Dockworker fatality at California port

“According to reports, a longshore laborer fell to his death from the deck of a container ship at berth,” said the Port of Oakland. It added that the “fatal accident”, understood to have happened at night, is under investigation by local authorities.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union confirmed that the accident victim was one of its members. Longshore workers are hired by marine terminals to load and unload ships and move cargo containers.

The port said most marine terminals were closed on Tuesday 31 March for the annual holiday observing the life of late California labour leader Cesar Chavez.

“This is a tragedy that strikes everyone very deeply,” said Port of Oakland maritime director, John Driscoll. “The waterfront is a tightly knit community and if a member of that community succumbs, we all share the grief.”

The port pointed out that workers, including longshore labour, are continuing to work despite the shelter-in-place orders issued in the face of a coronavirus crisis. This is because the port has been designated as critical infrastructure during the crisis.