Their base rate was $20. It did increase to $39 if they had been there more than 6 years, but these pay rates were notably lower than those on the west coast. Many workers bringing in these high incomes were also working double shifts everyday… This combined with the starting salary being just above minimum wage in some states and large foreign companies reaping the financial benefit of price hikes since 2020, I am not at all surprised that they went on strike.
TheTeaIsReady
Or, they see that companies that require their services have been making record profits while also increasing the cost of the goods that come in through the docks?
Shadowsedge_the_Black_Dragon
Problem is East Coast cities living expenses have gone up too. Especially NYC. People would be more than happy to live off 50k a year if bread was 99cents and gasoline was 1.59 a gallon.
loudmouf
Maybe they know they're not going to get fair wage increases in the future so they're trying to get it now 🤷🏼♂️ like a form of future proofing.
blaketucker
Honestly I understand where they're coming from. My job is unionized and we deal with metal scrap. Our contract happened right before the pandemic and while we struggled to pay bills amid rising costs, the company I worked for saw 10's of billions of dollars in profits. Needless to say when it came time for our new contract a 2 years back and they only offered us 20% over 5 years we told them to kick rocks. We fought for a better contract and we got it. These dock workers are not only trying to secure a better wage (the dock companies can afford it with billions in reserve), but they're fighting to secure their future against automation. The companies f'ed up when they showed their hand when it came to automation, so the strike is almost certainly expected. Heck, I'd strike if they told me they were going to automate my job
exileddude
Why the hate? They work a hard, dangerous job. There's nothing hard or dangerous about interviewing and insulting people as they are put down about their financials. But these videos pass time. Not really adding anything to society, unlike dock workers that unload every ship so that people can shop at their local Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot, etc. They unload everything that isn't made in America. They help this country's economy at the very root.
aaronfaulkner
I wish I made $39 an hour, or anywhere even near it.
jtcr
Instead of complaining about them being paid more, people should realize how strong unions are and thats why there's so much propaganda to gut collective bargaining rights
HiImV
Yeah but compare that to the cost of living in NY and NJ. Blue collar workers deserve every dollar they make
ColossusCo
My questions: who is getting overtime? Also overtime is the exception not the expectation. What is the cost of living in these areas?
BRUTE
Dock workers will be replaced by robots quick as shit
patrickeisert
Denying a 50% increase at $39 an hour is wild 💀 that's like $59 an hour 💀💀
nathansuss
The union boss is making threats like a bond villain. "I WILL CRIPPLE YOUR ECONOMY "
davidcannoles
They may have a valid complaint but I hope they are taking into consideration of how much it would cost to automate their jobs. Like what happened to the fast food industry when they raised minimum wage in certain cities.
At some point it becomes cheaper to invest in new technology to limit the need for human staff
ozbelltemp
now compare what is done in the USA ports compared to ports around the world. most ports are operating 24/7. increasing the workhours would create a lot more jobs.
gullepomp
What’s wrong with this increase? He clearly guiding us in one direction with the selective information given. We should all be fighting for such raise, instead of fighting ourself due to jealousy. We all deserve better pay, and they are willing to fight for it, now they have achieved it.
noobyest
They’re just digging their own graves. How much will it cost to get this process automated? If it costs less than it would cost to keep the workers then what’s the obvious decision to be made?
The more the workers get paid, the shorter the timeline for the transition.
jameshoward
Better save as much money as possible so you can pay your bills when you get replaced with automation
NotAGovernmentAgent
How much money do the companies they work for make?
raouleduke
Considering how much billionaires make 77% is chump change for them. Not to mention the work never stops unloading and loading is a day and night job.
