Groups Urge Biden to Broker Labor Peace at West Coast Ports

As the West Coast ports labor contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association was to expire Friday, a coalition of more than 150 business groups wrote President Joe Biden, urging his administration “to work with the parties to reach a new agreement” without disruptions to port operations. “We know that there are significant issues for both parties that need to be worked out during this contract negotiation,” said the groups, including CTA, the National Retail Federation, the Retail Industry Leaders Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The only way to resolve these issues is for the parties to remain at the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith,” they said. Extending the current contract past its expiration “would provide additional certainty to all of the supply chain stakeholders that rely on the U.S. West Coast ports,” they said. “This is even more important as we continue to experience supply chain disruptions and congestion for a variety of reasons.” The White House didn’t comment.