PMA hints at lockout

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.

The ILWU and PMA are rumoured to have an agreement on automation, but “rank-and-file” union members withheld labour over the PMA’s position on wage increases.

West coast union says parties have reached a “tentative agreement” on “certain key issues”.

With import volumes falling and dwell times coming down, labour issues at LA/Long Beach are more of a “minor inconvenience” than a “severe disruption” says FourKites.

PMA accuses ILWU of taking “a concerted action to withhold labour at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, resulting in widespread worker shortages.”

The ILWU lost its fight for jurisdiction over maintenance and repair work at Terminal 5 in Seattle; labour disruptions in LA/LB began the same day.