Birthdays:

Please join us in wishing the following J.W. Allen & Co. family member a Happy Birthday:

Michele Vicknair – May 10th

Anniversaries:

Please join us in wishing the following J.W. Allen & Co. family member a Happy Anniversary for their dedicated time & effort they have given us through the years:

Monica “Taty” Hamburger – May 13th – 5 years

Karen Johns – May 24th – 38 years

Erin Clancey – May 25th – 3 years

Holidays:

Happy Mother’s Day – May 12th

J.W. Allen’s Annual Crawfish Boil – May 24th

Happy Memorial Day – May 27th – Office Closed

Birthdays:

Please join us in wishing the following J.W. Allen & Co. family member a Happy Birthday:

Cathy Alvarez – April 24th

Anniversaries:

Please join us in wishing the following J.W. Allen & Co. family member a Happy Anniversary for their dedicated time & effort they have given us through the years:

Jerry Becnel – April 10th – 18 years

Festivals:

French Quarter Festival – April 11th

Strawberry Festival – April 12th – 14th

N.O. Jazz Fest – April 26th – May 5th

March 2013

Update on United States Maritime Alliance
And  International Longshoremen’s Association
Labor Negotiations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George H. Cohen issued the following statement today, February 1st, on the labor negotiations between the United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association:
 
“I am extremely pleased to announce that the parties have reached a tentative agreement for a comprehensive successor Master Agreement. The tentative agreement is subject to the ratification procedures of both parties and, as well, to agreements being achieved in a number of local union negotiations. Those local negotiations are ongoing and will continue without interruption to any port operation. Out of respect for the parties’ ratification processes, and consistent with the Agency’s long-standing confidentiality policy, we will not disclose any details concerning the substantive provisions that have been reached.”
 
“However, as the negotiations have been conducted under the auspices of the FMCS, ommencing last September and continuing to date, I can report that the tentative agreement reflects the culmination of good faith negotiations in which the parties successfully accommodated strongly held competing positions because of their commitment to problem solving. Again, collective bargaining has proven its worth by avoiding a potential work stoppage that would have had a severe negative impact on the nation’s economy.”
 
“On behalf of the FMCS, I want to especially convey my thanks to ILA President Harold Daggett and USMX Chairman and CEO James Capo for their leadership, patience, and persistence and to their respective hard-working negotiating committees. Finally, my colleagues Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh, Director of Mediation Services Jack Sweeney, and Commissioner Pete Donatello provided valuable assistance both to me and the parties throughout this lengthy process.”

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The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation.   Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities. 

Birthdays:

Please join us in wishing the following J.W. Allen & Company family members a Happy Birthday:

Kristi App & Gretchen Groom – February 09th
Twice the reason to celebrate!

Holidays:

Mardi Gras Holiday – February 12th (Office Closed)
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler
(Let the Good Times Roll!)

Happy Valentine’s Day – February 14th

Birthdays:

Please join us in wishing the following J.W. Allen & Co. family members a Happy Birthday:

Monica “Taty” Hamburger – January 2nd

Debbie Janusa – January 25th

Anniversaries:

The following person celebrates her Anniversary with J.W. Allen & Co. this month:

Cathy Alvarez – January 5th – 18 years

Happy New Year!

Statement by FMCS Director George H. Cohen on United States Maritime Alliance And International Longshoremen’s Association Labor Negotiations 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — “I am extremely pleased to announce that the parties have reached the agreements set forth below as a result of a mediation session conducted by myself and my colleague Scot Beckenbaugh, Deputy Director for Mediation Services, on Thursday, December 27, 2012:
 
“The container royalty payment issue has been agreed upon in principle by the parties, subject to achieving an overall collective bargaining agreement. The parties have further agreed to an additional extension of 30 days (i.e., until midnight, January 28, 2013) during which time the parties shall negotiate all remaining outstanding Master Agreement issues, including those relating to New York and New Jersey. The negotiation schedule shall be set by the FMCS after consultation with the parties.”
 
“Given that negotiations will be continuing and consistent with the Agency’s commitment of confidentiality to the parties, FMCS shall not disclose the substance of the container royalty payment agreement. What I can report is that the agreement on this important subject represents a major positive step toward achieving an overall collective bargaining agreement. While some significant issues remain in contention, I am cautiously optimistic that they can be resolved in the upcoming 30-day extension period.”
 
“On behalf of our Agency, I want to thank the parties, especially ILA President Harold Daggett and USMX Chairman & CEO James Capo, for their ongoing adherence to the collective bargaining process, which has enabled them to avoid the imminent deadline for a work stoppage that could have economically disruptive nationwide implications.”

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 The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation.  Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities. 

USMX Accepts, ILA Rejects Mediator’s Proposal for Contract Extension
December 18, 2012 – USMX Evening Press Release

NEWARK (DEC. 18, 2012) – At bargaining sessions held today, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) recommended a short contract extension to keep both parties at the bargaining table. While USMX agreed to the extension, ILA rejected it, refusing to discuss any changes to the status quo on container royalty and renewing its vow to strike. During a meeting Dec.10, the ILA Wage Scale delegates rejected the USMX proposal for a Master Contract and voted to strike when the current extension expires on Dec. 29.

“USMX and its members are disappointed with the breakdown of negotiations and the inflexible stance that the union’s leaders have maintained over the nine-month course of these talks,” said James A. Capo, USMX chairman and CEO. “It is especially disheartening given the history of cooperation that in the past has characterized negotiations with the ILA and, since 1977, has resulted in nine new agreements without a single strike or coast-wide work stoppage.”

The following is a summary of the USMX proposal rejected by the ILA:

1. Term of Agreement: USMX offered a six-year agreement, which provides stability and security for ILA members.

2. Tentative agreements had been reached on three major concerns of the ILA:

a. New Technology and Automation – Provides for protection of individuals who may be displaced as a result of the implementation of new technology.
b. Chassis Maintenance and Repair – Work preservation provisions promote continued ILA jurisdiction of chassis maintenance and repair work within the marine terminals and port areas covered by the Master Contract.
c. Jurisdiction – Strengthened the authority of the joint ILA/USMX Jurisdiction Committee to resolve disputes over jurisdictional matters.

3. USMX offered wage increases: Two wage increases of $1 each were offered over the term of agreement. ILA’s average hourly rate will increase to over $55, including overtime and container royalty.

4. USMX offered Container Royalty Protection: Proposal would protect Container Royalty payments at 2011 levels for current recipients for 25 years or until they leave the industry, whichever occurs first. New employees would not be eligible for Container Royalty payments.

5. Healthcare Benefits: USMX agreed to guarantee funding for the term of the agreement so that the reserve would not fall below a six-month level. NO reduction in healthcare benefits.

6. Financial Assistance for Local Benefits: Additional funding will continue to be available for local ports experiencing difficulties in meeting their financial obligations to local benefit plans.

7. Container Freight Stations: Assessment of 25¢/ton reinstated to cover subsidy and training.

8. Operational Improvements: USMX proposed discussions on operational improvements in the following areas:

Manning
Starting times and guarantees
Shift system
Hours of work/overtime

9. Drug and Alcohol Testing: Revision of current drug and alcohol policy to require random testing at all ports.

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Management Rejects ILA Offer to Extend Master Contract To February 1st
December 18, 2012 – ILA Evening Press Release

The ILA wanted to say “Happy New Year” With a Contract Extension to February 1, 2013 but United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) answered with a resounding “Bah Humbug” and rejected an ILA offer to extend the deadline of the current Master Contract through the end of January 2013.

The two sides met today in Newark, New Jersey today (December 18th) for negotiations with the Federal Mediator George Cohen present and with a December 29th deadline looming in less than two weeks. The ILA knew there was a lot of negotiating work in front of them and that many issues required time and effort to resolve. One key issue – Container Royalty – was considered untouchable by the union. So they proposed to USMX that the current contract extension be moved from December 29th to February 1, 2013 provided that management takes the Container Royalty issue off the table.

The ILA even hinted that they would become more flexible in negotiations involving other sticky issues with the month’s extension but USMX said no.

“USMX seems intent on gutting a provision of our Master Contract that ILA members fought and sacrificed for years to achieve,” said ILA President Harold J. Daggett. “We have repeatedly asked them to leave this item alone – it was a hard won gain by ILA members and a wage supplement achieved through hard fought negotiations.”

ILA still hopes USMX prevents a strike on December 30th by agreeing to the extension.

December Office Closures

Please be advised of the following J.W. Allen & Company office closures in recognition of the Christmas Holiday.

Dec 14^th – Office Closure @ 3:30 p.m.

J.W. Allen & Company Christmas Party

Dec 24^th & Dec 25^th – Office Closed

Christmas Holiday

January 1^st – Office Closed**

New Year’s Holiday

**A decision regarding the closure of our office on Monday December 31^st (New Year’s Eve) will be forthcoming as we gather information on port and related industry closures.

Should you require assistance during this time, please Click Here to access Emergency Contact information as available on our website.

Thank you so much for your continued support and Best Wishes for a Blessed Holiday Season

Birthdays:

Please join us in wishing the following J.W. Allen & Co. family members a Happy Birthday:

Peggy Bordelon – December 21st

Anniversaries:

The following person celebrates her Anniversary with J.W. Allen & Co. this month:

Beth Raymond – December 18th – 36 years

Holidays:

Christmas Eve – December 24th

Christmas Day – December 25th – Merry Christmas!

New Year’s Eve – December 31st