Union Flexes Its Muscle as Talks Stall at Harbor

Their tiny work force consists of only 18 people. But should these wharf and clerical workers at the Port of Hueneme decide to walk off their jobs over a salary dispute, they would have some powerful allies standing with them: the longshoremen’s union and the Teamsters.

Such a strike would effectively shut down the only deep-water port between Los Angeles and San Francisco, dealing a major blow to the local economy.

“It’s $1 million a day if that port closes down,” said Ellyn Dembowski, deputy director of Service Employees International Union, Local 998, and chief negotiator for the port employees.

But officials for the Oxnard Harbor District, which operates the port, said an independent mediator would be called in if necessary to avoid any work disruptions. Angered by the local’s publicity tactics, district officials declared an impasse in the negotiations late Monday and no new talks have been scheduled.

William J. Buenger, port executive director, questioned the union’s commitment toward meaningful bargaining after representatives arrived at Monday’s session with a news release announcing that its members had voted to authorize a strike.

“It bothers me that they do that at the beginning of a meeting where we’re making progress,” he said. “I think it’s bad-faith bargaining on their part.”

Buenger said tentative agreements have been reached on several changes to the existing contract, which expired June 30. To date, the port and the union representing its wharfingers, maintenance crew and clerical staff have given preliminary approval to a lower-cost health plan for current employees, and to adding Cesar Chavez’s birthday as an 11th paid holiday.

Workers also would be allowed to accumulate more sick leave, which they can cash out when they retire or leave the port.

Buenger said the union pushed for additional benefits but proved unwilling to offer sufficient concessions.

“From our standpoint, it really made no sense to put any additional items on the table when they weren’t putting anything on from their side,” he said.

But Dembowski said the 65-year-old port continues to grow and increase profits, so it has ample money for extra wages and benefits. “We’re not talking about a poor employer,” she said.

Among the outstanding issues are disputes about wage increases, pensions and health benefits for future retirees. Dembowski said the two sides are close on wages--the union seeks a 17% pay increase over three years; the district has offered 13%.

The union opposes the district’s suggested changes to the pension plan and its proposal to eliminate a provision requiring it to pay full health, dental and vision benefits to any future retiree over 50 years old with as little as five years of service.

Wages for the local’s unionized workers range from $13 an hour for a beginning clerical worker to $23.40 an hour for an experienced wharfinger, who helps steer cargo ships to one of the port’s five berths.

Dembowski said she intends to lead a group of SEIU and International Longshore and Warehouse Union members to next Monday’s district board meeting to ask harbor commissioners to direct Buenger to settle the contract. There are nearly 100 longshoremen working at the port.

Buenger said he supports a return to give-and-take negotiations.

“I feel there’s been a lot of progress made,” he said. “And the issues that remain--whether they are considered great or insignificant--are still issues I think can be dealt with.”