ILWU Responds to West Coast Ports Management’s Offer
On Tuesday, December 16th, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) presented its counter proposal to the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). The PMA, which manages 29 ports, had made its latest proposal for a long-term contract with the over 37,000 member union on Thursday, December 11th. The ILWU and PMA have been negotiating a new long-term contract since the previous contract expired on July 1, 2014. The two sides jointly announced in August that they had reached tentative agreement on healthcare benefits, which had been one of the most contentious issues.
While there have been strikes by truck drivers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, protesting employee classification and low wages at Harbor Area trucking companies, the ILWU and PMA had agreed to keep ports open and continue working during negotiations. Twelve years ago, a shutdown at West Coast ports due to an expired contract lasted ten days and had an estimated economic impact of $1 billion per day.
Although ports have remained open on the West Coast, there have been accusations by management of work slowdowns during negotiations and ports are experiencing significant shipping congestion. The Marine Exchange of Southern California reported on Monday, December 15th that there were four container ships at anchor and awaiting berths. West Coast ports are responsible for almost 70 percent of Asian imports, as well as almost half of all U.S. maritime trade.
