West Coast contract looms

The long running dispute between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) over the failed operation of a container handling facility at Terminal 6 in Portland, Oregon, has been resolved.

Finally, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents over 22,000 employees at 29 US west coast ports, and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) which embodies the interests of the employers, have reached agreement on a new labour contract.

Machinists’ union accuses the ILWU of trying to hold the PMA to an “appalling and unacceptable proposal” to replace its members with ILWU mechanics at Terminal 5 in Seattle.

Two US Congressmen are drafting legislation that would require carriers to make containers available for US exporters.

Container volume through the busiest harbour in the US will exceed 16M TEU in 2017.

The dispute in Melbourne goes well beyond issues the Maritime Union of Australia has with ICTSI over conditions at Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT).