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West Coast and California Logistics Blog

The Latest on West Coast Port Labor Negotiations

Mon, Jul 14, 2014 @ 11:09 AM / by Weber Logistics

port labor disputeThe contract between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents almost 20,000 longshore workers at 29 West Coast ports, expired on July 1. The union extended its previous six-year contract until this past Friday, July 11 and negotiations are now underway to complete a new deal. 

Port drivers and Teamsters have picketed selected terminals.  This is a separate issue from the ILWU and PMA negotiations.  Members of the Teamsters are organizing owner-operators and employee port drivers to protest what they believe to be unfair business practices at the port. This is leaving many Los Angeles drayage companies without a full staff of drivers to accommodate the huge demand for full container transactions.

Importers and exporters have slammed the ports with product, fearing a West Coast port labor disruption.  Volumes at U.S. container ports are expected to reach 1.5 million containers this month, up 4.3 percent from last year. This volume increase is way ahead of the normal holiday peak season and has come at a time when many ILWU members take their summer vacations.   Problems at the Ports of LA and Long Beach include:

  • Equipment shortages
  • Severe congestion
  • Chassis availability
  • Long waits for drivers

What Can We Do?

Be patient.  Extra capacity is non-existent right now.  Shippers can help by ensuring containers are cleared and made available in a timely manner. 

The good news is that, unlike the disruption in 2002, when the steamship lines locked out the ILWU for 10 days, current negotiations have gone smoothly and there is no indication of a deadlock in the talks, according to spokespeople from the union and the ports.  Once resolved, Southern California ports will continue to be the fastest, cheapest choice to move goods from Asia to the U.S. market. 

Learn more about Weber Logistics solutions:

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Topics: Southern California Ports, West Coast Distribution, Port Logistics

Written by Weber Logistics

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