The PLUS Act, which was introduced by Idaho Senator James Risch, was the result of efforts by ICTSI Oregon, Inc., the terminal operating company for the Port of Portland’s Terminal 6, to focus congressional attention on the ongoing problem of maritime labor slowdowns.

The measure would amend the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to make intentional slowdowns by maritime unions an unfair labor practice. Offending labor organizations would be subjected to federal court injunctions against slowdowns as well as damage claims to injured parties. Intentional slowdowns are orchestrated campaigns by labor unions such as the International Warehouse and Longshore Union (ILWU) to essentially engage in a strike with little or no cost to their members. In contrast to a formal strike, however, union workers continue receiving full pay and benefits, even as they inflict significant damage on thelocal, regional and national economies.

“As a port operator, ICTSI Oregon has deep relationships with local small businesses, farmers, and the import and export community throughout the Columbia River region and Western states. We identify with the significant pain they continue to experience as a result of the ILWU’s actions during the most recent contract negotiations,” said ICTSI Oregon CEO Elvis Ganda. “If enacted, the PLUS Act will help ensure that a small number of workers cannot engage in unfair labor practices that threaten our nation’s economic prosperity and hold our economy hostage.”

While intentional slowdowns are not a significant problem in most segments of the U.S. economy, they are a major and growing problem in the maritime industry, particularly the West Coast. Currently, a loophole in the NLRA has allowed the ILWU to use slowdowns as leverage against ports and port operators—particularly during contract negotiations. As a result, the last three contract negotiation years have seen major disruption to the West Coast and U.S. economy. In 2002, a 10-day shutdown as a result of labor slowdowns cost the U.S. economy an estimated $15.6 billion. This past year, economists report that slowdowns subtracted a full percentage point off the entire U.S. GDP during Q4 2014.

ICTSI Oregon representatives recently made trips to Washington, D.C. to propose and build support among congressional lawmakers and trade associations for reasonable maritime labor law reform. According to Ganda, there is growing support among a diverse range of stakeholders to find a solution to West Coast labor issues and significant interest in the proposed legislation. ICTSI Oregon has worked closely with Senator Risch and his staff to finalize the PLUS Act for Senate consideration.

“We applaud Senator Risch’s leadership in proposing the PLUS Act and are hopeful that other West Coast representatives and senators will champion the measure,” said Ganda. “This legislation represents an important change to maritime labor law that will go a long way toward ensuring a more stable work environment at West Coast ports, one in which innocent parties are not subjected to severe economic damage by unfair union slowdown tactics.”

The PLUS Act has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

The net result for 2014 came to EUR 52.5 million. These and other key figures are stated in the recently published annual report. The most important source of income for the Port of Amsterdam comes from port dues that ships pay when calling in the port and the leasing of sites. The income from port dues amounted to EUR 50.4 million in 2014 (2013: EUR 50.6 million), while income from inland port dues came to EUR 6.4 million (2013: EUR 5.6 million). The income from rents, ground lease and quayage in 2014 came to EUR 74.2 million (2013: EUR 70.8 million).

The number of ship calls in the port region (Velsen, Beverwijk, Zaandam andAmsterdam) was 7,486 in 2014, compared to 7,596 in 2013. The lower number was due to the increase in the average size of the ships. A total of 126 sea cruises called in Amsterdam, compared to 137 in 2013. The river cruise market increased again, with 1,685 calls in Amsterdam compared to 1,483 in the previous year.

Port of Amsterdam CEO Dertje Meijer: ‘2014 was an iconic year for us and our customers. The positive decision for a new sea lock is a choice for growth and a future for the region and the Port of Amsterdam. If we can grow further, we can also add more value to the city, the port region and the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. From a financial point of view, it was also a good year. Once again, together with our customers, we have succeeded in posting a very satisfactory result.’

We expect growth to continue and that the result for the whole of 2015 will be positive. Port of Amsterdam has had a good first quarter in 2015. Operating income has risen compared to the previous year, mainly due to higher contract income from land allocation in 2014 and the first three months of 2015. Transhipments amounted to 21.3 million tonnes in the first quarter, virtually the same amount as in the first quarter of 2014.