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PMTA ANNUAL PICNIC

The second Annual Schulz Family and PMTA Picnic was held on Saturday, July 19, 1997 at the home of Chris and Uwe Schulz. This year's picnic was bigger and better than before. The theme of this year's picnic was unity in the Delaware River region. The three states surrounding the River were well represented at this affair. Attendees included PMTA members, Maritime Exchange members and Officers, Diamond State Port Corporation representatives and the Port of Philadelphia and Camden representatives.

This was a beautiful day filled with good food, fun and socializing. We want to thank those of you who attended and made this such a special day. To those of you who were unable to attend, we hope to see you next year.

PMTA ANNOUNCES MARKETING EFFORT

On July 30, 1997 the PMTA held a press conference at the City Midday Club in New York City to announce to the shipping world an aggressive new marketing campaign. This campaign will let the shipping community know of the benefits of using the PMTA-ILA contract as well as the terminals in the Delaware River region.

The PMTA was joined at this press conference by Mr. Adam McBride, Executive Director of the Diamond State Port Corporation, Mr. Paul DeMariano, President and CEO of the Port of Philadelphia and Camden, Mr. Dennis Rochford, President of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay and Mr. James H. Paylor, Jr., International Vice President, ILA. Also in attendance were various PMTA members, their customers and potential users of the Ports.

In his presentation, Mr. Schulz focused on the changes in the PMTA-ILA contract that are unlike any other ILA Port in the North Atlantic region. He highlighted the numerous hiring times and the ability to place orders 365 days a year; reduction in fringe benefit costs and changes in fringe benefit programs; changes in work rules allowing for more flexibility and a renewed spirit of cooperation between the PMTA and the ILA.

Mr. Schulz also announced that the marketing effort included the expertise of Peter F. Vickers & Associates, Barbara Spector Yeninas Associates Inc., A. J. C. Consulting and Paul F. Richardson Associates.

As a follow up to this conference, the PMTA will be working with these organizations to come up with a brochure and a direct mailing campaign to promote the highlights of the contract. We have quite and extensive mailing list in mind, but if you have someone in mind please provide us with the mailing address and we will have the information sent, once it is available. A copy of our press release is attached.

ILA WORK HOURS

We are pleased to announce, for the first time in almost 10 years, the ILA man hours worked under a PMTA-ILA contract show an increase from one year to the next. Through week ending July 13, 1997 the man hours worked show an increase of approximately 11% over a comparable period for last year.

The increase can be attributed to the newly negotiated PMTA-ILA contract, which allows the PMTA employers to seek new cargoes at fairly competitive rates. Also contributing to this increase is the rise in the tonnage of steel commodities handled in the Ports. Hopefully we will continue this trend through the last two months of this contract and into the next contract year.

PMTA RETIREES

On August 1, 1997, three long time PMTA employees retired. Ms. Claire Gorman, Mr. William Zeccola and Mr. Joseph Stankiewicz served this organization for a combined total of 52 years. Both Claire and Bill worked in the PMTA's main office while Joe served in both the Philadelphia and Wilmington Hiring Centers. The Executive Committee, Board of Directors and remaining staff of the PMTA wish them many years of health and happiness in their retirement.

PMTA ON THE INTERNET

We are pleased to announce the PMTA is in the process of constructing a web site on the Internet. This process will take some time but once complete will be a method of supplying information to our members as well as perspective customers. We can be reached at http://www.pmta.com/index.html. Take a look and let us know what you think. Feel free to provide suggestions or comments.
 

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