Turner is worried about the court of public opinion because he supervises murderers. Fair enough.

Easy solution, Hales should participate in the negotiations actively as part of a team of negotiators, would that not force all of the meetings to be public by law?

Perhaps, but I'm guessing that Hales is not as well versed in labor and bargaining as the labor relations folks are. It would be like representing yourself in court instead of hiring a lawyer who knows the law better than you. Also, bargaining can take hours and hours, and so it's probably not the best use of his time.

Paul's especially right on the latter point. Having three commissioners present, even if they let staff do all the talking, would make the meetings public. But, then, do three commissioners have the time to spare?

Why exactly is the PPA so vehemently against ANY public meetings? I don't get what the logic of their position on this matter.

Lock them out and hire scabs. It's worked well for those corporate fucks that lease the grain terminals. Although I'm not sure the longshore folks would want po po on the picket line.

@Graham
Because they are going to vehemently negotiate to keep all the things the public really wants them not to have and be real assholes about it.