{"id":3063,"date":"2014-07-31T13:06:28","date_gmt":"2014-07-31T18:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/supfrt.com\/news\/?p=3063"},"modified":"2014-07-31T13:06:28","modified_gmt":"2014-07-31T18:06:28","slug":"west-coast-ports-talks-going-smoothly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/supfrt.com\/news\/2014\/07\/31\/west-coast-ports-talks-going-smoothly\/","title":{"rendered":"West Coast Ports: Talks Going Smoothly"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"port<\/a>West Coast Ports: Talks Going Smoothly<\/p>\n

Though no contract yet, the talks\u00a0are going smoothly.<\/p>\n

From JOC<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Yet even though it now looks like it will be sometime in August<\/a>\u00a0before a new agreement is in place, no one is panicking and tensions appear low. Why? The reason is that McKenna in his TPM comments was true to his word in another, far more important sense. He predicted that cargo would flow unimpeded across the West Coast docks during the negotiations \u2014 in stark contrast to the last two contract negotiations, in 2002 and 2008. And so far, at least, that is exactly what\u2019s happened.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Below is\u00a0a chart\u00a0highlighting the contrasts of negotiations between 2014 and 2008 thus far:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
ILWU-PMA Negotiations: 2008 vs. 2014 <\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008 \u2014 Contract expires July 1, 2008<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n2014 \u2014 Contract expires July 1, 2014<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
May 17, 2007:<\/strong> Two sides agree more than a year prior to expiration of the contract to pursue early negotiations. Both sides said they are \u201ccommitted to good faith negotiations.\u201d<\/span>March 17, 2008:<\/strong> Contract talks begin on an early, optimistic note. \u201cThe ILWU and PMA agreed to begin talks well ahead of the contract expiration to provide sufficient time to resolve key issues and concerns.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span>April 3, 2008:<\/strong> \u201cTalks progressing\u201d The ILWU and PMA \u201chave exchanged documents, asked clarifying questions about them and continued formal discussions aimed at reaching a fair and reasonable agreement before the current six-year contract expires on July 1, 2008.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span>May 1, 2008:<\/strong> Strike: \u201cThe International Longshore and Warehouse Union today struck West Coast ports from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest, bringing cargo operations to a virtual standstill.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span>May 22, 2008:<\/strong> Negotiations progressing: \u201cWith more than one month remaining before the current waterfront labor pact expires, negotiations continue\u201d No mention is made of keeping cargo moving. <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span>June 17, 2008:<\/strong> \u201cProgress continues in labor talks\u201d The statement said, \u201cBoth sides are committed to resolving outstanding issues at the table and to keep West Coast Ports running smoothly.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span>July 1, 2008:<\/strong> At expiration, the PMA said it is \u201cworking hard to resolve the remaining issues in contract negotiations with the (ILWU).\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

July 11, 2008:<\/strong> New disruption begins: PMA states ILWU \u201cordered workers to change standard workplace practices without the approval or knowledge of the employers. According to the PMA, the ILWU \u201cordered workers to change standard workplace practices without the approval or knowledge of the employers.\u201d The PMA added, \u201cIt is concerning to us that the Union has taken this step unilaterally during such a sensitive time in the contract negotiations.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

July 12, 2008:<\/strong> Disruption spread to the PNW. PMA says ILWU locals \u201cwalked off the job at the Port of Tacoma for several hours Friday.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

July 16, 2008:<\/strong> Disruption spreads: According to the PMA, the ILWU \u201cexpanded disruptive job actions at terminals at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, leading to widening productivity losses.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

July 25, 2008:<\/strong> Disruption spreads further: PMA says: \u201cContinuing disruptive labor actions by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are entering their third week. Some terminals are reporting extreme productivity falloffs.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

July 28, 2008:<\/strong> Preliminary agreement announced on new six-year agreement. <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n

May 12, 2014:<\/strong> Contract talks begin. Joint statement says, \u201cBoth sides say they expect cargo to keep moving until an agreement is reached.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span>June 4, 2014:<\/strong> PMA and ILWU jointly provide brief update, saying \u201cBoth parties remain at the table and are working to reach agreement on a new coast-wide contract. <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span>July 1, 2014:<\/strong> At contract expiration, PMA and ILWU jointly state: \u201cWhile there will be no contract extension, cargo will keep moving, and normal operations will continue at the ports until an agreement can be reached.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span>July 7, 2014:<\/strong> PMA and ILWU jointly announce 72-hour suspension of negotiations. <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span>July 11, 2014:<\/strong> PMA and ILWU jointly announce resumption of negotiations, saying \u201cAlthough there is currently no contract in place, both parties have pledged to keep cargo moving.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span>July 18. 2014:<\/strong> PMA and ILWU jointly announce two day break from negotiations. The say, \u201cWhile there is no contract extension in place, both parties have pledged to keep cargo moving.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span>July 25, 2014:<\/strong> PMA and ILWU jointly announce suspension of talks from July 28-Aug. 1. They state, \u201cWhile there is no contract extension in place, both parties have pledged to keep cargo moving.\u201d <\/span>
\nPress release<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Both sides will plan to resume negotiations on August 4th.<\/em> The delay is\u00a0because the\u00a0ILWU is temporarily diverted to the Pacific Northwest due to a dispute\u00a0over staffing at grain terminals. This dispute is not related to the ILWU\/PMA negotiations.<\/p>\n

Concerns<\/em> – major issues are still unresolved\u00a0like the $150 million-a-year healthcare ‘Cadillac’ tax set to come due in 2018.The issue is so controversial\u00a0there is a possibility that the six year contract maybe reduced to a 3-year contract. Read More\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Superior Freight Services, Inc. can assist if you have questions or concerns. Please feel free to contact us at superior@supfrt.com<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or call 800.298.4305.<\/p>\n

Related articles<\/h6>\n