It seems the only way to get Ceres to be fair is to take the issues directly to the cruise passengers. By doing this, the Local forced Ceres to make improvements demanded by the workforce since the 2006 seniority agreement, including:

• Additional workers to load X-Ray machines - work that previously had been done by security guards in violation of the Contract

• A text/email procedure for members to take themselves out of the system.
• A heated container as a break space by the ship.
• Additional Foreman to deal with superintendents doing union work.
• Additional Assistant Foreman, along with a four hour/per week increase in their break down time to deal with superintendents doing union work.

But morale at Ceres remains low despite these gains. Favoritism in job assignments, nickel-and-diming, and disrespectful treatment continue. This, combined with a reduction in sailings to one per week, have made Ceres the list with the highest turnover in the port. Many members leave at the first opportunity for openings at Global, Brooklyn Staten Island, or Ports America. There are now less than 30 members of Local 1588 on the Ceres list, down from a high of 90 in 2007.

Local 1588 and Mechanics Local 1804-1, which also had problems with Ceres, led the informational leafleting of Royal Caribbean passengers. 1588 did the leafleting because Ceres has a history of violating the spirit and letter of their agreements. For example, after signing off on the seniority agreement they sometimes assign less senior list members to the most favorable receiving positions, and skip senior workers when adding additional up-front workers for the afternoon and for early receiving.

Members of Local 1804-1 and Local 1588 leaftlet Ceres Atlantic

In addition, after agreeing to add an additional Assistant Foreman, Ceres unilaterally eliminated a $1.50 pay differential that all Assistant Foremen had received for several years, without mentioning it at the bargaining table. Also, after agreeing to an additional Foreman position, Ceres refused to pay the foreman the same rate as the other two. The Local has filed a grievances and a decision is pending. If Ceres will not comply with it's agreements, if it is unfair and disrespectful of Longshoremen, it can expect that the passengers and public will know about it.