President’s Weekly Recap
Brothers and Sisters,
What a way to close out the week! We had one hell of an end to the week and weekend run. There were moments when we were stretched thin, but every time we were tested, this workforce answered the call. You doubled, you tripled, you stayed over, and you made sure the work got done.
To every one of you who stepped up I sincerely thank you. Your commitment is the reason we continue to prove that no challenge is too big for ILA Local 1475.
Vessel & Volume Forecast
Here is our current four-week outlook:
- Week of 7/20: 39 vessel calls | 70,576 lifts (current week)
- Week of 7/27: 42 vessel calls | 66,712 lifts
- Week of 8/3: 40 vessel calls | 67,588 lifts
- Week of 8/10: 49 vessel calls | 78,959 lifts
I suspect some of the calls and lifts scheduled for the week of August 10 will slide into the following week, but overall, the vessel calls remain strong and the volume continues to increase. Everything points to another very busy stretch of summer.
I’ll continue to need everyone’s participation to help cover the work. Please continue marking up, queueing up, and helping fill the jobs. Your willingness to double and triple has made a tremendous difference.
New Hire Process
Baker Tilly has now received just over 500 total Sponsorship and HOLD applications.
Last Tuesday, 574 public applications were distributed between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Baker Tilly has advised that accepted or rejected emails for Sponsorship and HOLD applicants will be sent on July 29. Those selected will receive a link with instructions for the next step in the hiring process.
The public application process will move forward on August 3. I have a meeting with Baker Tilly tomorrow and I will update everyone if any new information is available.
Dispatch / MIS Queue Up
Please continue testing the MIS Queue Up system whenever possible. Every test helps identify issues before full implementation.
If you experience any problems, please email me or any officer directly so we can work with MIS to get them resolved as quickly as possible.
Membership Meeting Notices
For members who have not been receiving meeting notices by email, we have a temporary solution.
Due to ongoing email system issues, all August meeting notices will be mailed.
Beginning next month, members who opted for email notifications will instead receive a text message with a link to their meeting notice (similar to the President’s Page) while we continue improving the notification system.
Training
Please continue utilizing our VCC Trainers. Their job is to assist, educate, and help every VCC clerk become more successful in their daily operation.
We are also preparing for another round of Super Chief Training in the coming weeks.
Additionally, we’ve just completed two more rounds of Pre-Stow Training, and both sessions went very well.
Facial Recognition Update
It came to my attention today that facial recognition has officially been activated at the Gate 8 turnstiles.
If you have not yet enrolled, you can register at the GPA Credentialing Office Monday through Friday. Enrollment takes approximately 90 seconds and only requires your active TWIC card.
To make things easier, the GPA is planning to have a mobile enrollment unit on the terminal around mid August so members who work on the terminal or need access to Gate 4 Kitchen and Rae’s Hall can enroll while they are already on site. Currently, approximately half of our workforce is already registered, and there are more than 12,000 people enrolled throughout the Port.
Beginning September 10, if you are not enrolled in facial recognition, you will no longer have automatic access to these buildings and will need to be buzzed in.
A few important reminders:
- Access is now completely touch-free. There are no more hand scans or TWIC scans at access control points.
- Entry is typically granted in less than one second once you are enrolled.
- Your photo is used only for identity verification against your TWIC at the access point. It is not shared with anyone, not used for background checks, and not connected to any other system.
- You must continue to carry your TWIC card at all times. Federal regulations still require everyone to have their TWIC on their person.
- Do not use your face to allow another person access. Doing so is considered the same as allowing someone else to use your TWIC and could result in a reportable security breach.
Facial recognition is already active at all interchange truck lanes at Gates 3, 4, 8, and Ocean Terminal Gate 3.
Upcoming Installations (Tentative)
Container Port Building
- Installation Begins: September 2
- Expected Completion: September 9
Rae’s Hall
- Installation Begins: September 10
- Expected Completion: September 21
Please don’t wait until the last minute. If you haven’t enrolled yet, I encourage you to take a few minutes and get it done before the September deadlines.
Safety & Hydration
The summer heat isn’t letting up.
Remember that hydration starts the day before your shift.
We’ll continue making rounds on the docks every day with cold refreshments to help keep everyone hydrated throughout your shift.
Closing
Once again, this workforce showed exactly who we are.
When the work piled up…you answered.
When manpower got tight…you stepped in.
That is what solidarity looks like.
Thank you all for everything you continue to do for this Local and for one another.
“The price of greatness is responsibility.” Winston Churchill
“Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good.” Pope John Paul II
“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” Henry Ford
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” Phil Jackson
In Solidarity,
Josh & Team