Obama sending labor secretary to assist West Coast Port Negotiations President Obama is sending U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez to California to meet with ILWU & PMA negotiators to help them reach a contract. "The negotiations over the functioning of the West Coast Ports have been taking place for months with the Administration urging the parties to resolve their … [Read more...]

PMA to Stop Work for Next 3 Days - Pressure Builds for Obama to Take Action The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) said it will suspend U.S. West Coast vessel operations for the next three days and also included yesterday (Thursday) rather than provide longshoremen with holiday or weekend pay for “severely diminished productivity.” From JOC: Vessel operations by the … [Read more...]

West Coast Ports: PMA Accuses ILWU of Withholding Offer to Rank & File The PMA’s latest offer included a 3% wage increase each year over five years and fully paid health care. From JOC: The PMA has offered a contract that would raise ILWU wages 14 percent over five years on top of what it says is average annual earnings for full-time longshoremen of $147,000. PMA also … [Read more...]

West Coast Ports: Work Resumes on Monday after Suspension leaves 40 Ships Stranded at Anchor From JOC: Operations on vessels were suspended this weekend on all shifts and at all West Coast ports.  The goal - to dig out of the container backlog and congestion. However, the terminals generally maintained gate and yard operations.  The goal of the employers was a need to reduce … [Read more...]