From Newsgroup: alt.atheism

After 250 days of picketing, port workers in Chicago are beginning to
see a breakthrough. Processing 700 million tons of cargo each year is a serious effort that requires maintenance.

The North American Stevedoring Company, operated by Quebec Stevedoring
(QSL), is responsible for the three landings in the Chicago area - Lake Calumet, Iroquois Landing, and Harborside.

The strike began as a serious grassroots effort when members of a union
of operating engineers - the IUOE - began to visit Iroquois Landing. It
has since sought new representation with the International
Longshoremen's Association, the largest and most well-provisioned
port-workers union in North America.

"Honestly, I would say between 70rCo80 percent of the machines that we
have here [need serious maintenance]: tires that were severely worn down
- brakes that didn't work at all - lighting that was just below standard
- machines that have no horns; machines that are used to lift anywhere
between 10,000 to 60,000 pounds" a local union member said. "We want
[QSL] to understand that as we arrive with 10 toes, 10 fingers, that's
how we want to go to our families at the end of the day."

Calumet is the largest of the three landings, maintained by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers under the authority of the Illinois Port
District. A modern feat of engineering, it - along with the Joliet
Intermodal - serves as a vital hub with flexible connections to Los
Angeles and Houston.

QSL claims OSHA Compliance and has submitted evidence to the DOJ
refuting all claims related to labor practices.

QSL refused to comment on the maintenance status of the machines at the
port.
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