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Work resumes on Panama Canal, but accord remains elusive

While workers building a third set of locks for the Panama Canal were back on the job Thursday after the European-led GUPC consortium ended a 15-day shutdown, the waterway’s administrator said the parties have yet to resolve the dispute that led to the suspension.
“We cannot say that that accord will happen,” canal administrator Jorge Quijano told the media late Thursday.
The ACP said Wednesday night that the consortium had agreed to resume work, although it added that some issues remained unresolved and were preventing the two sides from putting a definitive end to a dispute that dates back to Dec. 30.
More at the Latin American Herald Times

Dockworker’s hand crushed at Fremantle Port

Safety concerns for port workers have been raised after an incident where a worker was injured at Australia’s Fremantle Port on Friday.
The Maritime Union of Australia state secretary Christy Cain said the accident followed a Fair Work Commission decision which ordered workers at the terminal to increase their work rate.
“We have serious concerns about this industry putting profits before safety,” he said. “Our members do some very dangerous jobs. Waterside workers are 14 times more likely to be killed at work than the average worker, so their safety needs to be the main priority.”
Mr. Cain said this latest accident highlighted the need for the industry to introduce a National Stevedoring Code of Practice.
More at Western Australia Today

Evergreen joins CKYH alliance

Evergreen Line and the four members of the CKYH Alliance have agreed in principle to form a new alliance that will share ships on trades between Asia and North Europe and the Mediterranean.
The CKYHE alliance will comprise Cosco, “K” Line, Yang Ming, Hanjin and Evergeen. It plans to begin operations in mid-April with six joint services between Asia and North Europe and four loops dedicated to the Asia-Mediterranean route.
More at the Journal of Commerce

USA : Evan Soltas: As unions decline, workers need a voice

Source: Commercial Appeal

USA : Union defeat in Chattanooga could further spur efforts in Tuscaloosa County

Source: Tuscaloosa news

USA : UAW Files Grievance with NLRB Challenging Volkswagen Chattanooga Vote

Source: Automobile

USA : Labor leaders see focus on wages as key to union and Democratic victories

Source: NY Times

USA : City, IBEW reach contract pact Talks continue with UAW, AFSCME

Source: Herald Bulletin

USA : Bid to alter NLRB rules spurs fight over unionization

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette