLING IN THE UNITED STATES

The impact of containerisation and other cargo handling innovations has perhaps nowhere been greater than on the stevedoring industry of the United States. The new techniques depend for their success on more efficient labour utilization, which implies a relaxing of work rules, revised manning requirements, and greater mobility and availability for work. The other side of the coin is the unions' concern that technical progress should not be achieved at the expense of the longshoreman's livelihood. The author traces the efforts of management and labour on both the eastern and western seaboards to reconcile the introduction of the new techniques with job security. Successive agreements on such topics as decasualization, annual income guarantees, entitlement to container work, early retirement and liberalized pension arrangements are described in some detail, and advances in welfare, safety and training are also touched on. The author believes that, for an industry whose past has been marked by uncompromising labour relations, a surprising amount has been achieved.

• Corporate Authors:

  International Labour Office

  Geneva,   Switzerland 
• Authors:
  • Goldberg, J P
• Publication Date: 1973-3

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 253-279
• Serial:
  • International Labour Review
  • Volume: 107
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: International Labour Office

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cargo handling; Cargo handling equipment; Collective bargaining; Labor relations; Longshoremen; Working conditions
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00047677
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: International Labour Office
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 31 1973 12:00AM