Dockworkers 'Effectively Shut Down' West Coast Terminals, PMA Says

Major West Coast ports have experienced recent disruptions as dockworkers and marine terminals continue to negotiate over a labor deal (see 2303270032).

The Pacific Maritime Association, which represents terminal operators and shipping lines, said the International Longshore and Warehouse Union on June 2 staged “concerted and disruptive work actions that have effectively shut down operations” at certain marine terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The PMA also said union members are “staging similar work actions that have shut down or severely impacted terminal operations” at other California ports in Oakland and Hueneme and Washington ports in Tacoma and Seattle.

In a June 2 statement, ILWU International President Willie Adams said “any reports that negotiations have broken down are false.” Adams said the two sides are “getting there,” but ILWU won’t “settle for an economic package that doesn’t recognize the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce that lifted the shipping industry to record profits.” The ILWU said it and PMA “are committed to reaching an agreement.”

The Port of Long Beach said all of its container terminals were back open June 2. "As we monitor terminal activity, we urge the PMA and ILWU to continue negotiating in good faith toward a fair agreement," said Mario Cordero, the port's executive director.