Global Supply Chains, Organizing and Automation

Commodity chains have stretched production to all corners of the planet, yet the COVID pandemic has exposed the weaknesses and vulnerabilities — and even breakdown — of this “lean” system, based on just-in-time inventory-less production.

In January of this year, 109 ships were anchored out, waiting to dock at the massive Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex. This congestion has caused inflation and driven up prices for consumer goods by as much as 10%, as well as leading to mass shortages. Management’s solution to the crisis is automation and robotics, a crucial issue in current contract negotiations between longshore workers in ILWU and the PMA (Pacific Maritime Association, representing bosses), as these technological changes will eliminate jobs.

This presentation will discuss how the crisis affects the working class globally, as well giving historical background and specific details of logistic worker struggles, in sectors like maritime, longshoring, trucking, railroads, warehousing, last-mile delivery and logistics planning. It will be followed by an open discussion.

Presenters include:
Gifford Hartman – Global Supply Chain Study/Research Group and Global Labour University

Carey Dall – Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees—International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED-IBT) & International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)

Joel Schor – Member Sailors Union of the Pacific and Partially Registered ILWU local 10

Aaron Wright – ILWU local 10 Business Agent