News / Automation and safety are developing issues for unions

Tianjin Port explosion in 2015. Credit Eristic-霖璟

The proliferation of automated terminals around the globe are seeing union pushback, not just because of the loss of jobs, but also because they pose new challenges around safety, according to one union chief.

Speaking exclusively to The Loadstar, president of the International Longshore Workers Union (ILWU) in Canada Rob Ashton said the equipment used on automated terminals all used lithium-ion batteries stored close to operational areas.

“With the amount of batteries this equipment uses it is only a matter of time ...