What must happen for minimum pay to be invoked when conditions prevent work from continuing?

To invoke minimum pay under the ILWU contract when conditions prevent work from continuing, it is essential that the operation must have commenced. This requirement ensures that workers are compensated for their time and effort which is aimed at recognizing the commitment of the workers once they have begun their assigned tasks.

When work has officially started, and then subsequently halted due to unforeseen circumstances, the agreement acknowledges this investment by providing minimum pay to the workers during that stoppage. This provision helps to protect workers’ rights and ensures they are not unfairly penalized for disruptions beyond their control.

The other options do not align with the contract's stipulations regarding minimum pay. For example, having a certain number of workers report or needing a formal announcement of a stoppage does not directly relate to the conditions necessary for minimum pay to be applied. Similarly, the requirement for workers to complete a specific time before qualifying for pay is irrelevant if the operation has not yet commenced. Thus, the correct condition for the invocation of minimum pay focuses strictly on the commencement of operations.