The following text was prepared by Gerry Becerra for the

AFL-CIO/ITF Central American Port Privatization Project.

(Note by ITF Dockers' Section Secretary Kees Marges: the text describes the functioning of the hiring hall for clerks and checkers. The hiring hall for terminal workers functions differently, but follows the same principles. The most important difference is that workers need to report to the hiring hall and are not called at home.)

Operation of Hiring Hall

By Gerardo Becerra, ILA Official in Miami

November 2000

Description:

The Hiring hall or "Shape", as it is commonly called, is the process or method by which the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) Locals designate or place workers to required jobs. It is used primarily to allocate workers to positions where their employment is not required everyday. The hiring hall has evolved over the years and has been perfected to meet the requirements raised by the shipping industry. In essence, the purposes of the shape are to efficiently staff and meet varying workload requirements while simultaneously distributing the work in an equitable manner amongst the membership of the local. The operating procedures of the hiring hall described below apply specifically to the clerks and checkers ILA local 1922. Most ILA locals use the same basic procedures.

Operation:

There are constant positions where daily work assignments are not required, steady workers who do not report to the hiring hall fill these jobs. However, the hours worked by these steady employees are also tracked for the purpose of qualification for benefits and insurance.

The Hiring Hall for variable job requirements operates in the following manner:

1) Determine number of jobs or positions to be filled.

a. The chief clerks call in labor orders for the following day and report

previous day's hours for each worker.

i) Orders are called in each day no later that 1500 hrs. (3:00PM).

ii) Orders for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning are called in on Friday.

iii) Chief clerk describes type of work to be performed be each worker. A

typical work order includes timekeepers, planning clerks, shipside

checkers, field checkers, warehouse checkers, etc.

2) Hiring Hall compiles all work requirements from all chief clerks. Once

the total requirements for the port has been determined the jobs can be

distributed amongst the members of the local Several criteria are used to

determine who will fill each position:

a. Worker's ability to perform depending on:

i) Physical demands of Job

ii) Training or skill level of the employee

iii) Familiarity with job

b. Number of hours already worked

i) An attempt is made to distribute work fairly and evenly

ii) Some members may require additional hours to qualify for benefits

c. Workers need for rest or individual level of fatigue

i) Ship checkers may have worked through the night or too many consecutive

hours

ii) Some workers may have requested time off

3) Work assignments are communicated to members.

a. Typically each person is called at home

b. Worker can be notified at current job of the work assignment for next day

c. A few additional workers may be asked to report to the "Shape" to cover

any unforeseen events such as;

i) A ship may work later that expected

ii) Workers becoming ill or experiencing car trouble

4) Hours for all workers are recorded at the Hiring Hall

a. For comparison and equitable distribution of work

b. Verification of hours reported by employer for insurance purposes and

other employer contributions

c. Eligibility of worker for benefits and retirement