In a long-awaited decision – the judge first heard the labour-related case in July 2012 – William Schmidt decreed that union electricians – not dockers – are entitled to plug, unplug and monitor reefers.
The judge issued a recommended order that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and its locals stop slowdowns and work stoppages, and stop filing grievances and lawsuits against terminal operator ICTSI.
The decision is a boon for the operator, who has had the threat of a labour dispute hanging over it since the issue blew up last year.