Warring Web Sites

During recent longshore contract negotiations for Atlantic and Gulf ports, labor-saving technology was a sticking point. Now, as the campaign for rank-and-file ratification of the contract enters its final days before next Tuesday's referendum, union supporters and opponents of the deal are using Internet technology to get their message out.

The International Longshoremen's Association has touted the contract on its Web Site and used Facebook to highlight ILA President Richard Hughes' visits to union locals to urge ratification of the agreement.

Meanwhile, the Longshore Workers Coalition is using its corner of cyberspace to argue for rejection of the contract. And in Jacksonville, Vincent Cameron, ex-president of Local 1408, has launched his own Web Site to air his opinions about the deal.