Union, Shippers Return to Table
West Coast dockworkers and shipping lines returned to the bargaining table Wednesday, ending a brief halt in contract negotiations that had heightened concerns about a possible disruption at the ports.
Bargaining subcommittees devoted to issues such as benefits and safety resumed discussion in the afternoon in San Francisco.
Although top union and management officials at the so-called big table have yet to meet--and so far have no plans to do so--both sides characterized Wednesday’s developments as progress after a tense Labor Day weekend standoff in which talks broke down and the long-extended labor agreement expired.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union had accused the management group of sabotaging negotiations by trying to make a tentative agreement on health care contingent upon a deal on arbitration--a charge that the management group denied.
Union spokesman Steve Stallone said the two sides agreed Wednesday on a framework for further bargaining, paving the way for the two sides to restart negotiations.
“It’s significant in that they asked us to get back [to the table] and that they agreed to take one issue at a time,” Stallone said. “We’ll see what happens from here.”
Jack Suite, contract administrator for the Pacific Maritime Assn., said the management group is likewise pleased that both sides are again communicating directly.
“Obviously we are encouraged,” Suite said. “You don’t settle contracts by sniping at each other and holding press conferences and rallies. You settle it by sitting at the table and bargaining.”
The resumption of talks was good news to companies dependent on the West Coast’s 29 ports, which move an estimated $300 billion of goods each year.
“We’re cautiously optimistic,” said Robin Lanier, executive director of the West Coast Waterfront Coalition, which represents retailers, manufacturers and other importers and exporters. “Both sides appear to have cooled off a bit.”
Lanier said her group is still concerned that the dockworkers union is working without a contract. The 10,500-member union had agreed to day-to-day contract extensions since the original agreement expired July 1. It refused further extensions Sunday, paving the way for potential work slowdowns. But so far cargo appears to be moving normally.
September is prime time for retailers to receive merchandise for the all-important holiday season, and many are rushing to take possession of it as soon as possible in the face of potential labor disruptions.
Lanier said the only delays her members have been experiencing stem from a shortage of equipment at the ports caused by “all the uncertainty.” She said chassis, or wheels used to move metal shipping containers over land, are in particularly short supply.
