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Diamond
State Port Corporation Reaches a New Labor Agreement with ILA Local
1964-1 |
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Wilmington,
DE - The Diamond
State Port Corporation (DSPC), the
business entity of the State of Delaware
that manages and operates the Port of Wilmington, Delaware, has reached
a new 3-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with Local 1694-1 of the
International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA).
The members of Local 1694-1 overwhelmingly ratified this new
labor agreement by a four to one margin, securing 240 good-paying jobs
for Port’s longshoremen and warehouse workforce through September
2004. “We
are very pleased with this new contract”, said R. Adam McBride, DSPC
Executive Director. “We worked together with the union’s leaders to
ensure quality and competitive service for our customers while rewarding
our experienced and productive work force for the good job they do, This
cooperation resulted in mutual gains for DSPC and the ILA Local 1694-1
in regards to wages and new work rules”. McBride added. “I would
like to thank Tom LoFaro, Deputy Director for Employee Relations of the
State Personnel Office and Deborah Murray-Sheppard of the Public
Employee Relations Board (PERB) for their skilled assistance and support
in guiding these negotiations to a fair and balanced settlement”. The
new agreement incorporates constructive changes to the work rules that
will improve the port’s productivity, tailor its services to the
competitive requirements of its customers and recognize the job
knowledge and expertise of the workforce.
In addition, the DSPC will continue to fund in-service training
and qualification programs to ensure members of Local 1694-1 are fully
prepared to meet the challenges of working in a high tempo port
logistics operation. DSPC
and Local 1694-1 have enjoyed a strong and productive relationship since
the State of Delaware’s acquisition of the port facilities from the
City of Wilmington in 1996. They have effectively leveraged their
relationship and a teamwork business philosophy to create the Port of
Wilmington’s worldwide reputation as “the Port of Personal
Service”. Working together, management and labor have ensured the
success of the expansion of the port’s infrastructure and the
introduction of technology to improve productivity and to facilitate a
“just-in-time” supply chain advantage for its customers. As a
result, the Port of Wilmington is a leading port of entry in the US for
the handling of fresh fruit, such as bananas and Chilean winter fruit,
frozen meat and juice concentrates. “On behalf of the men and women ILA Local 1694-1, I welcome this new agreement”, said Julius Cephas President of ILA Local 1694-1. “Our dedicated workforce does its best, year round, to accomplish smooth and timely ship operations and distribution of cargo through the Port of Wilmington. Our membership is committed to ensure our Port thrives and prospers”, he added. |
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For
further information, digital photos, free tours of the Port and free
speakers contact: Vered Nohi-Becker, Marketing Services Manager
at the Port of Wilmington |
