R.G. Edmonson | Oct 14, 2009 4:17PM EDT
Ocean carriers in the Puerto Rico domestic trade anticipate business as usual on Thursday despite a call by labor unions for a one-day general strike on the island.
Labor leaders are predicting that some 100,000 workers will walk out to protest the layoff of approximately 17,000 government workers by Gov. Luis Fortuno on Sept. 25.
Officials with Horizon Lines and Crowley Liner Services expect little or no disruption.
“It’s always tough to tell. Sometimes they’ll picket outside of our terminal and won’t let trucks in,” said Jacob M. Wegrzyn, Horizon Lines senior vice president and general manager for Puerto Rico operations. “The ports authority has advised them that they would take a hard stand not to interrupt business, which is one of the first times that’s happened.”
Horizon expects a slow day, Wegrzyn said. “It’s not a ship day for us.” The only change in routine is that gates will open at 7 a.m. instead of 6 a.m.
Crowley expects a slow day, said spokesman Mark Miller, because protesters may delay traffic and keep some trucks from reaching the terminal.
Miller said the company’s union employees said they would show up for work on Thursday.
Contact R.G. Edmonson at bedmonson@joc.com.
