Miami port strike over
Source: Journal of Commerce On-Line
July 12, 2004
MIAMI -- Container traffic was moving normally at the Port of Miami Monday, just days after a federal judge ordered independent truckers to end their two-week strike.
U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Seitz issued a temporary restraining
order Friday, saying the port, Miami-Dade County and a private
terminal operator at the port would suffer "immediate and
irreparable injury, loss or damage" unless the striking
truck drivers were forced to stop the boycott.
The truckers began their work stoppage June 28 as part of a
nationwide strike by port truckers protesting high fuel prices
and working conditions. Since then, the Miami port said it has
lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees and as of Friday,
nine loaded vessels were diverted to other ports.
On Monday morning, container traffic at the Port of Miami Terminal
Operating Co., Universal Maritime Services, and Seaboard terminals
was moving steadily. It was unclear how long it would take to
clear the backlog of containers, which were piled four- and
five-high.
Despite vows by drivers to continue the strike, there were no
protestors at the entrance to the port.
Seitz is scheduled to hear the motion for a preliminary injunction
against the truck drivers on Thursday. The county, port and
Universal Maritime argued that, as independent contractors and
nonunion members, the truck drivers were violating antitrust
law by conspiring to obstruct trade.



