Peace may be breaking out at the Port of Miami-Dade and the Teamsters are claiming victory.
According to reports in Florida media, some lawsuits against leaders of a 2004 wildcat trucker strike have been dropped. The strike paralyzed the port for two weeks in June last year. Miami-Dade truckers, who operate as independent contractors and are paid by the trip, complain of long delays and problems with overweight containers and pollution at the port.
A memorandum from County Manager George M. Burgess said the county’s suit was dropped “in the interest of continued cooperation and as a sign of good faith toward the trucking community.”
Universal Maritime Service, part of the Maersk organization, also dropped its claims. However, the Port of Miami Terminal Operating Co., known as POMTOC, has not dropped its court action. “We want to see the mediation process through and then we'll make a decision,” said Christopher C. Morton, senior manager of POMTOC.
It was the first sign of conciliation since the confrontation between drivers, the county-run port and terminal operators erupted last year.
The Teamsters, who have been coordinating Miami-Dade driver protests, issued a press release claiming victory.
"We have worked hard to let the citizens of Miami know that these drivers were the victims, the whistle blowers, and not the bad guys. The inland transportation leg of ocean shipping is in a state of chaos throughout the United States and must be fixed," said Teamsters Port Division Director Chuck Mack.
"We look forward to working with the County and the industry to develop systemic improvements that will benefit the drivers and all stakeholders," he said.
"I'm pleased, I'm relieved, and I can't wait for the Teamsters to open their new hiring hall," said Eduardo Verdayes, head of the truck drivers' Support Trucking Group. "That's when we get to join the Teamsters and join the American middle class. That's when drivers will see economic justice and motorists in Miami will see safer equipment on the highways."
However, the Port of Miami Terminal Operating Co., known as POMTOC, has not dropped its court action.
According to reports in Florida media, some lawsuits against leaders of a 2004 wildcat trucker strike have been dropped. The strike paralyzed the port for two weeks in June last year. Miami-Dade truckers, who operate as independent contractors and are paid by the trip, complain of long delays and problems with overweight containers and pollution at the port.
A memorandum from County Manager George M. Burgess said the county’s suit was dropped “in the interest of continued cooperation and as a sign of good faith toward the trucking community.”
Universal Maritime Service, part of the Maersk organization, also dropped its claims. However, the Port of Miami Terminal Operating Co., known as POMTOC, has not dropped its court action. “We want to see the mediation process through and then we'll make a decision,” said Christopher C. Morton, senior manager of POMTOC.
It was the first sign of conciliation since the confrontation between drivers, the county-run port and terminal operators erupted last year.
The Teamsters, who have been coordinating Miami-Dade driver protests, issued a press release claiming victory.
"We have worked hard to let the citizens of Miami know that these drivers were the victims, the whistle blowers, and not the bad guys. The inland transportation leg of ocean shipping is in a state of chaos throughout the United States and must be fixed," said Teamsters Port Division Director Chuck Mack.
"We look forward to working with the County and the industry to develop systemic improvements that will benefit the drivers and all stakeholders," he said.
"I'm pleased, I'm relieved, and I can't wait for the Teamsters to open their new hiring hall," said Eduardo Verdayes, head of the truck drivers' Support Trucking Group. "That's when we get to join the Teamsters and join the American middle class. That's when drivers will see economic justice and motorists in Miami will see safer equipment on the highways."
However, the Port of Miami Terminal Operating Co., known as POMTOC, has not dropped its court action.
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