Trade Groups Praise Longshore Workers, Pacific Maritime Association for Tabling Labor Contract Extension

A slew of trade groups applauded the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) for agreeing to discussions that have already resulted in a proposed three-year West Coast port labor contract extension offer, according to a letter the groups sent to ILWU President Robert McEllrath and PMA CEO James McKenna (here). ILWU will consider the offer later this summer, the letter says. “Agreeing to early contract discussions was clearly a difficult and unprecedented step,” the groups said. “However, we believe it is a step that should serve as a model for future negotiations. Uncertainty and supply chain disruptions have caused great economic harm in the past. We strongly believe that early and continuous dialog can strengthen the U.S. economy and the competitive position of West Coast international gateways.” An early contract extension will benefit U.S. labor, terminal operators, cargo owners, transportation providers, and many U.S. workers and consumers, the letter says. The current West Coast port labor contract expires July 1, 2019.