Joseph Miniace, president and chief executive of the Pacific Maritime Association, has drawn fire from the Longshoremen for shutting down the ports under the accusation of a union slowdown. Difficult words for Mr. Miniace, who has always prided himself on his strong ties and good working relationship with unions. Also known as an agent of change, Mr. Miniace believes the modernization of technology on the waterfront is essential for the industry and believes the longshoremen have been given bad information. Critics accuse him of bringing a harder bargaining stance and of engaging in tactics designed to bust the union.
See "Lightning Rod on the Seaports", Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, October 13, 2002