10/6    http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/3347361.html
        Longshoremen and you!  Intro to feeling bad for the oppressed working
        class.
        \_ Minor bit of trivia, but the longshoremen's strike in SF ("On
           the Waterfront") is one of the major reasons why a lot of
           manufacturing and shipbuilding moved out of SF.  Too expensive,
           too regulated, too prone things like $100,000/year longshoremen
           striking, for better of worse.  -John
           \_ And here I thought it was because the railheads from LA and
              Seattle were faster and easier to traverse the country than
              they are from Oakland/SF and land was cheaper. Too bad they
              don't have those cheap workers in Seattle and LA.
           \_ It's funny but I heard this same one from my Dad. I suspect it's
              become the stuff of West Coast folk history even though it makes
              little sense. Think about it. Where did that stuff go? I haven't
              read up on it but the ILWU control every port on the West Coast.
              Had they not taken control of Seattle, Long Beach, Alameda and
              San Diego yet? Moreoever, this stuff (except for US military) all
              moved offshore.
              San Diego yet? This stuff (except for US military) all moved
              offshore in another decade or two anyways. Sure the ILWU resisted
              containers, but for how long? That's how the whole world works,
              now. The rail corridor/land cost explanation makes more sense.