The career of a dockworker. (Up Front).

The Application Process

When the Pacific Maritime Association, the ship companies bargaining arm, looks for more labor to man the docks, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union asks the California Employment Development Department to issue a call for "casual" laborer applications, the apprenticeship for longshoremen. The process generally takes place once every year to a few years, depending on how busy a port is. Applicants fill out postcards that are dumped into a barrel and drawn, one-by-one, for the positions, Interviews, physical exams and drug tests are given to those in the order their card was picked.

Becoming a Casual

Casual laborers chosen by the union are given an orientation, issued identification cards and paid to train for a day each in dock safety and "lashing courses. Lashing, the most basic, unskilled dock chore, entails placing metal bars through holes in the corners of containers to secure them in stacks up to eight high and bolting the stack to the ship deck with giant buckles. These laborers, who are not union members and are initially classified as Un-IDs, or unidentified casuals, must show up at dispatch halls to get assigned work. It's not guaranteed; union members have first crack at all jobs, and casuals might show up everyday for weeks before getting work. Casuals receive no health, pension and vacation benefits. Their pay starts at $19.94 per hour and increases by $1 per hour after accumulating 1,000 hours. Casuals at LA. and Long Beach often work three or four days per week.

The First Promotion

The PMA decides on when promotions from Un-ID status to ID, or identified casual status, are given to casual laborers. Generally, workers with the most Un-ID hours under their belts receive promotions. The only real benefit to this status is that IDs will be given-work before Un-IDs.

Joining the Union

As cargo traffic and on-the-job injuries increase and/or longshoremen retire, the PMA periodically agrees to hire more ID casuals into the union. The process is called "getting your hook," and availability depends on the size of the port, with employer rolls opening up annually at L.A. and Long Beach. Small ports, however, haven't made such promotions in three decades. Casuals are given B-member status, which means they are limited registered employees of the PMA and probationary members of the ILWU. But they are entitled to partial benefits if they worked 800 hours within the last year and full benefits for 1,300 hours. Full perks include $42,000 per person per year worth of medical benefits, a pension and at least two weeks vacation annually. They get a week of skilled labor training, which qualifies them for a 20 percent increase in base pay for days they operate light equipment, such as small lifts and tractors. B-members pay union dues of about $135 per month.

Full Status

Obtaining A-member, or full union status, requires at least 800 hours of B-member work, which generally takes two to four years.

ILWU and PMA leaders each have an equal say in who gets promoted, with the union making its choices based on seniority while the PMA takes into account workers' safety records, grievance histories and previous availability. A joint local arbitrator has the ultimate say if the union appeals a no-vote from the PMA on workers.

Pay rates and benefits are the same-for A- and B-members after B-members achieve 4,000 hours of work. But A-members get first pick of all long-shore work and they get to choose the most skilled and best-paid assignments--such cranes. Full members make an average of $106,833 annually with overtime and get six weeks vacation after working 25 years. They pay up to $187 per month in dues.

Becoming a Maritime Clerk

Longshoremen can apply to become maritime clerks, the workers who identify, monitor and direct the movement of cargo. Clerk positions are filled based on seniority, with most longshoremen working on the docks 10 to 12 years before they are considered. Half of the clerks filling the open positions are chosen by the PMA and half are chosen by the union.

Average annual pay for this position is $128,421, including overtime. The PMA and ILWU get to number of workers to fill choose an equal open clerk positions. All prospective clerks must pass proficiency tests in computer skills, math, retention of container numbers and tracking cargo. The only way a B-member longshoreman can become a clerk is if his father holding that position dies the docks.

Becoming a Foreman

Foreman or the so-called "walking bosses" who oversee all cargo hauling operations are largely picked by the PMA, which relies heavily on input from terminal operators. Longshoremen can obtain these jobs without being clerks first. Foremen make an average of $166,508 annually. There is no minimum experience required.

Retirement

Most long-shore workers retire between age 62 and 65, although some work into their 80s because there is no mandatory retirement age.

Those who are old and/or suffer from nagging work-related injuries are often given less labor-intensive assignments, such as clerks or van drivers transporting workers around the docks. For each year employees work 1,300 hours, they qualify for a pension year. So if a worker earns the maximum 35 pension years, he would receive $3,325 per month in pension.