新闻万花筒：VOA视角之美国西海岸港口繁忙起来应付积压

Spiiker新闻万花筒，VOA新闻，带您看世界，听世界，

感受世界的点点滴滴。

练听力，提能力，小编与您共努力！

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.

词汇解析

automatic

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

adj.自动的；无意识的；必然的

n.自动装置；半自动武器

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

This heating system has an automatic temperature control.

这个暖气系统有自动化的温度调节系统。

用作名词 (n.)

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.

控制起动电机的方式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。

************************

proposal

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

n.求婚；建议；提议

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

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.

员工们摆出了各种提高销售额的提议。

************************

compromise

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

n.妥协；折衷；折衷案；和解

vt.妥协处理；危害

vi.妥协，和解；让步

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

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 (vt.)

Build the disorder that does not have the market to compromise project quality forthrightly.

建没市场的混乱直接地危害工程质量。

用作不及物动词 (vi.)

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。

************************

explosive

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

adj.爆炸(性)的；引发争论的；大声的

n.炸药

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

The most impressive volcanic phenomena are explosive eruptions.

最令人难忘的火山现象是爆炸喷发。

用作名词 (n.)

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。

************************

Internet

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

n.因特网

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

Internet plays a very important role in modern life.

互联网在现代生活中发挥非常重要的作用。

You can obtain this information on the Internet.

你可以从因特网上获得这一信息。

************************

obvious

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

adj.明显的；显然的

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

It is obvious that she is very clever.

很明显，她挺聪明。

************************

unexpected

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

adj.想不到的；意外的

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

Because of something unexpected, I wonder if I can change my appointment from Tuesday to Friday.

由于想不到的原因，我不知道是否可以把约会时间由星期二改到星期五。

The unexpected defeat came as a thunderbolt.

这意外的失败犹如晴天霹雳。

See more information, you can visit us

英语口语测试  http://www.spiiker.com/daily/
 
在线学英语口语 http://www.spiiker.com/english-plaza.jsp