Cargo Operations: Oakland
An Added 400 Dockworkers to Handle Port of Oakland Cargo
The first of 400 new dockworkers arrived last week to meet the Port of Oakland’s need for more labor. Additional hires will be phased into the workforce through September, the port said, to handle a buildup of ships and cargo. The port says its goal is to accelerate cargo operations and clear the backlog of vessels anchored in San Francisco Bay.
"We’re not operating with the speed and efficiency our customers deserve right now," said Maritime Director John Driscoll. "Additional longshore labor is an important first step in getting back on track."
Waterfront employers and the longshore union agreed last month to beef up Oakland’s labor pool. Besides adding new workers, they agreed to train and promote 100 current workers. That will expand the work force available to fill positions requiring greater skill and experience.
The port’s says the reasons why extra help is necessary are:
- Containerized cargo volume has increased from prior year totals for three straight months.
- Vessel arrivals have also grown, too, with the port often berthing 10 ships a day.
- Some ships anchor two days waiting for short-staffed terminals to clear vessels from berths.
More auto carrier vessels and cruise ships are calling at Bay Area ports, further straining the longshore labor pool.
The port blames the labor shortage for lengthening the time ships spend loading and unloading by as much as a day and delaying cargo delivery to final destinations.
The port is expecting cargo and vessel delays will ease by the end of July. It is in discussions with waterfront labor and management on measures to accelerate cargo operations.
The Port of Oakland itself does not hire longshore labor. Longshoremen are employed by marine terminal operators who lease their facilities from the port.