Downside of a labor agreement: PMA-ILWU contract could eliminate some non-union jobs. (Ports).

Michael Bourgault is a veteran marine terminal planner at the Salt Lake City, Utah, office of Stevedoring Services of America. He relocated to Utah from Southern California when SSA moved its yard, rail and vessel-planning functions there in 1996. He enjoys the lifestyle and working conditions in Salt Lake City.

"This is our home. It's where we raise our children. It's a pleasant place to live," Bourgault said.

Sherry Goff has been with SSA for 25 years. She moved to Salt Lake City from Oakland, Calif. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union attempted to organize planners at SSA's Oakland office in the early 1990s, but workers voted down the union, even though the ILWU has a track record of securing large pay increases for its members.

Goff said it may sound old-fashioned, but the company has treated her well, and she and other veterans support SSA. "We're loyal to the company," she said.

Bourgault, Goff and about 30 other planners at SSA could lose their jobs under the tentative contract proposal announced on Nov. 24 by the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association. The technology agreement …