workers

West Coast Woes: California’s Port Dominance Slipping as Cargo Shifts East

Credit: Tom Fisk/Pexels

This year, California has had a number of economic setbacks, including the closure of three regional banks and excessive rains that submerged agriculture. The $2.8 trillion freight business in the state is now in danger, as reported by GCaptian.

Shifting supply routes 

The pandemic caused the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports to become overwhelmed, leading to other ports like those in New York-New Jersey and Houston gaining market share. Factors such as labour talks, the...

https://mfame.guru/west-coast-woes-californias-port-dominance-slipping-as-cargo-shifts-east/

Loomis Express workers issue strike warning across Canada

Loomis Express workers plan to strike Wednesday if their union does not reach a contract agreement with the logistics provider’s parent company, TransForce International.

Unifor, the union representing about 1,500 Loomis Express workers, said the strike will start at noon at company facilities across eight Canadian provinces unless a new contract that strengthens language for the scope of work is agreed upon.

“This is yet another example of a huge corporation squeezing employees by shuffling work...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/loomis-express-workers-issue-strike-warning

Volkswagen workers in Mexico empower union to call strike

Autoworkers at Volkswagen’s (OTCMKTS: VWAGY) plant in Puebla, Mexico, recently voted to go on strike if wage negotiations can’t be settled by Aug. 18.

More than 3,100 members of the Independent Union of Workers of the Volkswagen Automotive Industry (SITIAVW) approved union representatives to negotiate a salary increase and that the review be carried under the terms of the workers’ collective bargaining agreement.

Volkswagen’s plant in the central Mexican city makes the Taos, Tiguan, Jetta and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/volkswagen-workers-in-mexico-approve-strike-amid-pay-review

Manitou Group closing plant in Texas

Manitou Group (EPA: MTU) announced Wednesday it will close its manufacturing and distribution facility in Waco, Texas, and consolidate most of its U.S. production in South Dakota.

The shutdown will eliminate 148 jobs at the Waco facility, which assembled masted forklift trucks and articulated loaders.

The closure is aimed at “strengthening the Manitou Group position in the U.S.,” according to a release.

Manitou assembled forklifts and loaders at its facility in Waco, Texas. (Photo: Manitou)

“Our...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/manitou-group-closing-plant-in-texas

Gulf Island to expand shipyard workforce

Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Gulf Island Fabrication Inc. president and CEO Richard W. Heo announced the company will expand its shipyard division workforce near Houma, La.

The company will create 106 new direct jobs at an average annual salary of $48,000, plus benefits, to accommodate orders for marine vessel construction. Those orders include ferries, university research vessels funded by the National Science Foundation, and towing, salvage and rescue ships for the U.S. Navy.

Louisiana...

https://www.workboat.com/news/shipbuilding/gulf-island-to-expand-shipyard-workforce-near-houma/

Protect Workers from COVID-19 Risks! ITF Urges Danish Shipping Giant!

  • ITF has called on Maersk to show responsibility for all its workers in its extended supply chain at sea and ashore.
  • Maersk asked to make sure they have in place Personal Protective Equipment to protect against the transmission risks of COVID-19. 
  • Full pay to be provided in the unfortunate instances that a worker is infected or is into self-isolation as a precaution.
  • To ensure the export and import of vital goods and medicines, crew changes must be carried out under proper infection control...

http://mfame.guru/protect-workers-from-covid-19-risks-itf-urges-danish-shipping-giant/

Recruiting, retaining workers remains difficult, IWBS speakers say

Attracting people into the shipbuilding industry remains a major concern for many yards. Ken Hocke photo

The ever-perplexing problem of filling shipyards with dependable workers was on the minds of several speakers during the International WorkBoat Show’s Shipyard Program last week in New Orleans.

Some shipyards have trouble attracting young people and keeping them in the industry. Shipyards are usually not seen as a “cool” place to work. It’s frustrating when you do recruit a worker, spend the money to train him or her, then have that person move on to another yard or another industry.

Todd Thayse,...

https://www.workboat.com/news/shipbuilding/recruiting-retaining-workers-remains-difficult/

Join Our Newsletter
Enter your email to receive a weekly round-up of shipping news.
icon
By subscribing, you agree with our privacy policy and our terms of service.