Shipping lines, union agree on early talks
The dockworkers’ union and shipping lines said Thursday that they had agreed to early labor contract talks in hopes of reaching an early settlement and avoiding the rancor that had shut down West Coast ports for 11 days in 2002.
The joint statement by the Pacific Maritime Assn., which represents 74 cargo carriers, terminal operators and stevedore companies that operate on the West Coast, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents maritime laborers at 29 seaports, was a change in tone from 2002. The current labor contract expires in 2008.
“The PMA and its member companies are committed to good faith negotiations with the ILWU that will result in a win-win contract for management, for workers and for the U.S. economy,” said Jim McKenna, maritime association president.
Robert McEllrath, president of the dockworkers’ union, said his organization “likewise is committed to good faith negotiations and is hopeful that the parties can reach a conclusion to negotiations without transportation disruptions from either side.”
Last time, the two sides fought over technological changes that the union feared would result in the loss of too many jobs. The maritime association accused the dockworkers’ union of a work slowdown and locked out the employees.
The fight pushed business to competing ports and cost the U.S. economy an estimated $15 billion. The battle between the two organizations ended when President Bush invoked the Taft-Hartley Act and ordered the ports reopened.
The Pacific Maritime Assn. was later hit with successive surges of cargo that pushed business to record levels, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union grew by 38% to 14,279 members.
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