I usually like to take a stand against "the man" when it comes to unions and lockouts and the such. However, this work stoppage on the west coast docks really irks me. The whole issue stems around technology. Sure there are other issues like pensions and pay and the such, but what major union doesn't always have those so-called problems. I've read that the real problem is that the long-shoreman (which is a stupid name) are being resistant to technology to the point of stopping work. The operators of the major docks are actually trying to improve the way we handle imports and exports, but the workers just won't have it. Word is that this new technology could cut the process expense in half; thus reducing the time it takes for a product to get to market and the cost associated with that transfer. All good things right? Well, the workers don't want to lose their jobs to a computer that can do the job better and more efficiently. Valid argument, Right? No. When technology can do a job better than a worker, that worker needs to step aside for the good of the industry. What if the Pony Express Union had gotten all pissed off about the telegraph? Well, the Unions have started using techniques to slow-down the whole shipping process; which seems to me the same as falling on the ground and kicking and screaming. But that's really what a strike is, isn't it?
Whilst this strike goes on, people are losing jobs, economies are suffering, and farmers will lose their farms because their fall harvest is rotting away in shipping containers because some dudes won't allow technology to IMPROVE their industry. Grow up boys, you're doing much much more harm than good. I liked you before, but I hate you now!