PMA Officially Requests Federal Mediation Help

The Pacific Maritime Association officially requested federal help in its labor contract negotiations with the International Longshore & Warehouse Union, said the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in a press release (here). The "FMCS has been closely monitoring these negotiations for some time and has stood ready to provide mediation services at a moment’s notice," it said. "In light of PMA’s request, and consistent with the voluntary nature of the mediation process, FMCS mediators will promptly reach out to the parties to determine whether and when mediation assistance would be most valuable." Several industry groups previously requested that the federal government get involved (see 1412180012).

Despite the repeated calls for federal mediation, PMA hoped to reach an agreement without outside aid, it said in a press release (here). "After the latest back-and-forth between the parties failed to resolve their differences, however, PMA has now agreed that outside intervention is necessary to bring the talks to conclusion, particularly given the ongoing impact of ILWU work slowdowns, which have disrupted cargo movement at the major West Coast ports of Tacoma, Seattle, Oakland, Los Angeles and Long Beach." The two sides are still "far apart on many issues" after seven months of negotiations, said a PMA spokesman.