The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) has accused the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU Local 13) of conducting “unlawful work activities” that have caused disruptions in operations at the busiest port complex in the country. This is the latest indication that labor negotiations between the unions and their employers are not close to resolution.
The PMA is an organization that represents 70 ocean carriers and marine terminal operators at the West Coast Ports. PMA’s latest statement claims that the ILWU Local 13 is using “new strategies” to disrupt the start of terminal operations at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The PMA did not elaborate on the level of disruption or which terminals were affected.
Cargo operations at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports were stopped the evening of Thursday, April 6th, and the day shift on Friday, April 7th due to a labor shortage, which the PMA claims was intentionally caused by the union’s refusal to provide workers. The PMA now claims that the union is declining to collaborate on labor dispatch and unilaterally delaying the standard dispatch process jointly administered by the PMA and the ILWU.
The PMA stated that “these illegal work activities have disrupted activities at some of the largest and most active terminals in the United States, which play a crucial role in the movement of cargo to and from markets throughout the nation.”
The PMA’s statement is the most recent indication of increasing tensions in the private negotiations between the PMA and the ILWU for a new agreement covering over 22,000 West Coast port workers.
Since negotiations began in May 2022, U.S. ports have seen a significant decrease in the amount of inbound cargo and empty containers being shipped back to Asia, resulting in considerably lower volumes compared to the first half of last year. As a result, cargo has been diverted to U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports, which have been able to hold onto more of their gains from the pandemic import surge.
On Wednesday, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka stated that he believes a negotiated labor agreement is “crucial” to restoring shipper confidence and bringing cargo back to the West Coast.
According to the PMA, the latest work action occurred around a month after the ILWU union in Southern California ceased adhering to a contract provision about staggered meal shifts so that cargo operations could continue without interruption.
The PMA warns that any actions that undermine confidence in West Coast ports risk exacerbating cargo diversion to East and Gulf Coast ports. It warns that “cargo diversion puts quality jobs at risk far beyond the docks, including truck drivers, warehouse workers, and thousands of others whose livelihoods depend on ongoing operations at the port.”
For any questions regarding this update, please contact your Western Overseas representative.
