PRESIDENT’S WEEKLY RECAP
Brothers & Sisters,
First things first, if you are working on the docks this Labor Day Weekend, THANK YOU!
We have a very busy weekend ahead of us, and as you will see throughout this recap, there is a tremendous amount of work moving through the Port of Savannah. That work doesn’t move by itself. It takes all of you showing up, working together and getting the job done.
I appreciate every one of you who is helping to keep these vessels moving.
This week’s recap is going to be a little longer than usual. I am a week behind after traveling to the SEDMC meetings last week, so it is good to be back and get everyone caught up on everything happening around our Local.
A FEW HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS
PROUD TO BE ILA 1475
I want to start with something positive; we have a lot to be proud of.
ILA Local 1475 is a great Local, and the work that our members perform every day is a huge part of why the Port of Savannah continues to be one of the busiest and fastest growing ports in the country.
We are the 2nd largest clerical local on the East Coast, behind New Jersey Local 1.
That is something we should all be proud of.
Everyone dispatched through ILA 1475’s Hiring Hall represents this Local every time they walk through the gate. Let’s continue to carry ourselves in a way that reflects the great Local we are.
If we are going to “talk the talk,” let’s continue to “walk the walk.”
We make good money because we perform important work, and we should carry ourselves with the professionalism that comes with being part of ILA Local 1475.
Let’s continue to respect one another, help one another and take pride in what we do.
That same pride should extend to the equipment we use every day.
COMPANY VEHICLES
We have a lot of new company vehicles, and I have received some reports of vehicles being left in rough condition at the end of a shift.
Let’s all do our part to keep these vehicles clean and in good condition.
Remember, in some cases, another brother or sister may be getting into that same vehicle just an hour after you finish your shift.
Pay it forward.
Take your trash with you, leave the vehicle ready for the next person and treat the equipment with the same respect you would expect from the person before you.
If you get into a vehicle that is already in bad condition, please report it to management so it can be addressed.
These are small things, but they make a big difference.
STAY ENGAGED – THERE IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY AHEAD
I have talked quite a bit over the past year about the importance of staying engaged in the operation.
The reason I continue to bring it up is because our operation is changing, and our value is more important than ever.
Technology is playing a larger role in what we do every day.
That doesn’t mean our jobs are becoming less important.
It means our knowledge, experience and ability to identify problems are more important than ever.
When you are in the VCC, stay connected to what is happening around you.
The Kitchen Clerk, Field Clerk and Dock Clerk should be communicating.
Dock Clerks should be looking ahead and ultimately directing the gang.
Zone SCWCs should be communicating with VCC Clerks, Plan Clerks, Ship Foremen and Dock Clerks to identify potential conflicts before they become problems.
The more we communicate, the more efficiently we work.
And when we identify a problem before it becomes a problem, that is us showing exactly why our experience and our jobs matter.
As International President Harold Daggett has said, “now more than ever we have to stay engaged and prove our worth”.
I don’t say that because I think we aren’t doing a good job.
I say it because I know what this Local is capable of, and I know how valuable our members are.
VESSEL FORECAST & VOLUME
Now let’s talk about what is happening at the Port.
The volume is here!
We have been talking for quite some time about the volume returning, and the numbers are showing us that it has.
Our three-week outlook is:
- Week of 09/14: 39 vessel calls — 61,383 lifts
- Week of 09/21: 39 vessel calls — 68,501 lifts
- Week of 09/28: 37 vessel calls — 59,903 lifts
That’s 115 vessel calls and nearly 190,000 projected lifts in just three weeks.
And when we look at the six-week outlook, we are currently projecting 336,278 lifts.
That is a LOT of work!
And it is also a great opportunity for our Local.
We have been waiting for this volume to come back, and now that it is here, let’s continue to show everyone what ILA 1475 can do.
We still have vessels at anchor and clearly more work coming.
Let’s make our sailings, limit errors, keep the operation moving and drive production, all while doing it safely.
At the end of the day, nothing is more important than everyone going home safely to their families.
DAILY VOLUME – LOOK AT THE PROGRESS!
I also wanted to give everyone an update on our daily volume.
The last time we spoke, I told you that we were expecting things to get busy toward the end of the month.
And they did.
We closed out the week of 08/24 with an average daily volume of 10,043 lifts.
That was more than 700 lifts above the 28-day daily average.
Then we followed that up with the week of 08/31 averaging 10,199 lifts per day.
That’s some serious volume.
This is exactly what we have been waiting for.
The Port is busy, our members are busy, and the work is here.
Let’s continue to push forward and show everyone what this Local can accomplish.
PRODUCTION – LET’S KEEP CLIMBING
Now let’s take a look at production.
Our latest report shows an average of 28.9 crane moves per hour.
There are always things that affect our gross production, weather, vessel conditions, equipment, traffic and a number of other factors.
But there are also things we control.
One of the easiest ways we can continue improving is by maximizing the time we already have.
The pre-meal break, post-meal break and finishing hours are opportunities for us to pick up additional moves.
And it doesn’t take a huge change.
Just two additional moves during each of those three hours can increase Gross Production by approximately 0.6 MPH.
That would have taken August production from 28.2 to 28.8.
That’s something we can accomplish by simply communicating better and working together.
Kitchen Clerks communicating with D&D.
Field Clerks being in position to expedite field tasks when needed.
Hatch Clerks communicating with D&D and Kitchen Clerks.
D&D communicating with Driving Headers etc.
Everybody has a role to play.
And when all of those pieces work together, the entire operation benefits.
A LOOK AT THE 23, 01 & 05 HOURS
Last week I talked with the Executive Board about how important those hours around breaks are. I have been receiving reports of clerks leaving during these hours @ 15 and 20 minutes after the hour. We cannot have this if we want to continue moving forward.
Looking at the latest hourly numbers, the 23, 01 and 05 hours really stand out, averaging approximately 23 moves per hour.
Here’s what I want everyone to think about:
One additional move in each of those hours, we would have reached approximately 30.0 Gross Production.
Two additional moves gets us to approximately 30.4.
Three additional moves gets us to approximately 30.8.
That’s why communication and teamwork matter so much.
We have Headers, Drivers, Shipside, Gangmen, D&D, Field Clerks, Hatch Clerks and Kitchen Clerks all working together.
When everyone understands the goal and communicates with each other, small improvements add up very quickly.
We are already doing a lot of things right.
Now let’s find those little opportunities to make a good operation even better.
DOCK & MARINE COUNCIL MEETING
The Dock & Marine Council meeting was great.
One thing that really stood out to me was listening to many of the other Presidents talk about how slow their ports are.
Then I get up to the microphone and talk about how busy Savannah is.
It really puts things into perspective.
We are very fortunate and blessed to have the amount of work that we have here in Savannah.
We have something worth protecting.
And that is exactly what we intend to do.
Three deadlocked grievances were heard. The recommendations were to take two back locally to continue working them out, with one being sent to the International.
The presidents of the Council are scheduled to sign the District Contract on October 22nd of this year. Six of the twelve outstanding issues have been resolved with the other six management standing firm on not changing.
I will keep everyone updated as these matters move forward.
MIS UPDATE
Please continue to test MIS and report any issues you find to an officer via email.
October 1st is coming quickly, and anytime we make a transition of this size, there are going to be some bumps along the way.
That’s okay.
What is important is that we work through those issues together.
Please continue working with Dispatch, communicate when you see problems and let’s make this transition as smooth as possible.
NEW GATE AGREEMENT TALKS
Our initial New Gate Agreement talks went well.
In short, our position is simple:
More personnel.
More hours.
More money.
We will continue working through these discussions and I will keep everyone updated as talks progress.
I also want to remind everyone about damages.
If you see damage, write it up please.
The more we document, the better position we are in to address these issues.
BREAK BULK UPDATE
No major update on Break Bulk at this time.
We are still waiting to hear back from Metro Ports.
They have all of the administrative material they need from the Local and GSA for dispatch, payroll, etc.
As soon as we have more information, I will pass it along.
RETIREMENT INCENTIVE – QUICK UPDATE
I know there has been some different information floating around, so I want to give everyone the short version.
The retirement incentive proposal, as originally presented, had two options – a 100% take rate or a 50% take rate for eligible participants @ a 20% incentive/increase.
Under the proposal, the fund would immediately go into the red (not negative but what the actuaries would call the “danger zone”) and take years to recover, and the money managers advised against moving forward with it in its current form.
For now, that proposal is off the table.
The Trustees have agreed to revisit the issue again in November and February.
When there is something new to report, I will make sure everyone knows.
FACIAL RECOGNITION REMINDER
Just a quick reminder on facial recognition.
The Gate 8 turnstile facial recognition system is now active.
GPA has also been working to get those who still need to register enrolled for access, including those who need access to Gate 4 Kitchen and Rae’s Hall.
September 10th is an important date.
If you have not completed your enrollment by then, you will not have normal access and will need to be buzzed in.
If you still need to register, please take care of it as soon as possible so you don’t have any issues getting where you need to go.
LOOKING AHEAD
Brothers & Sisters, there is a lot happening right now.
We have volume.
We have work.
We have new opportunities in front of us.
And most importantly, we have a membership capable of handling all of it.
We should be proud of what ILA Local 1475 has accomplished and where we are headed.
The goal isn’t simply to keep up with the work.
The goal is to continue showing everyone why ILA 1475 is one of the best clerical Locals in the ILA.
Let’s continue communicating.
Let’s continue helping each other.
Let’s continue looking for ways to improve.
Let’s continue protecting our work.
And let’s continue doing everything we do SAFELY.
LABOR DAY
Finally, I want to remind everyone that Labor Day is for YOU.
You have earned it.
Whether you’re working this weekend or getting some much-needed time with your family and friends, I hope you take a minute to appreciate what this holiday represents.
The work we do every day matters.
The jobs we perform matter.
And the reason we have these jobs is because generations of ILA members before us fought to build and protect them.
Now it is our responsibility to do the same for the next generation.
To everyone working this busy Labor Day Weekend:
THANK YOU for covering the work!
To everyone traveling:
Please travel safe.
And to everyone working on the docks:
Please stay safe.
Let’s have a great Labor Day Weekend and come back ready to keep pushing forward.
As always, thank you for your continued support, dedication and hard work.
I am proud to serve you.
ONE TEAM. ONE PURPOSE.
ILA ALL THE WAY!!!
“Take EZPass… Today all those union jobs are gone and it’s all EZPass. People don’t realize it… They want to go automation, they want more money, now get rid of these men.” – International President Harold Daggett.
“The disease that creeps into your program is called entitlement. We have a saying around our place; we eat off the floor. If you’re willing to eat off the floor, you can be special.” – UGA Head Coach Kirby Smart
“Treat people nicely on your way up. You might meet them on the way down… It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” – Nick Saban
“Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” – 1 Peter 2:23 You can’t control how people treat you. But you can control how you respond. Disrespect can come from a boss, a coworker or even someone you thought cared about you. It can cut deeper than any physical pain because it attacks your dignity. But don’t let their behavior steal your peace or your purpose.
In Solidarity,
Josh & TEAM
GO DAWGS! 🦴