Labor-Management Strife Again Shuts Port of Oakland Container Terminal

Port shutdowns caused by labor-management disputes continued at the Port of Oakland March 9 and 11, despite a tentative deal reached in February between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association (see 1502230002). The Oakland International Container Terminal, one of five at the port, sent longshoremen home early on March 11 “after they refused to work due to a dispute over staffing levels,” according to an update on the Port of Oakland website (here). The same terminal also had a “labor-management staffing issue” on March 9 that resulted in import containers not being “available for pick-up.” All marine terminals, including the Oakland International Container Terminal, were back open as of 9:25 a.m. PDT on March 12, according to the Port of Oakland.