More than 100 used cars being stored at the State Pier in New Bedford were supposed to be loaded onto a cargo ship Friday, but instead the cars remained on the pier.

It was thought non-union workers would be brought in to load the ship, but that didn't happen on Friday.

Members of Local 1413 of the International Longshoreman's Assocation set up a picket line on Wednesday, saying the work should be going to them, and not non-union workers. Local President Ed Lacombe says a representative of the cargo ship spoke with him about doing the job, but when he brought up issues like prevailing wage, workmen's comp and contributions to the I-L-A pension, the discussion quickly ended.

Jim Phillips TSN
Jim Phillips TSN
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Lacombe says he's cancelled picketing for the weekend. "Of course, if they see any activity, they'll resume picketing immediately, but if there is no activity there's no reason for them to stay there on a holiday weekend," said Lacombe.

Lacombe says work at the State Pier has gone to I-L-A members for years, and this job shouldn't be any different. He says the stalemate could go on for awhile.

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