JOC Staff | Mar 22, 2013 4:25PM EDT
The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association and International Longshore and Warehouse Union have sent a joint letter to U.S. Sens. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and others expressing concern over the impact of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s elimination of overtime for all personnel as a result of sequestration.
The letter specified that California ports in particular will be negatively and disproportionately affected by Customs’ decision because of longer operating hours compared with other U.S. ports, as a result of higher volumes. The letter asked that Customs restore overtime for its agents and provide the flexibility needed to operate California seaports efficiently.
“Absent a change in policy to provide greater flexibility to Customs for overtime services at California seaports, the net effect of sequestration will be congestion at California’s marine terminals,” the letter said.
It was signed by John R. McLaurin, president of the PMSA; Joe Cortez, president of ILWU Local 13; Michael Podue, president of ILWU Local 63; and Daniel G. Miranda, president of ILWU Local 94.