The Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have jointly announced a tentative agreement on a six-year contract covering workers at all 29 West Coast ports in the United States.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating,” PMA president James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams indicated in a joint statement. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast ports.”
Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, which had weighed in on the importance of reaching a deal, noted, “On behalf of the retail industry, we are relieved to see the parties have come to a tentative mutual agreement on a long-term contract for labor operations at the West Coast ports, ending over a year of negotiations and uncertainty. A new agreement provides stability to the supply chain and assurance to the millions of businesses and employees who rely on smooth and efficient operations from the West Coast ports. The West Coast ports are a critical artery for retailers and other businesses into the U.S. market. We urge the parties to quickly ratify the tentative agreement to bring certainty back to the West Coast ports. It is essential to begin the negotiation process early for the next labor contract and avoid a future lapse in continuity.”
