West Coast Longshoremen Find An Ally

LA Times:

The union representing West Coast dockworkers has formed an alliance with pilots who guide ships through the Panama Canal, a link-up that could boost the bargaining power of both unions.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union represents workers in the U.S. and Canada, including 50,000 longshore and other workers on the West Coast. The union has been concerned about the potential loss of cargo, jobs and collective bargaining power that could occur when the Panama Canal expansion opens in 2014.

The affiliation between the two unions strengthens labor's hand because the two organizations would honor each other's job actions, the unions said.

Harley Shaiken, a UC Berkeley professor specializing in labor issues, described the alliance as "a 'wow' moment" that could greatly increase the collective bargaining power of both unions.

Interesting.  With the recent dispute at Longview, Washington, it looks like the ILWU is preparing for battle.