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☆ ILWU Canada West Coast port workers to strike starting July 1 in blow to recovering supply chain
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

After a recent landslide vote of union members, the ILWU Canada has served notice it plans to strike at the country's West Coast ports starting on July 1. ILWU Canada said in a statement on Wednesday that its goal is to protect jobs and claims the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association is demanding major concessions. Impact to U.S. economy and tradeThe biggest port to be affected by this strike is the Port of Vancouver, the largest port in Canada. So far, ILWU Canada has declined this binding mediation & arbitration proposal," it said. But logistics managers tell CNBC that news of the Canadian port worker strike is a blow to operations.

Persons: Prince Rupert, ILWU, Rob Ashton, BCMEA, Port of Prince Rupert, Berkshire Hathaway, Vancouver and Prince Rupert, Jon Gold, General Mills, Jeff Harmening, Paul Brashier, Brashier Organizations: Canadian Labor, ILWU, British Columbia Maritime Employers Association, Canadian, Port, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, U.S, BNSF, U.S ., National Retail Federation, CNBC, Retailers, General, ITS Logistics Locations: Canada, Coast, ILWU Canada, West Coast, Vancouver, British, of Vancouver, Canadian, Vancouver Fraser, U.S, Port of Vancouver, Port of, West, CN, Canadian Pacific, Berkshire, Panama, U.S . West Coast, Midwest, Chicago

Union workers missed out on a frenzy of wage increases by employers desperate for workers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Low unemployment makes it easier for union workers to stand firm during negotiations. Union workers also want more affordable healthcare, paid sick time and more-flexible scheduling for greater work-life balance. Some workers said the base wage increase was insufficient and balked at higher out-of-pocket medical costs. Late last year, U.S. freight railroad workers rejected a five-year contract that included a 24% wage increase, citing lack of paid sick leave.

Persons: Diane Swonk, Erin McLaughlin, Willie Adams, Sam Johnson, Johnson, Joe Biden, Todd Vachon, Garth Thompson, Lisa Baertlein, Bianca Flowers, Rajesh Kumar Singh, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Workers, Spirit, Deere & Co, Reuters, KPMG, Conference Board, Conference, . West, International Association of Machinists, Aerospace Workers, Caterpillar, Congress, Unions, Union, CNH, Deere, Midwest, Rutgers, United Parcel Service, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Auto Workers, Detroit automakers, General Motors, Ford, FedEx, American Airlines, Pilots, United, United Airlines, Thomson Locations: U.S, . West Coast, Wichita , Kansas, Decatur , Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, West, Los Angeles, Chicago

☆ New Senate legislation seeks to revise national labor law, targeting port union workers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The legislation, sponsored by Idaho Republican Senator Jim Risch, would amend the National Labor Relations Act and the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 to deter labor slowdowns and prohibit labor organizations from blocking the modernization of ports. It estimated a more widespread strike along the West Coast could cost approximately $1 billion per day. The recent union workers slowdowns impacted key transportation operations, including truckers, the freight rails and ocean vessels. As a result of the slowdowns, $5.2 billion in cargo was stuck off the West Coast ports. "The PLUS Act takes the important step of making intentional labor slowdowns an unfair labor practice.

Persons: slowdowns, Jim Risch, Ted Budd, Mike Crapo, Biden's, Julie Su, Risch, Biden, AB5, Budd, Crapo Organizations: Warehouse Union, Senate, Idaho Republican, National Labor Relations, Labor Management Relations, Pacific Maritime Association, U.S . Chamber, Commerce, Union Pacific, CNBC, Labor, California Labor, Workforce Agency, Capitol, Big Labor Locations: West Coast, West, Idaho, U.S, Los Angeles, Long, Port, Seattle, United States, North

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) employer group declined comment. Manufacturers, automakers and food producers which import or export goods also rely on the West Coast ports. "We urge the parties to quickly ratify the tentative agreement to bring certainty back to the West Coast ports," Shay said. Many of the ports' customers shifted a portion of their cargo to ocean trade gateways on the East Coast and Gulf Coast to avoid potential slowdowns from the Pacific Coast labor talks. After 72 hours, the ILWU and PMA hammered out a deal and credited Su with assisting in the efforts.

Persons: Labor Julie Su, Joe Biden, Suzanne Clark, Matthew Shay, Shay, Su, Lisa Baertlein, Barbara Lewis, Grant McCool, Deepa Babington Organizations: ANGELES, U.S ., Labor, Wall Street, Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association, Biden, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Walmart, Manufacturers, National Retail Federation, Pacific, PMA, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S . West Coast, West Coast, U.S, COVID, West, East Coast, Gulf, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle, Washington

June 14 (Reuters) - The Longshore union and employers of 22,000 dockworkers at U.S. West Coast ports on Wednesday said they have reached a tentative deal on a new six-year contract, ending 13 months of talks and easing supply chain worries. "The tentative agreement delivers important stability for workers, for employers and for our country's supply chain," Su said in a statement on Wednesday. The tentative deal comes as retailers like Walmart (WMT.N) and Target (TGT.N) are starting to land merchandise for the critical back-to-school, Halloween and Christmas retail shopping seasons. Manufacturers, automakers and food producers who import or export goods also rely on the Pacific Coast ports. West Coast port market share dipped after some customers shifted cargo to rival East Coast and Gulf Coast ports to avoid potential labor disruptions during the negotiations.

Persons: Julie Su, Joe Biden, Su, James McKenna, Willie Adams, Gene Seroka, Lisa Baertlein, Kanjyik Ghosh, Christopher Cushing, Michael Perry, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: ., U.S, Labor, Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association, ILWU International, West Coast, Los Angeles, Walmart, Manufacturers, East, Port of Los Angeles, Twitter, Thomson Locations: . West Coast, San Francisco, California, Washington State, Long, United States, West Coast, East Coast, Gulf Coast, Panama, China, Port of, Los Angeles, Bengaluru

☆ For ILWU, West Coast port deal to be union-ratified, here's what has to happen next
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Eric Rosenbaum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But the proposed labor deal is a far way from being fully approved, according to the International Longshore & Warehouse Union. "The ILWU is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with PMA last night," said a statement from ILWU President Willie Adams on Thursday afternoon. "These delegates will carefully review the tentative agreement and make a recommendation to the rank and file who will then vote on the tentative agreement," Adams said. "We will not be sharing details of the tentative agreement publicly until we have completed the ratification process," he stated. President Biden nominated Acting Secretary Su on February 28 to replace Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who stepped down in March.

Persons: Julie Su, Willie Adams, Adams, Labor Su, Biden, Su, Marty Walsh, Price Rupert, CNBC's Lori Ann LaRocco Organizations: Biden, Labor, Warehouse Union, PMA, Pacific Maritime Association, United Mine Workers, AFL, Senate, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, ILWU, U.S . Locations: West Coast, California, San Francisco, Seattle, West, Vancouver, U.S . West Coast, Panama, East Coast

☆ Tentative agreement ends worker slowdowns and stoppages that crippled West Coast ports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A tentative deal between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union was announced Wednesday night, ending 14 days of worker slowdowns and stoppages that crippled port productivity. The new contract is for six years and will cover workers at all 29 West Coast ports. "We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast Ports." In a landslide vote, ILWU Canada workers authorized a strike at Canadian West Coast ports as early as June 24. Correction: A tentative deal between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union was announced Wednesday night.

Persons: slowdowns, James McKenna, Willie Adams, Labor Julie Su, Su Organizations: Pacific Maritime Association, Warehouse Union, West Coast Ports, Labor, CNBC, SSA, Logistics, Canadian Locations: Coast, San Francisco, California, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, The, Seattle's, Port, Seattle, Canada, Canadian West, Panama, East Coast

☆ Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union reach tentative labor agreement
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Vanessa Yurkevich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union reached a tentative agreement Wednesday after more than a year of negotiations. The new six year deal covers workers at all 29 West Coast Ports and comes after worker stoppages that closed various West Coast port terminals in recent weeks. The deal was reached with assistance from Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su who met with both sides earlier this week, the PMA and the ILWU said in a joint statement. Details of the deal will not be released and is subject to ratification. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast Ports,” they said.

Persons: Julie Su, ” James McKenna, Willie Adams Organizations: CNN, Pacific Maritime Association, Warehouse Union, Coast Ports, Labor, West Coast Ports Locations: West Coast

☆ West Coast Dockworkers Reach Contract Deal With Port Operators
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Kurtis Lee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

After a year of contract negotiations that resulted in numerous delays and a decline in the movement of cargo at ports along the West Coast, union dockworkers and port operators have reached a tentative deal set to last for six years. In a joint statement released late Wednesday, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association announced a tentative agreement on a new contract that covers 22,000 workers at 29 ports from San Diego to Seattle, some of the busiest in the world. Details about the agreement, which is expected to be formally ratified by both sides, were not immediately released. President Biden, who stepped in last year to urge a swift resolution, released a statement congratulating both parties for reaching an agreement “after a long and sometimes acrimonious negotiation.”

Persons: Biden, ” Organizations: Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association Locations: West Coast, San Diego, Seattle

☆ Biden Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su engaged in tense West Coast port contract negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Julie Su testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on her nomination to be Labor Secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 20, 2023. President Biden's Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su is in current communication with labor and port management representatives in an effort to help broker a deal at a time of rising tensions at ports up and down the West Coast. President Biden nominated Acting Secretary Su on February 28 to replace Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who stepped down in March. She was previously confirmed by the Senate to serve as the deputy secretary of labor on July 13, 2021. It estimated a more widespread strike along the West Coast could cost approximately $1 billion per day.

Persons: Julie Su, Biden's, Su, Su's, Biden, Marty Walsh, Suzanne Clark, Paul Brashier Organizations: Health, Education, Labor, Capitol, California Labor, Workforce Development Agency, Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association, The Department, United Mine Workers, AFL, Senate, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, National Retail Federation, National Association of Manufacturers, . Chamber of Commerce, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, ILWU, Canadian, Logistics, ITS Logistics Locations: Washington , U.S, West, West Coast, Los Angeles, Long, U.S, ILWU Canada, Canadian West Coast, Panama, East

☆ PMA says US West Coast port workers shut down Port of Seattle; workers' union denies claim
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"On the first shift today, the ILWU refused to dispatch any longshore workers to container terminals, the PMA said, resulting in the shutdown of the port. The ILWU, however, said that the West Coast ports are open and accused the PMA of "leveraging one-sided information to influence the process." “Despite what you are hearing from PMA, West Coast ports are open as we continue to work under our expired collective bargaining agreement,” said ILWU International President Willie Adams. West Coast ports stretching from California to Washington state are critical to the U.S. supply chains and the economy. The largest U.S. business group on Friday urged President Joe Biden to intervene immediately and appoint an independent mediator to address a protracted West Coast ports labor dispute.

Persons: ”, Willie Adams, Joe Biden, Suzanne Clark, Biden, Gokul, Diane Craft, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Pacific Maritime Association, International, Warehouse Union, Port, ILWU, Unions, . Chamber of Commerce, Thomson Locations: Port of Seattle, West, West Coast, California, Washington, U.S, Port, Seattle, Bengaluru

☆ Port of Seattle closed due to ILWU labor strife
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The labor strife continues on the west coast with the announcement of the Port of Seattle shutting down due to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) refusing to dispatch labor to work at the container terminals. The West Coast ports have faced continuous worker slowdowns and stoppages all week where an estimated $5.2 billion of trade is floating off the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland. "Despite what you are hearing from PMA, West Coast ports are open as we continue to work under our expired collective bargaining agreement," stated International President Willie Adams. The Port of Seattle and its twin port, The Port of Tacoma, make up what is called the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA). The Port of Seattle is one of the top maritime ports in North America that U.S. ag exporters rely on to ship their produce and grain.

Persons: Willie Adams Organizations: Port, Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association, Northwest Seaport Alliance Locations: Seattle, West, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, West Coast, The Port, Tacoma, North America, China, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, India

REUTERS/Carlos BarriaJune 9 (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business group on Friday urged President Joe Biden him to intervene immediately and appoint an independent mediator to address a protracted West Coast ports labor dispute. West Coast ports stretching from California to Washington state are critical to U.S. supply chains and the nation's economy. U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark in a letter to Biden cited "continued and potentially expanded service disruptions at these ports heading into peak shipping season." Workers reported for duty on Thursday and Friday at the Port of Los Angeles, officials said. "Operations going into the weekend seem to be the most normal they've been" since labor disruptions started late last week, Los Angeles port spokesman Phillip Sanfield said, adding that the port has limited weekend hours.

Persons: Carlos Barria, Joe Biden, Suzanne Clark, Biden, Phillip Sanfield, David Shepardson, Chizu Nomiyama, Mark Potter Organizations: Shipping, Port, REUTERS, . Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Maritime Association, Warehouse Union, Workers, Retailers, Thomson Locations: Oakland, Oakland , California, U.S, West Coast, California, Washington, Seattle, Tacoma, Los Angeles, Long, Port of Los Angeles, San Francisco, East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Asia, Panama

The "slow and go" pace of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union workforce at West Coast ports has slowed ground port productivity to a crawl. "Our data shows that vessels will continue arriving at West Coast ports in the coming days with significant amounts of cargo to unload," said Kyle Henderson, CEO of Vizion. Truck and container backupsThe average truck turns to go in and out of the West Coast ports are up. West Coast ports, which had lost significant volume to East Coast ports over the past year due to volatility in the labor contract talks, had in recent months begun to gain back volume. Recent Panama Canal low water levels limited cargo throughput, and soon after that, large parts of U.S. West Coast ports stopped handling inbound and outbound container trade.

Persons: Kyle Henderson, lashers, Xeneta, Peter Sand, Hapag Lloyd, Paul Brashier, Jerome Powell, Jonathan Ostry Organizations: Fenix Marine Services, Warehouse, Port, CNBC, Vizion, Logistics, Pacific Maritime Association, Long, PMA, Marine Services, East Coasts, Fenix Marine, U.S ., East Coast Ports, CMA, ITS Logistics, Los Angeles, Federal, Georgetown Locations: West Coast, Port of Oakland, Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach , California, Oakland, Los Angeles, Long, Port of Long, Long Beach, Seattle, Tacoma, West, U.S, East, Coast, East Coast, Panama, U.S . West Coast, Gulf, Asia, South America, Los, Houston, Savannah

☆ Freight railroad alert raised to 'red' as shippers fear more West Coast port tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The slowdown in International Longshore and Warehouse Union work at West Coast ports has created a congestion contagion that is spreading to the freight railroads, with uncertain consequences for the supply chain. The West Coast ports, including Los Angeles and Long Beach, had seen an uptick in recent activity as labor talks progressed, taking back some volume from East Coast ports which had gained amid the labor tensions over the past year. That port processes less railroad freight compared to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which have been open with only certain terminals targeted for shutdowns. Brashier said there is concern that inland port intermodal (IPI) freight will be hit next. "Without a concrete resolution in sight, a lack of reliable communication from either party and the ILWU actions, shippers should stay vigilant and close to the situation on the West Coast as the situation remains extremely fluid," he said.

Persons: Paul Brashier, Brashier Organizations: ITS Logistics, Port, Rail, Los, Pacific Maritime Association, The Association of American Railroads, shutdowns Locations: West Coast, Los Angeles, Long, East Coast, U.S, Port, Oakland

The Port of Long Beach is the second-busiest U.S. container terminal and a key driver of economic activity. That industry accounts for about half of the volume at the nation's container ports and is gearing up for back-to-school, Christmas and key sales events. That facility is majority owned by container shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Company SA (MSC). Pacific Container Terminal, owned by Carrix Inc's SSA Marine, was closed on Monday for normal operational reasons having nothing to do with labor, terminal general manager Randy Galosic told Reuters. Many West Coast terminals are fully or partly owned by those shipping companies.

Persons: Biden, dockworkers, David French, TTI, Lee Peterson, Randy Galosic, Lisa Baertlein, Will Dunham, Chizu Organizations: National Retail Federation, Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, Warehouse Union, Coast, Container, Carrix, SSA, Reuters, ILWU, Long, Thomson Locations: ANGELES, West Coast, Southern California's Port, Long, Oakland , California, California, Washington, TTI, Los Angeles, Oakland, Long Beach, West

☆ West Coast port labor issues persist from Los Angeles to Seattle, with supply chain frustration mounting
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A container ship is shown at the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, November 22, 2021. Another Los Angeles Port terminal, Pacific Container Terminal (owned by SSA) announced Monday morning to truckers they would be closing the dayside shift on Tuesday. watch nowThe Port of Los Angeles, the nation's busiest port, processes $440 billion in cargo value per year. That market share has declined with more trade moving to the East Coast over the past year, at least partially due to labor issues on the West Coast that had supply chain managers worried about reliability of service. Recently, as the labor negotiations on the West Coast were said to have made progress, more trade started coming back.

Persons: Mike Blake, Paul Brashier, Brashier, ILWU Organizations: Port, Oakland, Logistics, CNBC, Marine Services, CMA, Maersk, Evergreen, ITS Logistics, Warehouse Union, Fenix Marine, Los Angeles Port, Container, SSA, Pacific Maritime Association Locations: Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California, West, Los Angeles, Seattle, OOCL, COSCO Shipping, Sealand, West Coast, Port, East Coast, China, of Los Angeles, East, Long, Oakland

The West Coast is home to the busiest U.S. container port complex at Los Angeles/Long Beach. Pacific Coast ports are an important engine of the U.S. economy and handle everything from apparel and furniture to agricultural products and automobiles. Some Port of Los Angeles terminals were affected by labor shortages, a spokesperson there said. Meanwhile, West Coast ports have lost cargo to rival ports on the East and Gulf Coasts as shippers worry that a breakdown in talks could strand cargo on ships or in docks. Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Will Dunham and Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Willie Adams, Adams, Mario Cordero, Cordero, Friday's, Lisa Baertlein, Will Dunham, Diane Craft Organizations: U.S . West, Pacific Maritime Association, Warehouse Union, ILWU, Twitter, Long Beach, Walmart, Thomson Locations: ANGELES, U.S . West Coast, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, California, Tacoma, Seattle, Washington, Coast, Pacific Coast, U.S, Port, Long, West Coast, Gulf Coasts

☆ Labor Deal at West Coast Ports Comes Into View
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Paul Berger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The dockworkers’ union and port employers have been negotiating for almost a year on a contract covering more than 22,000 dockworkers at West Coast ports. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg NewsContract talks between unionized longshore workers and employers at West Coast ports appear to be headed into their final stretch following agreements on several major issues, potentially clearing the uncertainty that has been hanging over U.S. importers heading into their crucial fall selling season. Some shipping officials familiar with the talks hope a tentative agreement could be reached by June, ending a contentious period in port labor relations that prompted some of the country’s biggest retailers and manufacturers to shift goods away from the region to avoid possible disruptions.

☆ West Coast Dockworkers Reach Tentative Deal on Port Automation
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Paul Berger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Computer-controlled cargo cranes lift containers from ships to zero-emission automated guide vehicles, remote-controlled electric movers at the Port of Long Beach, Calif. Photo: Damian Dovarganes/Associated PressWest Coast dockworkers reached a tentative agreement with employers on the use of automated machinery at cargo terminals, according to sources familiar with the negotiations, clearing one major hurdle in negotiations on a new contract covering workers at some of the country’s biggest seaports. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents more than 22,000 dockworkers at ports from Southern California to Washington state, said Thursday it has reached agreement with employers “on certain key issues.”

☆ Employers say union is disrupting work at Southern California seaports
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Major shippers - including suppliers to retailers including Walmart Inc (WMT.N) and Home Depot Inc (HD.N) - have been diverting cargo from the West Coast to rival seaports on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico to avoid potential work stoppages. "These actions have slowed the start of operations throughout the Southern California port complex," PMA said. The disruption coincided with a routine monthly "stop work" meeting on April 6, Los Angeles Port Director Gene Seroka told reporters on a conference call on Wednesday. "The collective bargaining agreement between the union and the employers guarantees these monthly meetings, which are dedicated to addressing the union's proceedings," Seroka said. Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ West Coast port workers force closure of top U.S. shipping gateway - employer group
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Laila Kearney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 7 (Reuters) - A shortage of West Coast port workers has forced the busiest U.S. ocean trade gateway to shut on Friday, after months of strained labor negotiations between the dock workers union and their employers. "The action by the union has effectively shut down the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach," the PMA said in a statement. Port of Los Angeles officials were communicating with the ILWU and PMA, along with federal, state and local officials, to "support a return to normal operations," said the group, which is managed by a unit of the City of Los Angeles. A representative of the ILWU Local 13, which represents workers at both the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, declined to comment. Reporting by Laila Kearney in New York; editing by Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Top U.S. shipping gateway mostly closes due to port worker shortage - employer group
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Laila Kearney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 7 (Reuters) - A shortage of West Coast port workers has forced the busiest U.S. ocean trade gateway to largely shut on Friday, after months of strained labor negotiations between the union dock workers and their employers. The PMA said the missing workers were a result of a coordinated action by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) to withhold labor as contract talks drag on. "The action by the union has effectively shut down the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach," the PMA said in a statement. Instead, the ILWU said the slowdown was due to thousands of union workers attending a monthly membership meeting on Thursday evening and observing the Good Friday holiday the following day. Port of Los Angeles officials were communicating with the ILWU and PMA, along with federal, state and local officials, to "support a return to normal operations," said the group, which is managed by a unit of the City of Los Angeles.

☆ U.S. East Coast Port Workers Begin Early Contract Talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Paul Berger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

The International Longshoremen’s Association, which represents East Coast and Gulf Coast dockworkers, in September asked its locals to open talks with regional employer groups, said James McNamara, an ILA spokesman. A spokesman for the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents carriers and terminal operators on the West Coast, declined to comment. The Port of Houston and Georgia’s Port of Savannah have also benefited from freight diversions away from the West Coast. The West Coast labor talks have significant hurdles to overcome once the two sides resolve their regional disagreements, according to shipping industry officials. Shipping industry officials say the talks covering Gulf Coast and East Coast ports face fewer stumbling blocks.

☆ Some supply chain managers are wary of shifting trade back to West Coast ports
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mario Tama | Getty ImagesNearly a third of logistics managers at major companies and trade groups say they do not know how much trade they would return to the West Coast once an International Longshore and Warehouse Union, or ILWU, labor deal is reached, according to CNBC's supply chain survey. Of those surveyed, 49% said they did not divert trade, compared to 40% who said they did. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwardsOver half of those respondents told CNBC the main reason for moving trade away from the West Coast was the threat of an ILWU strike. About 40% cited both California's AB5 "gig worker" law, which concerns the employment status of drivers, and rail delays. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwardsNegotiations between the ILWU and their employer, the Pacific Maritime Association, have been ongoing since May 10.

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