A three-judge federal appellate panel ruled 2-1 Friday in favor of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) in an appeal over whether Charleston union workers or a blend of state and union workers should handle cargo at the new $1 billion Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston. The case is receiving national attention.
In denying the state’s appeal by the S.C. State Ports Authority, the court preserved the right for union dockworkers to staff every job at the new container terminal under its master contract. But the legal fracas may not be over as GOP Gov. Henry McMaster says he continues to support sending the case to the U.S. Supreme Court for another appeal.
“The labor dispute began when the ILA sued the United States Maritime Alliance for sending shipping lines to Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal shortly after the completion of its first phase two years ago,” the Associated Press reported. “The union alleged the move violated the terms of a master contract prohibiting the use of newly constructed terminals where ILA dockworkers do not perform all unloading tasks.”
The expensive new terminal has mostly been idle as the lawsuit dragged on.
According to a Reuters report, the port used nonunion employees at the new terminal in March 2021 which led to the lawsuit over the union’s collective bargaining agreement. The port then filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, which led to a December 2022 ruling that sided with the union. The ports authority then appealed, which led to Friday’s decision.
In other news over the past week:
McMaster presses for stricter illegal gun penalties. S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster this week warned S.C. lawmakers that dangerous consequences could follow if they fail to enact stronger penalties on people who illegally possess guns.
Federal lawsuit looms over S.C. warehousing mentally ill. Advocates for South Carolinians with severe mental illness say a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice could prompt needed change to the state’s health care system.
New statewide boating safety education requirement takes effect soon. A new boating safety education requirement takes effect in South Carolina next month for some of the state’s teens.
Trump faces new charges in documents case. Federal prosecutors this week alleged former President Donald Trump told a property manager that he wanted security camera footage at Mar-a-Lago to be deleted. Prosecutors added the new major accusations to the criminal indictment the former president faces on mishandling classified federal documents. The property manager also was added as a defendant in the superseding indictment. Meanwhile, an Associated Press story outlined how Trump, who once condemned Jan. 6 insurrectionists at the U.S. Capitol, is now supporting them.
Economy accelerates to a 2.4% rate across U.S. The U.S. economy surprisingly accelerated to a 2.4% annual growth rate from April through June, despite the repeated interest rates from the Federal Reserve. And this week, the Fed raised rates for the 11th time.
Unemployment in S.C. remained steady in June. South Carolina’s unemployment rate remained steady in June at 3.1%, according to data released July 21 by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.
Charleston Southern University picks new president. Charleston Southern University named B. Keith Faulkner as the school’s fourth president.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!