This commentary appeared in the print edition of the Jan. 6, 2020, Journal of Commerce Annual Review and Outlook.
With longshore labor peace secured, we at the New York Shipping Association (NYSA) will be focused on continued implementation of the provisions of the NYSA–International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) agreement in the Port of New York and New Jersey, which expires Sept. 30, 2024.
Automation and its impact on labor are hot-button topics, not just in the US but globally as well. The ILA East Coast Master Agreement limits automation implementation to semi-automated facilities. With a belief that labor can outperform automation, the New York and New Jersey agreement provides productivity standards and expected year-over-year incremental improvements, along with corrective actions if not achieved. It’s a collaborative process between labor and management. It’s important that the impact of achieving these goals is fully understood, top-down and bottom-up by, both labor and management. I believe achieving these goals will go a long way toward shaping the future view of automation and labor on the East Coast.
Productivity and competitiveness are the key components to future success in our port, especially as we try to secure a higher share of incremental cargo. The recent change in how we order weekend labor in New York and New Jersey, bringing the hiring window closer to when the activity takes place, will add consistency and will undoubtedly help improve productivity in 2020. We will also focus on items such as absenteeism and bolstering our labor supply by adding additional longshore workers. Both of these factors have a tremendous impact on overall performance.
Our New York and New Jersey Council on Port Performance will continue its efforts to collaboratively address impediments to growth. Lastly, NYSA will keep a close eye on local legislation, especially that which affects trucking capacity, that could have unintended but far reaching negative impacts on port operations.