Port's blockbuster deal with Hanjin in trouble, Korean company ready to nix Jax

[ralpho37]

Enlighten me if I'm wrong, but I thought the city has been very hard at work trying to get this deal together.  Why, then this quote from the article...

“Although we understand these things always take time, I think you will agree this project has been pushed aside long enough,” Choi wrote. “With thousands of new jobs and millions in revenue at stake, Hanjin Shipping expected much more support from both JaxPort and the city of Jacksonville. Despite our best efforts to make a Hanjin terminal in Jacksonville a reality, I’m afraid Hanjin Shipping will no longer be able to spend any more time or resources on this venture.”

So what's the story?  Is it labor issues or did the city give them the cold shoulder?  (Neither of which would really surprise me).  Either way, it sounds like Hanjin is done with us and this thing is over and done with.

[downtownjag]

IMO, sometimes a deal has to fall apart a few times before it works itself out, this could be a good sign!  If, in fact, Hanjin and the labor union are at odds; they may both realize with the deal gone and off the table that any deal would be better than no deal.   

[Johnny]

Not so sure about that, downtown. Technically, Hanjin doesn't have to expect any deal to be better than no deal as they can get a deal done somewhere else. Also, in working with Asian countries in the past, I have found they typically do what they say and tend to be pretty stubborn to change their mind (regardless of which side is wrong). If a deal is removed from the table, it's going to take a lot of effort on the other parties part to get it back on the table. Good luck to Jax on getting it, but based on Choi's letter (what is listed in the article at least) I think as a city we are screwed on this one.

[Steve]

Lake - You are a muckraker, when you want to be.

Of all people on this site to call a muckraker.  Wow.

Back on topic, this is hopefully where the Port behind closed doors is trying to get folks in line.  We can't let this slip away for what is basically infighting.

[CS Foltz]

Not sure just what the problem is but usually the Asiatic side is pretty blunt and up front! They don't play games or posture so off the top of my head...........problem is at the Jaxport end of things! Wether or not it is the Union or the City, someone had better got on this before we have a Port Facility with no business!

[urbanlibertarian]

From Wikipedia: "A muckraker seeks to expose corruption of businesses or government to the public."

So, it's a compliment.

[mtraininjax]

So, it's a compliment.

Exactly. We now resume regularly scheduled programing.....

[Dog Walker]

The Longshoreman's Union has had an uncanny ability to shoot itself in the head since the beginning of containerization.  Their motto seems to be "better no jobs at all than any adjustments in our work rules."  The leadership may just be holding out for bigger bribes.

[CS Foltz]

Dog Walker.............you may have just nailed what the issue is! Asiatic side of the world is all about honor and commitment based upon agreed dealings. The concept of bribes is not old world day to day op's by their standards and Jaxport will suffer because of a select few! Ferrin had better tighten up the ship or Jacksonville can kiss that possibility goodby!

[mtraininjax]

Ferrin had better tighten up the ship or Jacksonville can kiss that possibility goodby!

How is Rick Ferrin supposed to control the union? Throw all the bums out? I'm sure he'd love to, but I don't think he can do so.

Why doesn't Hanjin just build their own terminal, hire their own people, and control the entire process themselves, sorry Rick, and not deal at all with JPA? That would be some serious Union Busting, and it would give the news stations something to do.

[buckethead]

Do the Longshoremen have a contract forbidding any non-union workers from being utilized as any port authority employee?

Poorly worded. Can non-union workers be hired to work within the port, other than outside drivers?

[Dog Walker]

Do the longshoremen have some sort of status under Federal law like the Railroad engineers did?  If my murky memory serves I seem to remember some unions who were considered to be in interstate commerce came under Federal rather than State laws.

Does anyone have good information on this?

[mtraininjax]

Mayor John Peyton is optimistic Hanjin and the International Longshoremen's Association can reach agreement on labor issues for Hanjin's planned terminal in Jacksonville, mayoral spokeswoman Misty Skipper said Thursday.

When the Mayor speaks, does anyone listen? In case anyone wants to ask him a tough question, he will be at the opening of the Christmas celebration at the prime osborn tomorrow morning, great event, have enough toys for 9000 kids.

[heights unknown]

Here we go again.  Peyton, STEP UP or STEP DOWN!  And yes the Mayor should STEP IN in situations such as this.  Are we just going to quietly let this tremendous opportunity slip away and watch Port Canaveral, or Savannah, or Tampa, or Port Everglades get this venture?  Jax needs a spanking if this one gets away!

Next thing we know we'll wake up one morning and the Jaguars will be in LA.

"HU"

[Ocklawaha]

Ferrin had better tighten up the ship or Jacksonville can kiss that possibility goodby!

How is Rick Ferrin supposed to control the union? Throw all the bums out? I'm sure he'd love to, but I don't think he can do so.

Why doesn't Hanjin just build their own terminal, hire their own people, and control the entire process themselves, sorry Rick, and not deal at all with JPA? That would be some serious Union Busting, and it would give the news stations something to do.

Peyton spent last night with a close circle of JPA officials, at a seaonce in the Spiritual Lighthouse Church on Crestwood, just west of Norwood Avenue. They reportedly worked for hour's trying to revive the spirit of the late Ed Ball, to get his advice on handling the unions. No word yet on how well this turned out.

OCKLAWAHA