PMA Wants to Eliminate Hoot Shift?

Just saw this in this morning's Breeze. So for those of us who aren't either ILWU or work in the port in other capacities, could someone give some clarity on the role of the Hoot Shift, any kind of perspective on a switch to two 10 hour shifts, etc... The only thing I know is that I have friends who do 10 hour shifts and they love them, since they get more days off, but I don't know how applicable that situation is here.

The PMA PR folks say this is about efficiency, not about the overpayment of folks for what's basically a half-shift, but that's a little (or a lot) too convenient for my taste.

Local 63 Ready to Strike - Impasse?

Well, given the feelings and statements in the "Breeze is Sinking" post, and given the completely vague coverage that's been done nearly everywhere about this story, I'm not going to place bets on anything related to the Local 63 Marine Clerks contract negotiations, but the Breeze has an update indicating that the Clerks are ready to strike.

From the article

“Talks are over. … We’ve gone as far as we could go and done everything we could do,” Fageaux said in comments to the radio station. “The next step is we’re going to get together with our group and determine when and where picket signs are going to go up.” - John Fageaux Jr., president of the Local 63 Office Clerical Unit of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union

UPDATE - Apparently they're talking again, according to the LA Times.

FURTHER UPDATE - Both the Times and the Breeze are reporting that an agreement has been reached that will prevent a strike. Local 63 Members will vote on the deal next week. The new contract features a 7% raise over three years and a $3.4 million trust fund for employees health care and pension plans.

What's up with the clerks?

So there was maybe going to be a walkout last night, but there wasn't, and both the Times and the Breeze have somewhat vague articles on the subject. All the sort-of-news that's fit to print, here at Life on the Edge!

Given the national significance of anything that stops work at the Port, it's almost shocking how little public coverage or real knowledge there is about the current negotiations.