ILWU & PMA Resume Negotiations

Following a three-day extension of the previous contract, the ILWU and PMA have resumed negotiations on a new contract. The ILWU and the PMA took a recess so that the ILWU could participate in contract negotiations of grain handlers in the Pacific Northwest.

During the recess, the Teamsters Union picketed at several marine terminals in Southern California to protest misclassification of drivers at three of the largest drayage companies . The ILWU workers walked off of their jobs to avoid crossing the picket line. According to the JOC, “An arbitrator has ruled that ILWU members at LA-Long Beach must return to work after refusing to cross the picket lines set up by the Teamsters Union at two terminals.” Further, “The arbitrator determined that the picket was illegal under the waterfront contract and ordered the longshoreman back to work.”

Now that the extension has expired, the longshoremen could honor the Teamsters pickets if they choose to organize and establish more protests. The arbitrator would not be able to order the longshoremen back to work in the absence of a contract.

At this time, any work stoppages or protests do not seem imminent and cargo handling should continue to move through the West Coast ports.

Source: Journal of Commerce