The arriving transport ships are met by 150 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1291, who drive factory-new autos to four lots near the waterfront.
From there, 180 Teamster laborers take over fueling, washing, adding accessories, and a final inspection before the cars are loaded onto trucks headed to showrooms.
This month, a labor dispute threatened to derail the car deal, but it was ironed out after top brass from the Teamsters International and the Longshoremen’s Association in New York conferred.
The issue was jurisdiction and turf. Local 1291 traditionally has handled all work at an old distillery lot, known as “Publicker,” next to the Delaware River.