The Fight for Good Jobs Continues

Local 1588 has long advocated for the Maritime District on MOTBY to be used as a container port. The port would provide thousands of desperately needed high-paying jobs and millions of much needed revenue for the Bayonne. Our Local and the International Longshoremen’s Association continue to pursue this goal through all available means.

However, despite all the benefits of a container port, the BLRA has held strong to its insistence that the property be restricted to Ro-Ro operations. We adamantly oppose these restrictions, but as long as the BLRA insists on them and they withstand legal challenge, we believe there are compelling arguments to select the Port Authority to run these operations over Port America.

More than 300 Longshoremen and unemployed Bayonne residents showed their support for a container port at the BLRA meeting, Thursday September 13. ILA International Executive Vice President and Mechanics Local 1804 President Harold Daggett brought two hundred members who Longshoremen at BLRA Meeting 9-13-07 2007work at various terminals around the harbor to help convince the BLRA commissioners that a Port is good for Bayonne and the region. Mr. Daggett noted two common themes in the media: real estate development is tanking and container terminals are booming.

Dennis Daggett, Recording-Secretary of Local 1804 and Secretary Treasurer, of the ILA Atlantic Coast District, said it would be imprudent to let "narrow real estate interests jeopardize the future and health of our regional and national economy." He said the ACD is prepared to pursue "all legal means necessary to ensure that the best interests of our community, our members, and our national economy are protected by the construction of a container terminal

WE SUPPORT GOOD JOBS IN BAYONNE

Local 1588 members and Bayonne residents have begun circulating a petition calling on the Mayor and City Council to use MOTBY to create good jobs for Bayonne residents. The text of the petition is below and a pdf can be downloaded here (pdf). If you would like to get involved in the campaign and help circulate the petition, call Carl Biers at the Local: (201) 437-3452.

• Longshoremen seek federal review of MOTBY Bayonne Community News, 6/26/2007

• Last ditch effort to keep Bayonne a shipping town Newark Star-Ledger, 6/17/07
• 100 hear container port pitch Jersey Journal 5/10/07
• Another Choice: Container Port Still an Option Bayonne Community News, 4/30/07
  
  

• A Port at MOTBY would generate 1,300 jobs immediately and 5,000 over a five year period. Salaries from these jobs would average $55,000 and have benefits. Bayonne has a lot less of these jobs than it used to. Finding a good job is harder and harder, especially if you don't have a college education.
  
  

• The Port would generate $9.275 million annually in tax revenue for Bayonne in the project’s first full year of operation. One potential port developer says it will take two years to start up and has offered to pay Bayonne $25 million right away.