Labor Talks to Get Underway Early
In an attempt to ensure smooth sailing at West Coast ports, the shipping lines and the dockworkers’ union have agreed to sit down in early 2008 to start negotiating a new contract before the old one expires in July 2008.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents 14,279 workers at 29 West Coast ports, and the Pacific Maritime Association—which represents shipping companies, terminal operators and stevedores on the West Coast—are hoping to avert a strike or lockout. When the last contract expired in 2002, a bitter labor dispute shut down all West Coast ports for 10 days in late September and early October, the prime shipping season. It is estimated the strike cost the U.S. economy $1 billion to $2 billion a day, leaving hundreds of ships stranded.
The contract negotiations will cover wages, benefits and employment conditions for workers at ports in California, Oregon and Washington.
“We are pleased the ILWU has agreed to sit down with us early to pursue a waterfront contract agreement without interruption,” said Jim McKenna, PMA president. One controversial issue on the table will be the PMA’s request to introduce more technology to the waterfront in order to speed cargo through the gates.
In recent years, the volume of cargo at the two ports in the Los Angeles area has grown at a double-digit pace. In the last four years, the registered work force has increased by 38 percent.
—Deborah Belgum
