No Rain Today!
I changed my ticket to fly directly to Arizona and skip the flight today to Kansas, then driving
Denver, then from Denver to Tucson. So, I have all day today and tomorrow here in Seattle. The Walberg’s get back around midnight tonight, so it will be nice to actually see them here.
It is sunny and clear here. This is really the first time I’ve seen the sun in a week. So I’m going to go explore East of here, over by Cougar Mountain. So, I don’t have much time here.
I’ve noticed this container ship just parked here this past week. I was wondering what the deal is, but then I saw this article at Marketwatch explaining there is a longshoremen’s labor dispute going on right now and the West coast shipping is being affected. I’m wondering if that is why the ship is just hanging here doing nothing? The article says that average salary for these guys is $147000 a year. I’m not sure what they are disputing?
Anyway, the article says everyday they don’t unload containers it costs the US economy $2.1 billion dollars. Man, they do have a lot of leverage it seems.
Anyway, just an interesting answer to a question I’ve had this past week.
Gonna just put some oil on my legs and ride sans knee warmers and leg warmers. Should feel great. Looking forward to riding new terrain.
Comments (18)
peter k
2015-02-08 13:26:22
The average sized container ship can carry an estimated 5000 20’ containers while the largests ones plying the seas can carry up to 11,000 20’ containers.
channel_zero
2015-02-08 13:54:44
No one seems to remember they are quite efficient/productive worker in a very dangerous work environment. No one also seems to remember ocean shipping is a non-competitive market, so, plenty of money sloshing around before we start talking about dock workers wages.
Thomas
2015-02-08 14:30:11
There seems to be lots of finger pointing going on. The union says management has screwed up because trucks are taking more empty trips. Management says the Dock Workers have slowed down unloading. I suspect both are right. The ships are getting bigger and bigger. The USA is importing a record amount of goods. Combined it just takes more time to unload and move the goods. This sort of thing could be good for the us job market in the long run. Most companies can not and or will not warehouse their product. But if shipping time and cost continue to rise we may see a different business approach. I know several bike companies are feeling the squeeze. Schwinn for example didnt have many 20inch bikes before Christmas. On the other hand my friend who sells chemicals is not having any trouble getting enough product to costumers. He has had to ship via rail from Seattle as opposed from LA. It adds to the cost but his customer is not going with out. Point is those who are prepared for this will come out way ahead.
darkcloud
2015-02-08 15:12:38
Pay would be only one part of the equation. Quality of life, insurance, retirement, etc all factor in somewhere. I’d be hesitant to judge the workers without really knowing the details involved. Furthermore, it’s really none of my business. I’ve had acquaintances volunteer that I’m overpaid. Without even knowing what my pay is. Petty envy.
euro
2015-02-08 16:15:06
Wow, ONE sunny day in a week? I’d kill myself.
Mike Rodose
2015-02-08 21:48:11 In reply to Thomas
Schwinn? That’s not a real bike and not a real bike company.
Mike Rodose
2015-02-08 22:10:38 In reply to euro
That’s unfortunately known as the Full-Cobain. Don’t do it, man! Full-Denial, Full-Retard are much better options in Seattle.
Paul in VA
2015-02-08 23:02:38 In reply to Mike Rodose
Sure it is. You just don’t like them.
R
2015-02-09 07:47:41
@ Channel_zero - as someone who works for a international shipping line I can tell you that your are 100% wrong about it not being a non-competitive market. Like many industries there are a couple of big fish, but you have to go ~10 companies deep before you start to get to the ones that have less than a 5% market share. When you consider how capital intensive owning and operating a fleet of container ships is it really is a viciously competitive industry. Ocean carriers are hardly swimming in cash, some would argue there are actually too many participants. My opinions on the current ILWU negotiation are obviously going to be biased so I won’t wade too deeply into that discussion. I’ll just say that a fair and equitable negotiation between 2 parties is impossible to have when one side has all the leverage and can hold an entire country’s economy hostage.
R
2015-02-09 07:56:17 In reply to R
And Steve you are correct, that vessel is undoubtedly sitting at anchor due to the current labor situation. It is loaded with full containers from overseas and is waiting for its turn to unload. In a perfect world these ships never stop moving from the day they come out of the shipyard to the day they are scrapped, any time they spend sitting still they are losing the owner/operator massive amounts of money.
Thomas
2015-02-09 08:30:27 In reply to Thomas
Cycling sports group. Look them up and educate yourself.
Asocratic
2015-02-09 08:40:48
I think the dock workers need to be carful. There is serious competition from automation. I would bet there are fewer workers and lower pay in 15yr. http://www.joc.com/port-news/international-ports/dockworker-union-protests-automation-rotterdam-port-terminal_20150120.html
Mike Rodose
2015-02-09 08:59:21 In reply to Thomas
Go to Wal-Mart and get that sweet Schwinn! I’m well aware of Cannondale (a real bike) and Schwinn (not a real bike). Big box-stores.
Voice of Reason
2015-02-09 09:51:24
This observation coming from a guy without a job. Classic You can’t bag on the worker until you are or have been one
Asocratic
2015-02-09 10:40:30 In reply to Voice of Reason
@ Voice of Reason: I am unclear how I was bagging on the worker? I was making a prediction about the occupation. I don’t know the people the work they do…. What I do know (and not well) is that this seems to be a occupation ripe for automation. Which led me to make a prediction about its future, not a judgment about the workers.
Wildcat
2015-02-09 13:55:39 In reply to Asocratic
I think he meant Steve.
Asocratic
2015-02-09 14:33:28 In reply to Asocratic
@ Voice of Reason : Upon reflection and @wildcat’s comment, I assume you where referring to Steve and not my comment.
Mike
2015-02-10 11:35:31
The dissolution, distrust, and disbelief in labor unions and labor rights is a giant reason for the growing wealth gap. relative shrinking income of the middle class, and lack of skilled and willing people interested in blue collar jobs.