Can anyone explain what is meant by the Longshoreman’s blow system. It looks like a job is calculated to take 22 hours. The longshoreman works 6 hours but then is off for 6 hours like on a ship, then returns to work for another rotation. The catch is that the 6 hours off is overtime pay. Is this why they are getting so much overtime because they are off? There was another clause where 2 days a month they can have a no show and still get paid ? I didn’t know any of this before they went on strike.
Never heard that phrase. It’s been a very long time since I ordered gangs, something may have changed.
As I remember it some specialties were 4 hour minimum others 8 hour. Several of the 8 hour minimum longshoremen, headers clerks and others would be ordered hour prior to the full gang, to plan & set the job up and stay over to complete paper work , stow cargo handling gear etc. They were OT hours.
If the ship was a short job say 5 hours was often better to work the gang through the meal hour and finish instead of going into another 4 hour minimum period.
The real pay multiplier was specific ship was a job. When finished a 2nd vessel same day later work start was a fresh job. With short jobs a man could be paid for two days work same day.
To the original question I never saw a gang take off for a period and be paid while waiting for a later start time same day same vessel. In the break bulk days full load ship 3-5 days unloading was not unusual. Many commodities needed the overnight break to clear the pier sheds etc & make room. Generally were not time sensitive were cost sensitive & the ship worked straight time days. Gang would leave come back next day and start again as if it was a fresh ship. No pay for the overnight break
I have never heard the term “Blow System”, is that an offering at the Orchard Towers?
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There are different work rules port to port, not just US but around the world. My experience with ILA East and Gulf is they show up on time are good at handling cargo and keep the vessels moving. It’s also true there are periods when the job is done, the ship sails, longshoreman are on the payroll until the contracted period is finished.
The alternative, cut pay off as soon as the job is done no consistent work force won’t give us quality workers. Have seen this in third world ports and it’s not a better solution for the ship or cargo.
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