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US West Coast Ports Busy, Struggling With Backlog
Most West Coast U.S. ports have been busy since Friday, when negotiators reached a tentative settlement in a nine-month labor dispute and work slowdown. Both sides say with the cargo moving again, they can focus on long-term problems.
Dozens of ships have been docked or waiting offshore at 29 West Coast ports, and port officials say it will take months to process all the cargo. Most dockworkers have returned to work, but must still vote on the tentative five-year contract.
U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez had increased pressure as both sides talked in San Francisco, but negotiations were not easy, says Craig Merrilees of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
“You know, there are a lot of tough issues in this process that lasted over nine months, and some of them are the kinds of issues that are affecting all workers, he said. That includes the outsourcing of good jobs.”
Workers says clerical jobs at the port have been moving to other states and other countries. They are also worried about increasing automation of the port facilities, reducing the need for workers.
Those who move goods into and out of the country include San Francisco coffee company, Ritual Coffee Roasters, where a worker scoops coffee beans ready for roasting.
“We are reliant on constant arrivals of coffee in order to have a fresh supply,” said company founder Eileen Rinaldi.
Others who rely on the ports -- small breweries that use imported hops to brew their beer.
Farmers, who need to ship their perishable citrus -- and a California children's clothing company that has seen its products, which are manufactured in China, sitting in cargo ships in Oakland harbor.
The cargo is moving again, but long-term problems at the ports must be addressed, said transportation analyst Tom O'Brien of California State University, Long Beach.
“The fact that we have larger ships coming now, that is creating peak demand for labor and for equipment is putting a lot of pressure on our infrastructure, not only the ports, but the road network, rail capacity, distribution center and warehousing,” he said.
O'Brien said it all needs to be ramped up to meet increasing trade needs in the future.
词语分析
automatic
困难程度：3星常用词语，属常用6000词
英汉讲解
adj.自动的；无意识的；势必的
n.自动装置；半自动武器
参考例句
用作形容词
This heating system has an automatic temperature control.
这个暖气系统有智能化的温度调节系统。
用作名词
Cranking-motor controls have varied from a simple foot-operated pedal to automatic devices that close the cranking-motor circuit when the accelerator pedal is depressed.
控制起动电机的方法已从一个简单的脚踏板改为压下加速踏板即可自动接通起动电机电路的自动装置。
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proposal
困难程度：4星核心词语，属常用3000词
英汉讲解
n.求婚；建议；建议
参考例句
用作名词
The manager made a proposal for uniting the two companies.
经理提出了将两家公司联合起来的建议。
Various proposals were put forward by the employees for increasing sales.
职员们摆出了各种提升销售额的建议。
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compromise
困难程度：4星核心词语，属常用3000词
英汉讲解
n.妥协；折衷；折衷案；和解
vt.妥协处置；风险
vi.妥协，和解；让步
参考例句
用作名词
The agreement is a compromise, not a sell-out.
这个协议是双方妥协的产物而不是一方让步。
用作及物动词
Build the disorder that does not have the market to compromise project quality forthrightly.
建没市场的混乱直接地风险工程水平。
用作不及物动词
The agreement is a compromise, not a sell-out.
这个协议是双方妥协的产物而不是一方让步。
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explosive
困难程度：3星常用词语，属常用6000词
英汉讲解
adj.爆炸的；引发争论的；大声的
n.炸药
参考例句
用作形容词
The most impressive volcanic phenomena are explosive eruptions.
最让人难忘的火山现象是爆炸喷发。
用作名词
I warn you that the explosive can kill thousands of people.
我警告你,这种炸药可以杀死成千上万个人。
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Internet
困难程度：4星核心词语，属常用3000词
英汉讲解
n.因特网
参考例句
用作名词
Internet plays a very important role in modern life.
网络在现代日常发挥尤为重要有哪些用途。
You can obtain this information on the Internet.
你可以从因特网上获得这一信息。
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obvious
困难程度：4星核心词语，属常用3000词
英汉讲解
adj.明显的；显然的
参考例句
用作形容词
It is obvious that she is very clever.
非常明显，她挺聪明。
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unexpected
困难程度：3星常用词语，属常用6000词
英汉讲解
adj.想不到的；意料之外的
参考例句
用作形容词
Because of something unexpected, I wonder if I can change my appointment from Tuesday to Friday.
因为想不到是什么原因，我不了解能否把约会时间由星期二改到星期五。
The unexpected defeat came as a thunderbolt.
这意料之外的失败犹如晴天霹雳。
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