Union Slows Wash. Ports Cargo, Management Says
Negotiators representing West Coast ocean carriers and port terminal operators charged that the union representing dockworkers there has started “orchestrated slowdowns” at the Seattle and Tacoma, Washington ports.
It’s the first complaint from the Pacific Maritime Association about cargo slowdowns since talks on a new contract with the International Longshore & Warehouse Union began six months ago.
The action at two facilities that handle about 15% of container cargo through West Coast ports marks the latest development in the ongoing freight slowdowns on the region’s docks. In Southern California, where there was no union slowdown reported, delays in cargo processing have been as much as 10 days as chassis supply headaches and the arrival of more ships depositing larger amounts of cargo have led to protracted slowdowns in recent months.
The six-year dock labor contract expired July 1. There has been no extension since then, though management’s statement noted the parties agreed to maintain normal operations as talks continued.
“Now, the ILWU has reneged on that agreement,” said PMA spokesman Wade Gates, who reported a 40% to 60% drop in productivity at the two ports.
The union didn’t respond to requests for comment.
“We are calling upon the ILWU to cease its slowdowns and agree to a temporary contract extension while we negotiate a new contract,” Gates added, saying those steps “would give confidence to shippers and the general public.”
Noting that the slowdown began Oct. 31, Gates also said “we have been told that ILWU business agents sent the slowdown orders out late last week.”
