Ports of the Delaware River Marine Trade Association
An occasional newsletter concerning activities on the South Jersey, Philadelphia, and Wilmington waterfronts.	Volume 1, #2 Winter 1998

PMTA Reports 32 % Man-Hour Increase Since Onset of Five-Year Contract

For the second consecutive contract year, hours worked by members of the ILA under the contract with the Ports of the Delaware River Marine Trade Association (PMTA) employer members increased significantly. According to information received from O’Neill Consulting Corporation, hours worked under the PMTA-ILA Contract increased 20.99% over the previous year to a total of 1,665, 000 hours. Over the first 2 year period of this 5 year contract, hours have increased a total of 32%. The contract year runs from
October 1 to September 30. Increase in Manhours

In an attempt to help man this increased volume of work the PMTA-ILA Contract Board created a secondary workforce of employees to supplement the Basic Unit people. In addition, at the Contract Board meeting on November 2, 1998, the Board agreed to waive the 350 hour requirement for Basic Unit eligibility for the year end September 30, 1998. The PMTA-ILA Identification Cards set to expire on 9/30/98 were extended for one year and will expire on 9/30/99.

Automated Hiring System

To streamline hiring procedures, the PMTA signed a contract with Computer Instruments, Inc., to begin the design and implementation phase of an Automated Hiring System that was agreed to in the current PMTA-ILA Contract. The contract was signed on October 23, 1998 and it is anticipated that it will take 12 to 14 months for full implementation of the system.
The PMTA has benefited by Hampton Roads implementation of a similar system. No other ports have undertaken this task that will revolutionize the hiring practices in the maritime industry. The automated system will enable the parties to better utilize the workforce and help us meet the requirements of the contracts concerning craft interchange and hour constraints.
Uwe Schulz, President of the PMTA, has coined it the "3 R’s" of an efficient hiring system. "The Right Person for the Right Job at the Right Time." He added: "It will provide a more equitable work distribution of the workforce. Inequities in hiring practices will be eliminated. It will enable us to monitor our workforce on a real time basis."
Under the Master Contract no employee is permitted to work more than 16 hours for one or more employers in any one 24 hour period except in emergencies in which case work may continue for no longer than two additional hours. These rules are in force to avoid fatigue and reduce accidents.
In addition, ILA Local 1291 negotiated a 40 hour step back clause. It states that the Seniority Board will meet and discuss, with the intention to implement, a system whereby bargaining unit employees working and /or guaranteed 40 hours in a work week (Monday through Friday), will step back to make fill-in job opportunities available to the remaining employees who have not achieved 40 hours.
"It will supply us with accurate record keeping that is so vital in today’s competitive environment. Employees will no longer need to wait at the Hiring Center to determine if a job is available." Added Mr. Schulz.
With the new Automated Hiring System in place, PMTA will be well poised for the challenges of the next millennium. It will enable PMTA facilities and employers to meet customer’s needs in the most cost effective and efficient manner. The PMTA is continuing to look for outside funding to offset the $600,000 purchase for the new system.

Dedicated Cruise Ship Terminal Opens

Local port interests are hoping that luxury liners will be attracted to the new dedicated Cruise Ship terminal at the Philadelphia Naval Business Center. The official opening of the Port of Philadelphia and Camden facility was held in September.
The former factory building and machine shop known as the Navy Base’s Building 3 since 1874, has been completely renovated and turned into what will henceforth be known as Philadelphia’s Cruise Ship Terminal.
Participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony were Governor Ridge; Mayor Rendell; Pennsylvania State Senator and State Majority Leader F. Joseph Loeper; Pennsylvania State Representative William Keller; Philadelphia City Councilman James Kenney and a host of individuals from the port, business and tourism communities.
During remarks each anticipated that the state-of-the-art facility, along with the many historical sights, arts, theater, and sightseeing opportunities, passenger shipping lines would consider the region a worthwhile destination.
Though the September 14th event marked the official grand opening of the facility, the Ports new Cruise Ship Terminal and Delaware River Stevedores, Inc. had already serviced several cruise ship calls.
Prior to the establishment of the new dedicated Cruise Ship Terminal, cruise ships called at the cargo facilities at Packer Avenue Marine Terminal and Tioga Marine Terminal. City and port officials believe that a terminal exclusively dedicated to the cruise ship trade could more efficiently serve the vacationing public and help to make Philadelphia a true destination city.

Cargo Handling Facility Changes

In addition to the new Cruise Terminal at the Philadelphia Navy Shipyard below is a synopsis of additional changes to Marine Terminals in the Delaware River.

Tioga Refrigeration -

Governor Ridge released 4.75 million dollars at the end of September to build a 150,000 square foot addition to Tioga. They are exploring the most effective way to accomplish this project and get it done as soon as possible.

Automated Handling at Pier 96 -

Pasha Auto Warehousing, Inc., the operators of PRPA’s (Philadelphia Regional Port Authority) automobile processing facility at Pier 96/Pier 98 Annex, celebrated the completion of rail access into the facility with an on-site reception in early October. The new rail spur now allows tri-level auto carrying rail cars, the preferred method of transporting automobile cargoes once they’re landside, to move directly on and off the Pasha facility. Pasha executives and PRPA marketing officials are optimistic about this new rail access attracting additional auto cargoes to the Port. Capital improvements to Pier 96 have already resulted in increased business during the past year.

Expansion of Free Trade Zone Areas -

Effective immediately, PRPA’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal is the home of two newly-activated foreign trade zones, adding another benefit to shippers utilizing the facility, the largest in the port district. In September, terminal operator Holt Cargo Systems (the applicant) and PRPA (the Grantee of FTZ #35) received final approval from the Foreign Trade Zones Board to activate FTZ’s at two specified sites within the terminal. The two sites cover over 32 acres and include open, dry, and temperature-controlled warehouse space. Increasingly, a region’s ability to offer the benefits of foreign trade zones is a major attraction for manufacturers and shippers.

Construction has begun

at the Broadway Terminal, the 75,000 square foot expansion of the Del Monte temperature-controlled warehouse has commenced. This will increase the heated/chilled storage area to 135,000 sq. ft. The expansion is scheduled for completion in January 1999.

PMTA Distributes Holiday Cheer

To celebrate and acknowledge the man-hour increase, supermarket gift certificates are being distributed to the Basic Unit workforce.
PMTA and its employer members Christina Service Company, Delaware River Stevedores, Inc., Holt Cargo Systems, Inc., J.H. Stevedoring Company, M.J. Rudolph of Camden, Inc., Murphy Marine Services, Inc., PA Tidewater Dock Company, Tri-State Bulk Handling, and Wilmington Stevedores, Inc. will be distributing holiday cheer to the longshoremen.
"With the recent increase in our man hours, the Executive Board of the PMTA at it’s recent Board meeting decided to distribute a gift certificate in the amount of $20.00 to each member of the Basic Unit workforce in appreciation for "Getting the Job Done." The gift certificate is redeemable at any ACME Supermarket and will be distributed during the holiday season.

PMTA Schedules Third Press Conference

With so much positive news emanating from the region, the PMTA planned its third Press Conference during a luncheon at the Harbour League Club, in Camden, New Jersey.
Uwe Schulz, President of the PMTA, will discuss the continuing growth of the ILA man hours, the implementation of the Automated Hiring System, and the new PMTA-ILA Training Program. This event follows two other very successful press conferences held in 1997, the Summer in New York and the Fall in Philadelphia. Both were widely covered by the transportation press and brought additional recognition to the maritime community here.
Press Conferences, attended by members of the media and local officials, are held in order to keep the public informed about the role of our port district in the regional economy. They are also a means of marketing the PMTA-ILA Contract and keeping the international transportation maritime industry at large abreast of the many positive changes that have developed in our region.

PMTA-ILA Training Program

PMTA-ILA Training Committee recently put an ambitious Training Program together for the remaining 3 years of their unprecedented 5 year contract. The Committee is chaired by Tom Otto, Secretary/Treasurer of Local 1291 and Walter Curran of Holt Cargo Systems, Inc.
Most of the ground work has been placed with Bill Kidston, Safety Director of the PMTA. The Committee recently met with State Representative William Keller of Pennsylvania, James McDermott, Executive Director of the PRPA, and Michael Acker, Deputy Secretary of Workforce Development & Safety, to secure funding for this most important venture.
"We are pleased to announce that the first grant for training will be used for Local 1242 in using hand-held computer units taking place during the week of November 23, 1998. In addition, Uwe Schulz, President of PMTA made a presentation to the ILA-CCC Container Freight Station Fund and has secured an additional $300,000.00 for training purposes for the next year for Master Contract Training.
Since our work opportunities have increased and natural attrition has reduced our workforce we have opened our ranks to a secondary workforce.
"It is of utmost importance therefore, that we train our remaining workforce so they have the skills needed to maintain our work productivity. It is also essential that we re-certify our workforce in order that they maintain their skills and we provide a safe work environment for our employees," he added.
Not too long ago the PMTA was fighting for survival. Training was on the back burner. Fortunately things have changed and work opportunities have increased to remain competitive the parties realize it is essential to have a significant training program.

PMTA-ILA Trustees Attend 44th Annual Employee Benefits Conference

Labor and Management Trustees of the PMTA-ILA Pension and Welfare Funds recently attended the 44th Annual Employee Benefits Conference sponsored by the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans. The Conference was attended by nearly 7,000 people.
The purpose of this conference is to help multi-employer and public-sector plan trustees and professionals fulfill their responsibilities to their plan participants.
The theme this year was Better Education - Better Decisions. The sessions were designed to help one expand one’s vision of the employee benefits universe, sharpen one’s perception of the problems and issues and find workable solutions.
The conference allows for continuing education and networking with other trustees, as well bringing together the latest technology and vendors serving the benefit industry all under the same roof. This particular conferences allowed PMTA-ILA trustees to fulfill their fiduciary duties thus benefiting the plan participants.

Breakbulk Transpo - New Orleans

Uwe Schulz, President of the PMTA, with several members of the PMTA Executive Board attended the Breakbulk Transpo sponsored by the Journal of Commerce, held in New Orleans.
The Transpo was attended by over 500 people in the Breakbulk industry. This was the second year that Mr. Schulz addressed the group. He participated under the "Stevedores & Terminal Operators: Meeting the Needs of the Customer in Changing Times - Past, Present and Future."
Mr. Schulz emphasized that the PMTA region Breakbulk is not just a sideline but is considered "bread and butter." More than 60% of total PMTA hours can be attributed to breakbulk and bulk cargo while the remaining 40% is containerized. He stressed the importance of working together with all maritime entities (private, labor and government) to meet the changing times and needs of the customer (cargo.) In his presentation Mr. Schulz illustrated the requirements and elements for a successful port that will make it user friendly. He stressed the importance of labor stability and thanked Robert Gladden, ILA Atlantic Coast District Vice President, who was in attendance, for the stability in the Delaware River Region.
Mr. Schulz also seized the opportunity to speak about our user friendly contract with its 14 to 19 starting times, work in all types of inclement weather; the port never closed more than 24 hours, only 4 no work days per year and the lowest ILA fringe benefit cost.
"This is making us one of the most cost competitive ILA ports in the nation. "Berth’s Without Labor Pains" has become our battle cry," he told the participants.
Copies of the PMTA brochure "The Ports of the Delaware River-Working for You" were available for distribution at the Ports of Philadelphia and Camden booth.
Mr. Schulz summarized his presentation: "We are running smoothly when our infrastructures are sound, our intermodal operations efficient and cost effective, when we have achieved not just harmony, but cooperation with labor. That is when we will meet the needs of our customers in the present and future."

Ship Calls BreakBulk/Bulk/Container Facilities January through October 1997 vs.1998 SOURCE: Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River & Bay	1997	1998
Port of Wilmington, Delaware	289	369
Gloucester, New Jersey	169	199
Penn Terminals, Chester,PA	155	159
Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, Philadelphia, PA	134	257
Camden Terminals, Camden , New Jersey	133	146
Tioga Terminal	116	125
Pier 80 South, Philadelphia, PA	82	98
Broadway 5 Terminal, Camden, New Jersey	69	65
Novalog, Fairless Hills, PA	44	126
Pier 82 South, Philadelphia, PA	43	43
Pier 122 South, Philadelphia, PA	32	9
Pier 1 Broadway, Camden, New Jersey	22	19

To work for the betterment, expansion, and prosperity of the Port Region
(Philadelphia, South Jersey, & Wilmington) with the emphasis in the field of labor relations

News from the Front is a publication of:
Ports of the Delaware River Marine Trade Association
Port Administration Building, Suite 301 3460 N. Delaware Ave., Phila., Pa. 19134
Uwe Schulz, President Patrick T. Dolan, Vice President William Kidston, Safety Director
Telephone: (215) 426-2510 Fax: (215) 426-4553 Website: www.pmta.com