News / Union sues Virginia Port Authority over new semi-automated cranes

Port of Virginia © Calvin Leake

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has filed a lawsuit accusing Virginia Port Authority (VPA) and its CEO of introducing new automated technology without consulting the union. 

The ILA claims that its October 2024 master contract, which runs to September 2030, was signed by Virginia International Terminals (VIT), the employers’ organisation working on behalf of VPA, which was not allowed to negotiate on the contract. 

Noting “contentious” negotiations around the contract, the ILA claimed that “VIT’s argument during contract negotiations in favour of automation and against workplace protection was at the behest of defendants VPA … and defendant [Stephen] Edwards”, despite VPA not being party to the negotiations. 

Nevertheless, VIT lost its argument in favour of automation, with the contract stating: “No new technology will be implemented until the parties mutually agree to manning levels and workforce protections.”

However, in April this year, new semi-automated gantry cranes were installed in the North Berth of the Norfolk International Terminal. The authority ordered 36 cranes, to deliver through to 2027, to replace straddle carriers.

The ILA claimed “defendants VPA and Edwards are directing VIT to violate the terms of the master contract by implementing new technology without following the procedures that VIT is contractually obligated to follow”. 

When the ILA confronted VIT, it said the cranes had been bought by VPA, and it could not comply with the contract because VPA was installing the equipment. 

The ILA is calling for a permanent injunction to stop VPA from “interfering” with the master contract, which is “causing immediate and irreparable harm”, it said. 

The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, with VPA yet to respond.