The International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1410 began striking CSA Equipment Company’s breakbulk operations at the Port of Mobile Tuesday, less than a month after the two sides agreed to federal mediation.
In a news release, Mark Bass, president of the Local 1410, said that the union membership voted to strike after the union was notified that mediation, which was set to begin last Thursday, was canceled until further notice. On Friday, the union membership voted to proceed with the strike at a special meeting.
“At this special called meeting, a frustrated membership voted to proceed with the strike action against CSA Equipment Company’s Breakbulk operation without any further delay,” the news release said.
In October, the union voted to strike CSA’s breakbulk—or non-container—cargo unloading operations after negotiations over a new contract stalled. However, both sides agreed to work with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to try and avert a strike.
Local 1410, which represents around 800 dock workers, has worked without a contract with CSA since 2018, when their last contract expired. Three contract offers have been voted down by union membership: one presented in 2020, one in spring 2021 and one earlier this fall. Now, as the national ILA is set to re-negotiate its “master contract” with CSA’s two parent companies, SSA Marine and Cooper/T. Smith, Bass said it was time to agree on a new local contract.