Disgruntled Matson Workers go on Strike

Mark Ellis — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:51:44 +0000

Many workers over the country have expressed their dissatisfaction with their employer’s terms through striking at one point or another, and now, a labor union for Matson Navigation Co. can add their name to the list. Matson is Hawaii’s biggest shipping company and the American Radio Association, the union representing radio officers on Matson ships, has called a strike.

Although the union has only called for a limited strike in Seattle, the proceedings have already taken their toll on Matson’s business. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which is involved with the American Radio Association, has workers that are in charge of unloading a Matson ship bound for Hawaii, but the strike will probably cause the ship to not get unloaded.

Right now, there are only pickets up in Seattle and it is unclear which other ports will be affected. Besides the ship that might not be unloaded, two other ships are in an uncertain position. What is certain is that the strike could eventually have dramatic effects on Matson, as every ship needs a set amount of people aboard before it can travel according to U.S. law.

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Disgruntled Matson Workers go on Strike