dag144 Posted December 27, 2012 #1 Share Posted December 27, 2012 The longshoremen are scheduled to strike the east and Gulf ports beginning this Sunday, Dec. 29th. According the the Fort Lauderdale local paper, if the strike occurs it will not affect cruise ship traffic. This is difficult to believe, since successful strikes usually entail some disruptions and chaos. I am scheduled to leave on the Grand on Jan 5th. I have Princess Platinum insurance which allows me to cancel my cruise for any reason. Anyone cruising from the east or Gulf coast in the near future, should keep up with the situation. The President can call for a cooling off period, but who knows.:confused::eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonbeam Posted December 27, 2012 #2 Share Posted December 27, 2012 As I understand it, the longshoremen and porters who handle cruise ship traffic operate under a different contract, that is not under negotiation. A sympathy job action is possible but not likely this early in the game and it is also not likely that strikers will interfere with their contracted brethren, as cruise ships don't fall under the cargo ship industry group. Other than allowing possibly more time to get to the port to allow for having to get past pickets, I would not be concerned at this point. The longshoremen are scheduled to strike the east and Gulf ports beginning this Sunday, Dec. 29th. According the the Fort Lauderdale local paper, if the strike occurs it will not affect cruise ship traffic. This is difficult to believe, since successful strikes usually entail some disruptions and chaos. I am scheduled to leave on the Grand on Jan 5th. I have Princess Platinum insurance which allows me to cancel my cruise for any reason. Anyone cruising from the east or Gulf coast in the near future, should keep up with the situation. The President can call for a cooling off period, but who knows.:confused::eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonbeam Posted December 28, 2012 #3 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Need to clarify. It is the same union. however the port operations contract in question does not cover cruise ships, which are handled under a different sub-agreement. So disruptions are possibly, but not likely and will probably result in delays rather than cancellations should they occur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dag144 Posted December 28, 2012 Author #4 Share Posted December 28, 2012 The article on this website suggests the possibility of a lockout by the port operators. Should this occur in even one of the ports involved in the dispute, there will be big problems in all of the ports. Should this happen I doubt that there will be many cruise sailings. Glad I have Princess Platinum cruise protection! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted December 28, 2012 #5 Share Posted December 28, 2012 As I understand it, the longshoremen and porters who handle cruise ship traffic operate under a different contract, that is not under negotiation. A sympathy job action is possible but not likely this early in the game and it is also not likely that strikers will interfere with their contracted brethren, as cruise ships don't fall under the cargo ship industry group. Other than allowing possibly more time to get to the port to allow for having to get past pickets, I would not be concerned at this point. There was a similar strike in Long Beach recently. It affected container ships, not cruise ships. I would expect similar effect with this strike. Besides, some of the ports, such as Boston, won't have cruise ships calling for months. It might affect the loading of supplies and luggage which is done by longshoremen but I really think it will affect commercial vessels rather than passenger vessels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted December 28, 2012 #6 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Per this news article, should be no problem for cruise ships. http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2012/12/27/dockworker-strike/1794525/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dag144 Posted December 28, 2012 Author #7 Share Posted December 28, 2012 The strike has been called off for thirty days!:):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted December 28, 2012 #8 Share Posted December 28, 2012 The strike has been called off for thirty days!:):)That's good news for the shipping companies. Doesn't affect cruise ships whether it's now or in 30 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jg21 Posted December 28, 2012 #9 Share Posted December 28, 2012 I just read that the average pay for a union longshoreman is $124,000.00 a year. Wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted December 28, 2012 #10 Share Posted December 28, 2012 I just read that the average pay for a union longshoreman is $124,000.00 a year. Wow. Not that different for the union porters who handle your luggage at the pier and want your additional tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sackman Posted December 28, 2012 #11 Share Posted December 28, 2012 The economy being what it is, I have a hard time sympathizing with unions. I'd tend to think they'd be thrilled to be employed. I know I am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.