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 International Longshore and Warehouse Union will be suspended coastwide on Thursday (Lincoln’s Birthday), Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Washington’s Birthday).
Yard, gate and rail operations will continue at terminal operators’ discretion, the PMA said. Southern California terminal operators will expand daytime vessel operations on non-holiday weekdays.
The PMA’s action was the most far-reaching in a series of shutdowns of vessel operations during the acrimonious, nine-month-long contract negotiations between the employer group and the ILWU.
There is growing pressure for the Obama Administration to get involved to compel the negotiators to reach an agreement. Trade groups have requested direct presidential involvement. Over a dozen lawmakers have urged both sides to resolve the 9-month negotiations.
Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Oregon:
“This is clearly the greatest threat our nation faces, notwithstanding the stuff that’s going on overseas.”
Schrader along with other lawmakers:
“to put aside their differences and resolve their dispute, and, if there is a shutdown, for the president to use all tools at his disposal,” including the Taft-Hartley Act.
To read more: JOC
Leave a Reply