Global Courant
West Coast dockers have reached a tentative deal with employers, the two sides announced Wednesday, potentially ending months of labor disputes in the ports that could have threatened the country’s economic prospects.
In a joint statement, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Assn., which represents shipping companies and terminal operators, said the new six-year agreement covers employees in all 29 West Coast ports, but did not release further details. The agreement is pending ratification by the union and employers.
The previous contract for 22,000 workers expired on June 30. Since then, union members have been working without a contract. Negotiations stalled on wages and fringe benefits after reaching an agreement on automation.
As high-stakes talks continued, the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and other West Coast ports experienced delays and occasional disruptions due to labor shortages that employers said were deliberate labor actions by the union . Concern rippled through retailers, manufacturers and other importers, who called on the White House to intervene.
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which together handle nearly 40% of US imports from Asia, lost sales as some shippers routed cargo through East and Gulf Coast ports.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of ILWU personnel to keep our ports running,” PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams said in the release. “We are also pleased to return our full attention to the operation of the West Coast Ports.
The preliminary agreement “brings the stability and confidence customers have been looking for,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, the country’s largest cargo container port. “We look forward to working with our partners in a renewed effort to recover cargo and demonstrate why Los Angeles is the preferred choice for trans-Pacific trade.”
International labor economist Jock O’Connell of Beacon Economics called the proposed deal “a very positive sign for West Coast ports and for anyone shipping their cargo through these ports.”
“The reputation of West Coast ports as reliable conduits for Asian trade will be less tarnished, but they still have a long way to go to secure shippers and customers, importers and exporters,” in the wake of recent disruptions that caused significant caused delays. in freight traffic, he said. O’Connell said the ratification process could take several weeks, adding: “It’s important to emphasize that this is not yet complete.”
Acting US Secretary of Labor Julie Su, who has spoken with both sides in recent days, said the agreement “demonstrates once again that collective bargaining – while sometimes difficult – works.”
“Thanks to the hard work and perseverance of the leaders of the ILWU and the PMA, the preliminary agreement brings important stability to workers, employers and our country’s supply chain,” Su said in a press release.
The PMA said Su played a “key role” in the negotiations.
President Biden praised Su’s role in ending “a long and sometimes bitter negotiation” and congratulated longshoremen “who are finally getting the pay, benefits and quality of life they deserve.”
Mayor Karen Bass said the agreement was “a win for the working people of our city,” noting that the Port of Los Angeles generates economic activity that supports 1 in 15 jobs in LA
