Port of San Diego Hires New ILWU Local 29 Workers
Prospective employees of the ILWU Local 29 completed paperwork and received information on the next steps for beginning their jobs as "casual labor." (Photo: Port of San Diego)
The Port of San Diego hosted an employee orientation on August 7, 2015 for 100 prospective employees of the International Longshore Workers Union (ILWU) Local 29, the chapter of the ILWU that handles cargo at the port's Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and National City Marine Terminal. ILWU employees also assist with cruise ship operations at the Port's B Street Cruise Ship Terminal and Broadway Pier Terminal.
According to the port, the recent hiring is a positive sign for both the Port of San Diego and the region as it demonstrates that maritime business is on the rise and that the increase results in high-paying jobs and economic impact.
At the orientation, the applicants completed paperwork and received information on what the next steps were before beginning their jobs. The new workers are classified as "casual labor" and will perform auxiliary tasks during high demand days.
Workers must pass a strength and agility test, a physical exam and a drug and alcohol screening. Once those steps are successfully completed, they will undergo safety training.
Gerald Roiz, Local 29's president, said the hiring of the new workers comes just in time for the kickoff of the port's cruise season in September.
ILWU workers assist cruise operations in many ways. They load, unload and screen passenger luggage, they tie up the ship when it arrives at its berth and also assist with handling the cruise vessels' supplies.
"In addition to the current registration of foremen, clerks and members, the hiring of 100 additional workers strengthens Local 29's numbers, which keeps our customers happy," said Roiz. "The bigger the numbers, the better the service."
At the National City Marine Terminal, ILWU employees unload imported vehicles off of vessels and assist with getting the vehicles loaded onto railcars or trucks for transport to auto dealerships. They also assist with loading outbound cargo associated with Pasha Automotive Services' bi-weekly transportation service. Nearly 400,000 vehicles are processed each year at this terminal.
At the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, Local 29 labor offloads approximately 185 million bananas a month from Dole Fresh Fruit Company's container vessels. They also assist with unloading other types of cargo at the terminal, which includes cement, fertilizer, soda ash, petroleum, yachts, project cargo and windmill components.
Local 29 publicly advertises for casual labor applicants when there is a need for additional workers. Interested applicants send in a postcard with their information and then are entered into a lottery system which randomly selects about 100 names.
ILWU Local 29 plays an important role in the Port of San Diego's maritime operations, the port noted.. The port's two terminals are busy year-round and have 24-hour operations. In fiscal year 2014, about 2.7 million metric tons of cargo was imported. Port maritime operations are responsible for $3.5 billion in economic impact and 1,400 jobs.
