This website has been archived from TrainWeb.org/eastpenn to TrainWeb.US/eastpenn.
MARCH 26, 1998 |
|
EASTERN RAILROAD NEWS
|
BOSTON -- Massachusetts Port Authority officials are quietly warning shippers and carriers that they may have to bypass the Port of Boston starting Monday because of a possible strike by the International Longshoremen's Association. The action follows the rejection of a final contract offer by three ILA locals over the weekend. Members voted 70-30 against the five-year pact despite a tentative agreement by union leaders last month. A fourth local of ILA clerks had previously turned down the contract and reportedly lobbied against the deal.
Massport officials said a showdown may be in the works over their plan to change job assignments and cut positions by 30% through attrition over the next four years.
Although there are no plans for a lockout at Massport terminals, officials say they will put the new work rules in force Monday. Dockworkers who do not comply will not be paid, said a Massport official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "There's a strong sentiment on both sides to avoid a strike. However, we are implementing our last best offer on Monday," said Jeremy Crockford, a Massport spokesman.
The conflict is over a cost-cutting plan to consolidate container operations at Moran Terminal in Charlestown and Conley Terminal in South Boston into a single box facility at Conley. Moran would be used exclusively for imported cars.
Unless a confrontation is averted, ILA workers may show up at both terminals, reporting for their old jobs. It is unclear whether the result would be a strike or a standoff.
It is also uncertain whether any ships or barges will call at the port until the issue is settled. ILA representatives have not returned calls. Clerks Local 1066 has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board alleging unfair labor practices, said the Boston Globe. At a meeting of Massport, the ILA and the Boston Shipping Association on Monday, three locals agreed to handle an incoming containership of Mediterranean Shipping Co. which is due in Friday from Northern Europe, one participant said.
What happens after that is anyone's guess. Ships of the Vessel-Sharing Agreement of Atlantic carriers have bypassed the port for the past two weeks.
Sources say that union leaders believe members are reluctant to strike. But the overwhelming vote against the pact may leave little choice.
Massport also has raised the stakes by threatening to end subsidies to the port and close down container operations entirely if it cannot implement its plan. Three of seven Massport board members are said to favor a shutdown if the plan fails. A prolonged strike would worsen a continuing situation where Boston shippers are increasingly relying on New York with a combination of rail and truck service to make connections for their cargoes. -BY MICHAEL S. LELYVELD, JOURNAL OF COMMERCE STAFF
WASHINGTON, March 25 / -- Retired Conrail Chairman James A. Hagen was named the interim president of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), David Goode, chairman of the AAR Board of Directors, announced.
"Jim Hagen is an experienced
railroader with demonstrated leadership ability," Mr. Goode said.
"His appointment ensures that the AAR will remain an effective voice for
the railroad industry while the Board of
Directors conducts its
search for a permanent chief executive officer."
Mr. Hagen brings 40 years
experience in the railroad industry to the AAR, including service with
Missouri Pacific Railroad, Southern Railway and CSX Transportation, in
addition to Conrail where he was Chief
Executive Officer between
1989 and 1995. He retired as Chairman of the Conrail Board in 1996.
He served on the AAR Board of Directors for six years and was AAR chairman
between October 1991 and December 1992. He also served as associate
administrator of economics for the Federal Railroad Administration from
1971 to 1974 and first as vice president-operations/planning and later
as president of the United States Railway Association, the government agency
that oversaw the restructuring of five bankrupt eastern U.S. railroads
into Conrail.
Currently he serves on the Board of Directors of Penn Mutual Insurance Co.A native of Forest City, Iowa, Mr. Hagen holds a B.A. from St. Ambrose University and an M.A. from the State University of Iowa. He is married and has two children. - American Association of Railroads
CSX Intermodal will offer ramp-to-ramp service from its southeastern terminals to Boston and Worcester, beginning April 3, 1998. CSXI will use its in-house trucking operation to extend its network into New England, improving intermodal service in the I-85 and I-95 corridors now dominated by over-the-road trucking.
CSXI will offer service between Boston and Worcester, and the following southeastern locations: Atlanta, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Mobile, New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville. CSXI will continue to offer direct pickup and delivery (via the Philadelphia or Kearny ramps) throughout New England in addition to the new ramp-to-ramp service.
Ramp-to-ramp schedules follow:
From Boston and Worcester | To Boston and Worcester | ||||
Gate Cutoff | Available | Gate Cutoff | Available* | ||
Atlanta | 12:00-0 | 16:00-3 | 23:00-0 | 06:00-4 | |
Jacksonville | 12:00-0 | 13:00-2 | 09:00-0 | 06:00-3 | |
Memphis | 10:00-0 | 08:00-5 | 19:00-0 | 06:00-5 | |
Miami | 12:00-0 | 07:00-3 | 21:00-0 | 06:00-4 | |
Mobile | 12:00-0 | 09:00-4 | 13:00-0 | 06:00-5 | |
Nashville | 10:00-0 | 08:00-3 | 18:00-0 | 06:00-5 | |
New Orleans | 12:00-0 | 10:00-4 | 17:00-0 | 06:00-5 | |
Orlando | 12:00-0 | 03:00-3 | 22:00-0 | 06:00-4 | |
Tampa | 12:00-0 | 03:00-3 | 17:00-0 | 06:00-4 |
Worcester service is offered at Intransit Container, 53 Wiser Avenue. This facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Boston service is offered at Romar Terminals, 90 Western Avenue in Allston. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. -CSX Intermodal
Please check this location daily, as new information will be posted, as it becomes available. If you have news to report or information regarding railroads in the Eastern United States, please send e-mail to Kevin Burkholder at KBurkholder@psghs.edu |