Mike Hennessy (pictured above)
Shop steward, Great Kills
How’s the work been lately?
We’re getting hammered here. My guys can’t get a day off. But there isn’t a backlog like there is on the West Coast. We’re processing everything on time. There, I think the problem is getting enough men to work as well as a lack of space and a lack of chassis. But, you know, we’re right on the cusp of having a chassis shortage here too.
How long have you been on this dock?
Thirty-eight years. I started working with my father when I was 17. My three nephews are down here now too. They’re fourth generation on the docks; I’m third.
What has kept the whole family in the industry?
Listen, the money here is astronomical. I don’t even want to quote the salaries, but some of us are making what doctors are making—I’m not exaggerating. There are men on the waterfront who are making $250,000 a year, and that’s low. Because the salary is limitless. You can pretty much make whatever you want if you’re able to work 24/7. And some guys do.
Anthony Vesce
Assistant foreman, Florham Park, New Jersey
What kinds of things go wrong?
Lots, especially in the winter, when ice and snow break the cranes. But most recently, the crane operator got the festoon — a series of cables — tangled up. So we’re in the middle of pulling apart 1,000 feet of electrical cables right now. No one gets angry at anyone, though — it’s kind of a “Shit happens” thing.
Jerome McCain
Longshoreman, Graniteville
Fernando Ferreira
Welder-mechanic, Newark, New Jersey
Percell Dixon
Longshoreman, Graniteville
Glenn Goodwin
Longshoreman, Dongan Hills
Gladys Garcia
Longshoreman, Tompkinsville
What did you think of the job at first?
Tough. I had to learn how to back up these 40-foot reefers, the containers that store cold food. The first time, I started crying. I was like, I’m leaving this job! One of the bosses, God bless him, was just like, “Don’t worry. I’ll help you. You’re not going anywhere.”
Gaetano Grillo
Maintenance foreman, Huguenot
Are people out sick?
Right now, around 11 maintenance personnel, not including guys who are doing cargo. But we have to keep going. We can’t stop the supply chain — especially because, sure, some of those containers have pencils, but some have diapers and medical supplies.
Frank Cinque
Crane mechanic, Annadale
Angelo Rivera Jr.
Assistant foreman, Eltingville
Charles Carollo
Chief delivery clerk, Manalapan Township, New Jersey
Frank Ferrara
Longshoreman, Bulls Head
Steven Warnock
Chief customer-service clerk, Graniteville
Do people misunderstand the supply-chain situation?
Yes, they read in the papers that it’s on us, but the longshoremen are actually working more efficiently than ever. If a ship comes at 11 at night, things start at 11. And we work until it’s finished. People just don’t get what goes into getting things to their door.
Mario Trejo
Longshoreman, Fort Greene
Where else have you worked?
I served 12 years in the Marines. When I got here, it was that “Welcome to the family” feeling again. Everybody has the mind-set that if you’re a Democrat, Republican, you can speak your mind today and tomorrow you’ll all be having a cup of coffee together.
Giancarlo Barrera
Maintenance-and-repair worker, Rossville
Robert Sher
Mechanic, Westerleigh
Salvatore Cipriati
Longshoreman, Freehold, New Jersey
Rashidah Dixon
Longshoreman, Graniteville
Stephen Bracco
Dock boss, Annadale
Anthony Vesce
Assistant foreman, Florham Park, New Jersey
What kinds of things go wrong?
Lots, especially in the winter, when ice and snow break the cranes. But most recently, the crane operator got the festoon — a series of cables — tangled up. So we’re in the middle of pulling apart 1,000 feet of electrical cables right now. No one gets angry at anyone, though — it’s kind of a “Shit happens” thing.
Jerome McCain
Longshoreman, Graniteville
Fernando Ferreira
Welder-mechanic, Newark, New Jersey
Percell Dixon
Longshoreman, Graniteville
Glenn Goodwin
Longshoreman, Dongan Hills
Gladys Garcia
Longshoreman, Tompkinsville
What did you think of the job at first?
Tough. I had to learn how to back up these 40-foot reefers, the containers that store cold food. The first time, I started crying. I was like, I’m leaving this job! One of the bosses, God bless him, was just like, “Don’t worry. I’ll help you. You’re not going anywhere.”
Gaetano Grillo
Maintenance foreman, Huguenot
Are people out sick?
Right now, around 11 maintenance personnel, not including guys who are doing cargo. But we have to keep going. We can’t stop the supply chain — especially because, sure, some of those containers have pencils, but some have diapers and medical supplies.
Frank Cinque
Crane mechanic, Annadale
Angelo Rivera Jr.
Assistant foreman, Eltingville
Charles Carollo
Chief delivery clerk, Manalapan Township, New Jersey
Frank Ferrara
Longshoreman, Bulls Head
Steven Warnock
Chief customer-service clerk, Graniteville
Do people misunderstand the supply-chain situation?
Yes, they read in the papers that it’s on us, but the longshoremen are actually working more efficiently than ever. If a ship comes at 11 at night, things start at 11. And we work until it’s finished. People just don’t get what goes into getting things to their door.
Mario Trejo
Longshoreman, Fort Greene
Where else have you worked?
I served 12 years in the Marines. When I got here, it was that “Welcome to the family” feeling again. Everybody has the mind-set that if you’re a Democrat, Republican, you can speak your mind today and tomorrow you’ll all be having a cup of coffee together.
Giancarlo Barrera
Maintenance-and-repair worker, Rossville
Robert Sher
Mechanic, Westerleigh
Salvatore Cipriati
Longshoreman, Freehold, New Jersey
Rashidah Dixon
Longshoreman, Graniteville
Stephen Bracco
Dock boss, Annadale
More From This Series
- The Look Book Goes to ¡VAYA! Dance Night at Lincoln Center
- The Look Book Goes to the Armory Show Opening Party
- The Look Book Goes to a White-Coat Ceremony