Port workers scramble for credentials as security deadline looms

by Jen DeGregorio, The Times-Picayune
Wednesday December 31, 2008, 5:36 PM

Less than two weeks before a tough new security program takes effect at most Louisiana ports, droves of truckers, longshoremen and other workers are still scrambling to get the special credentials they need to keep their jobs.

More than 157,000 workers in the state have already signed up for the federal Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC, program, the hallmark of which is a biometric identification card. Starting on January 13, workers will not be allowed to enter the Port of New Orleans or most other state ports without a TWIC card or a credentialed escort. Ports in the Lake Charles area have until April to comply with the program.

Although deadlines are fast approaching, port officials say there are still plenty of workers in Louisiana who need to apply for a TWIC card. Officials at the Port of New Orleans estimate that about 20 percent of workers have not yet applied to the program, although they could not provide an exact count of uncredentialed employees.

"I think that, throughout the maritime industry, there is a concern about the effect on labor at all the ports," said Paul Zimmerman, director of operations for the Port of New Orleans. "They expect that a portion of the labor may not have already gotten their cards, or may not be eligible for a card."

A TWIC application center in St. Rose was still hopping on Wednesday morning as workers poured in to pick up their cards or apply to the program.

Bill Heffner, a regional sales manager for Associated Marine and Industrial Staffing of Houston, arrived before noon with three employees who needed to apply for a TWIC card. Heffner's company, which employs about 60 people in Louisiana, acts like a middle man between maritime companies and workers that want short-term employment moving cargo or performing other tasks.

"I'm concerned that not all of our employees are going to have them in time," Heffner said of the TWIC cards. "A lot of my clients are very worried about this."

Heffner said he was also worried that many of his workers would not qualify for the program. He estimated that between 20 and 25 percent of the company' staff could fail rigorous background checks that are required to receive a card.

Authorized by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, an anti-terrorism measure meant to protect U.S. waterways, the TWIC program DISQUALIFIES ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS and convicts of various crimes, ranging from murder to espionage. Other prohibitions are more unclear, such as a history of mental problems or involvement in incidents deemed security risks.

However, criminal records and speckled pasts are not uncommon among port workers, who are often required to work erratic hours and without steady pay or benefits. That has fed speculation among port officials that many workers will be banned from docks once the program goes into effect.

The Transportation Security Administration, which oversees the TWIC program, could not quantify the number of port workers in the state that still need to apply for the card. The agency also could not provide a count of TWIC applications that have been turned down.

More than 760,000 workers nationwide have so far enrolled in the program, which is being implemented on a rolling basis. More than 28,000 applications were initially rejected, although many rejections have been overturned or are being appealed.

Zimmerman said the port will have a better picture of how many workers still need credentials after January 13, when gate keepers begin turning away those who do not have a TWIC card or an escort. The port plans to take an unofficial survey to gauge compliance with the program.

Other ports, such as Port Fourchon, has less control over who enters port facilities and relies on individual tenants to monitor their workers.

The Coast Guard is ultimately responsible for regulating the TWIC program. James Nolan, a Coast Guard security specialist, said the agency would integrate TWIC inspections into its regular check system of port facilities, which occurs two times each year.

Jen DeGregorio can be reached at 504.826.3495 or jdegregorio@timespicayune.com.

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