Fla. Seaports to Share Worker Information

Port workers and truck drivers only need one Florida criminal background check instead of multiple, duplicate checks to work at three South Florida seaports.

The port directors of Port Everglades, the Port of Miami and the Port of Palm Beach signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday to begin sharing information and accepting one background check for entry into all three seaports.

Prior to this agreement, workers had to pay for and complete a separate Florida criminal background check at each seaport to obtain access. The accommodation will save workers time and money and gain a few months on a similar statewide program recently authorized by the Florida legislature but not yet in place.

“This memorandum of understanding is a step in the right direction to alleviate an unnecessary burden on workers while ensuring the highest level of security at our seaports,” said Port Everglades Director Phil Allen.

“Even though each of our ports have a different access system, we have agreed to share a database verifying that an individual has passed a state-mandated background check and is eligible for port access according to state security standards,” said Manuel Almira, Port Director for Port of Palm Beach.

“The goal is to save money for the people who have to come to the ports to do their jobs. And, we won’t have to sacrifice security to accomplish this goal,” said Bill Johnson, Port Director for Port of Miami.

Contact Thomas L. Gallagher at tgallagher@joc.com.