In the wake of the catastrophic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on March 26th, state funds are now flowing to the longshoremen whose livelihoods were upended. However, the financial assistance falls far short of their typical earnings, leaving many workers struggling to make ends meet.
Workers Comment at the International Longshoremen’s Association
At the International Longshoremen’s Association Local No. 333, a steady stream of over 1,800 union members visit weekly to complete the necessary paperwork and seek guidance to access the available aid. One such worker, Lakia Randolph, a driver responsible for moving vehicles on and off ships, received the fateful call around 4:45 a.m. on the day of the collapse. Even as the shock subsided, the looming financial uncertainty weighed heavily.
“It’s pretty hard,” Randolph admitted. “You are going to worry about how you are going to pay your bills.”
In a display of solidarity, Randolph highlighted the support network among her colleagues. “We help each other out for as long as we can with donations, like food drives for people, and we’ve helped out with that.”
Fellow longshoreman Jeff Vogel finds himself unable to return to work until larger container ships are permitted back into the Port of Baltimore. In the interim, he relies on unemployment benefits and the state aid program, but the assistance pales in comparison to his regular income.
“It’s extremely difficult. It’s a lot of sleepless nights and worrying. My wife does work, so it’s not like we are not going to eat,” Vogel confided.
Recounting his experience on the cargo ship Dali, where he was securing containers before the vessel’s departure, Vogel expressed disbelief at the bridge’s collapse. “It’s like watching a movie we had to watch eight to 10 times to even believe it,” he said.
According to state labor officials, over 2,200 individuals have applied for the worker support program, which aids W-2 employees and independent contractors like truckers. Nearly $1 million in payments have been disbursed, and 158 businesses have been approved for $10.5 million in grants designed to retain 1,731 employees on payrolls.
Despite the relief efforts, the financial assistance falls painfully short for workers like Vogel. “It doesn’t compare,” he lamented.
“I have three kids in private high school. So, my wife and I are going to struggle until I get back to work.”
Uncertain Path to Normalcy
While temporary channels have allowed some 300 longshoremen to continue working, the path to restoring normalcy remains uncertain. “Ships have made scheduling to go elsewhere, so to get them back on their Baltimore schedule could take months. Who knows?” Vogel pondered.
As the longshoremen navigate this unprecedented challenge, the state’s aid offers a lifeline, but the true road to recovery lies in the eventual restoration of their lifeline – the Port of Baltimore.
