Shipping Lines Offer Evidence of Slowdowns

The shipping industry turned over to the Justice Department what it calls proof of a “concerted, systematic work slowdown” by the longshore union since West Coast ports were reopened under a federal court order Oct. 9.

Despite an injunction calling for work to resume at “a normal and reasonable rate of speed,” the Pacific Maritime Assn. said productivity per worker dropped by as much as a third in the first week after the docks reopened. The shipping group said the slower pace cost shipping lines and terminal operators millions of dollars and prevented the clearing of a massive backlog of containers.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union said the claim was “completely baseless.”

Justice Department officials would not comment. However, they asked for further documentation and warned each side not to destroy any relevant evidence.