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6/15/2023
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from the National Retail Federation.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) yesterday announced a tentative agreement covering the union’s 22,000 dockworkers.
The six-year contract was reached with assistance from Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su, who played a key role in resolving the negotiations earlier this week, ILWU and PMA officials said in a joint press release. The parties have not yet released terms of the agreement, which is subject to ratification by members of both organizations.
Dockworkers at 29 U.S. West Coast ports have been working without a contract since the previous one expired July 1, 2022. Negotiations for a new contract began in May 2022. PMA represents more than 70 ports, ocean carriers and maritime companies.
"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," said PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams in a prepared joint statement.
ILWU workers initiated multiple work disruptions and other actions during the negotiation period. At the Port of Seattle, workers refused to dispatch labor to container terminals June 9-10, forcing the port to shut down; similar events occurred June 2-3 at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
"The tentative agreement between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association brings the stability and confidence that customers have been seeking," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka in a statement.
"We urge the parties to quickly ratify the tentative agreement to bring certainty back to the West Coast ports," said National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay in a statement.