Which Union Jobs Are They Talking About?

Maybe you found it annoying to hear union members back the Port Authority’s proposed toll hikes, arguing that more toll revenue would lead to more construction jobs on PA capital projects:

The union members, mostly from Labor International Union North America (LiUNA) were in favor of the hike, saying the capital work it will fund will mean safer bridges and good middle-class jobs for the people in their unions.

. . .

The morning meeting was held in a tricky-to-find building at the New York Container Terminal, a spot on a lonely, industrial road marked by a few signs that said “public hearing” and a police car’s flashing lights. The room had about 80 seats, more than half of them taken by union members who had arrived early decked out in bright orange shirts that said “Port Authority = Jobs.”

The last time I remember union members advocating for some controversial plan, it didn’t end so well.

And as for jobs, now there’s this:

APL Limited has opted out of renewing its lease and will vacate the New York Container Terminal in Mariners Harbor next July over space considerations and the prospect of ongoing toll hikes on PA bridges, Terminal CEO Jim Devine said.

. . .

He said current bridge tolls and the threat of hikes were “a contributing factor.” Devine said doing business here, as opposed to in New Jersey, runs an average truck $100 more per trip to Mariners Harbor, depending on the number of axles, which are factored into the toll cost.

Tolls was the sole reason Turkon America Line left NYCT in 2009, Devine said. Turkon, which relocated to New Jersey, “continually brought up the toll,” he added.