Bill Overview
Title: PLUS Act of 2022
Description: of 2022 This bill makes it unlawful for a labor organization or its agents while representing, or seeking to represent, employees engaged in maritime employment to engage in a labor slowdown at any time, including when a collective-bargaining agreement is in effect. It also prohibits a labor organization from impeding (1) modernization efforts at a port, or (2) the servicing of any automated vessel. The bill allows a party injured by such conduct to recover two times the amount of damages sustained and reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees.
Sponsors: Rep. Budd, Ted [R-NC-13]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals engaged in maritime employment worldwide
Estimated Size: 75000
- The bill specifically targets labor organizations representing maritime employees, so it will directly impact individuals engaged in maritime employment.
- According to the International Labour Organization, maritime workers include seafarers, dock workers, and others with a role in the shipping and ports industry, which is a substantial global workforce.
- The bill's provisions on preventing labor slowdowns and modernization efforts suggest an impact on maritime employees who are part of unions or considering unionization.
- Automation in ports is a global trend, and employees affected by modernization processes include dock workers globally, not just in the U.S.
- The International Transport Workers' Federation represents about 1.5 million seafaring and dock workers globally. This gives an indication of the potential scale, though not all are involved with U.S. ports or will directly face union slowdown policies.
Reasoning
- Given the policy's focus on maritime labor, the affected individuals are primarily unionized maritime workers, including dockworkers and longshoremen, estimated at 75,000 in the U.S.
- The policy's impact may vary from none to high depending on individuals' roles, locations, and union activities.
- Those directly involved in unions might see medium to high impact, especially in cases where union activity, like slowdowns, is a common strategy.
- Automation and modernization provisions could lead to long-term shifts in job roles, impacting wellbeing over a more extended period.
- People not in maritime employment or not unionized (or in non-impacted areas) may see little to no impact, reflecting in their wellbeing scores.
- The sample should include a mix of direct, indirect, and non-affected populations to provide a balanced view.
Simulated Interviews
longshoreman (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the need for efficiency at ports, but I worry this policy might make it hard for us to negotiate work conditions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
maritime lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Clarity in what’s legal during negotiations might be good, but it could reduce leverage for unions, affecting employment cases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
port manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act can streamline operations, which is crucial for competitiveness, but I understand it may concern union workers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
dock worker (Norfolk, VA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy feels like it reduces our power against big companies, especially if they push automation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
unemployed seafarer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see automation as a threat to traditional jobs, but the market's moving that way, so retraining is my option.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
union organizer (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy dramatically changes how we fight for workers' rights and limits critical negotiation tools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
shipping company executive (Miami, FL)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy helps improve operations by reducing potential disruptions due to slowdowns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
retired port worker (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about the future for workers—this act changes the power dynamic significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
seafarer (Boston, MA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If done right, modernization can secure future jobs but needs balanced worker support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
IT specialist at port (Jacksonville, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Modernizing ports is essential for competitiveness. This policy seems to untangle slower processes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $21000000 (Low: $16000000, High: $26000000)
Year 3: $21500000 (Low: $16500000, High: $26500000)
Year 5: $22000000 (Low: $17000000, High: $27000000)
Year 10: $23000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $28000000)
Year 100: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Key Considerations
- The balance between encouraging port automation and protecting workers' rights will be critical.
- Potential opposition from labor unions might lead to legislative challenges or modifications.
- Implementation costs for monitoring might be offset by savings from increased efficiency and reduced disruptions.