West Coasts labor talks have promising progress in the near future, says LA Port director
Los Angeles port director Gene Seroka is attempting to calm the waters after nearly a year of labor talks with the port workers union. Seroka is expecting real progress by spring after west coat dock workers have been working without a labor contract since the summer of 2022.
Labor contracts provide job security for workers by establishing specific terms and conditions for employment, such as wages, benefits, and work rules. This helps to ensure that workers are protected from arbitrary layoffs, terminations, or changes in working conditions. Labor contracts also allow unionized workers to engage in collective bargaining with their employers to negotiate fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. This gives workers a stronger voice in the workplace and helps to ensure that their interests are represented. Additionally, labor contracts often include provisions related to workplace safety, such as equipment standards, training requirements, and procedures for reporting and addressing safety concerns. This helps to protect workers from accidents and injuries on the job.
Two years ago, California lawmakers quietly passed a complex energy bill that transformed how residents are billed for electricity.