East and Gulf Coast port strike ends as union agrees tentative deal with shippers – National & International News – THU 3Oct2024

East and Gulf Coast port strike ends as union agrees tentative deal with shippers. 

Update in case of Kentucky sheriff accused of murdering judge.

East and Gulf Coast port strike ends as union agrees tentative deal with shippers 

The International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) strike, which began on October 1, is at an end, for now. This is a welcome reprieve as many supply chain experts and economists feared that a prolonged strike of dock workers at the East and Gulf Coast ports of the US could worsen inflation and lead to shortages of some key goods. 

ILA president Harold Daggett was looking for a 77% pay increase for his members over the life of the six-year contract. He was also seeking guarantees against the expansion of automation, which has already cost hundreds of ILA jobs in recent years. The ILA has not reached a finalized deal with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents foreign-owned shipping lines as well as US terminal operators. However, according to reports, port operators offered members a 62% pay increase. This olive branch was enough to get the ILA back to the negotiating table and end the strike, pending a contract agreement. 

The union has agreed to extend their previous contract, which expired on October 1, until January 15. In the meantime, ILA and USMX will continue hammering out a deal. That deal must then be ratified in a vote by rank-and-file ILA members. If the rank-and-file does not approve a tentative contract, the strike could potentially resume. 

While the worst potential fallout from the strike has likely been averted, the effect of a 3-day shutdown at some of America’s busiest ports has already been immense. For every day a port is shut down, it will take about a week on the job for workers to unload and process the backlogged cargo. Additionally, many thousands of containers have already been rerouted away from their original destination ports, and this will take time to sort out. 

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Update in case of Kentucky sheriff accused of murdering judge 

Last month, Letcher Co. (KY) Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines shot local District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times, killing him. That fact is not in dispute, even by Stines’ defense counsel. The incident took place in Mullins’ chambers at the courthouse and was captured on video. Footage of the shooting was played in court earlier this week. 

News of the shooting rocked the rural Appalachian community. Mullins particularly well-loved and mourned in the community. Following the shooting, Stines stepped down as Letcher County Sheriff. A pre-trial hearing took place this week and a judge ruled there was sufficient probable cause to proceed to trial. 

State prosecutors are seeking an indictment against Stines for first degree murder. If convicted, a death sentence is possible. Stines’ attorney disputes the murder charge, saying that prosecutors “established probable cause for manslaughter first [degree], but not murder”. Defense council claims that Stines experienced “extreme emotional disturbance” when he fatally shot Mullins. 

Neither the prosecution, nor the defense, has elaborated on the nature of the “emotional disturbance”, nor offered any motive in the case. 

Speculation on a personal motive

Days before the shooting, Stines was deposed in a federal lawsuit in which he is a defendant. The suit alleges that Stines and a private prison company improperly supervised a deputy who forced female prisoners to have sex with him. Some of these rapes occurred at the courthouse itself, in Mullins’ own chambers. It is not clear whether Mullins had any other connection to the alleged misconduct or the lawsuit, or whether this played any part in the shooting. However, the prior misconduct probably does explain the presence of video cameras rolling in Judge Mullins’ chambers, which is highly unusual.

Testimony earlier this week suggests a motive closer to home. Kentucky State Police Det. Clayton Stamper testified in a pre-trial hearing that on the day of the shooting, Sheriff Stines and Judge Mullins had eaten lunch together with a group of people. None of those present noted any angry exchanges between the two. However, Mullins did ask Stines at one point if Stines wanted to meet privately in his chambers. 

Det. Stamper said that portions of the courthouse video not shown in court recorded what led up to the shooting. Sheriff Stines attempts unsuccessfully to call his daughter using his own cell phone. He then asks to see Mullins’ cell phone, and Mullins complies. Stines then uses Mullins’ phone to call Stines’ daughter, whose number was on the judge’s phone. Seconds after making this call, Stines began shooting Mullins. Stamper confirmed that Judge Mullins’ phone had previously been used to call Stines’ daughter’s cell phone.

On the stand, Stamper also explained that an officer present at Stines’ surrender heard Stines comment, “they’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid”.

It’s easy to jump to conclusions with this set of facts and so little other information. There are conflicting rumors online with little or no credibility. No one has alleged any inappropriate contact between Judge Mullins and Stines’ daughter. The fact that the daughter apparently did not answer Stines’ call from his phone may also be suggestive. It’s not clear if the daughter answered the call from Mullins’ phone. More details will probably come to light at trial.

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