A groundbreaking six-year contract has been tentatively agreed upon between the union representing dockworkers and the shippers industry group. This contract covers over 22,000 longshore workers at all 29 West Coast ports. While specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed, it is pending ratification by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA).
In a joint statement, ILWU President Willie Adams and PMA President James McKenna expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “We are pleased to have reached an agreement that acknowledges the dedication and sacrifices made by the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operational. We can now fully focus on the efficient operation of the West Coast ports.”
The negotiations for this contract have been ongoing for several months, as the previous contract expired on July 1. The ILWU had raised concerns regarding the decline in their wages and benefits compared to the increasing revenues of the PMA. On the other hand, the PMA had accused the ILWU of deliberately slowing down work, leading to container terminal closures.
The breakthrough in the negotiations came with assistance from acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her enthusiasm for the tentative agreement, stating, “This is a victory for the hardworking individuals in our city and should be celebrated by all Americans.” The Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka also welcomed the agreement, emphasizing that it brings stability and confidence to their customers.
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