South Bay : LOW TIDE FOR LABOR

Members of the Protect Our Port Coalition packed a recent Harbor Commission meeting in San Pedro to oppose a plan that would cut 269 jobs through privatization. It was the third time in less than a month that the organization rallied in opposition of the port’s plan.

Consultants have advised the port that it could save $10 million a year through downsizing and privatization. But coalition chairman Mark Siegel, whose organization includes five Los Angeles city unions and tenants of the Cabrillo Marina in San Pedro, said the proposal leaves out many of the staff who made the port a success.

“This team of people made the Port of Los Angeles one of the No. 1 ports in the world,” Siegel said after the Wednesday meeting. “Privatization will increase costs to port tenants while the overall service declines.”