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...]

West Coast Ports: Near Gridlock Despite Mediation It is being called War of Words that is escalating the dispute between the PMA and ILWU. The PMA is accusing the union of slowdowns and withholding skilled labor that is a causing almost 'complete grid lock'. The ILWU blasted back saying that the PMA conceded that problems were related to operational issues. It seems … [Read more...]

West Coast Ports UPDATE: Federal Mediation Begins In response to a joint request by the ILWU and PMA, the FMCS (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service) announced later yesterday: “In response to a joint request for assistance from the parties, collective bargaining between ILWU and PMA representatives will continue as soon as possible under the auspices of the Federal … [Read more...]