Tentative Deal for U.S. West Coast Ports (Labour Update #3)

U.S. West Coast Ports (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Tacoma, Seattle, etc.)

A tentative labour deal between dockworkers and port employers was reached yesterday (Wednesday), after more than a year of contentious negotiations.

The agreement would run six years between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents more than 22,000 dockworkers, and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), representing employers at 29 ports.

The tentative agreement must be approved by the dockworkers and operators, and could take several months. Both sides said Julie Su, the Labour secretary Designate, helped to broker the deal.

A joint statement between the ILWU and PMA read, “recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating.” President Biden praised the agreement, saying it showed how collective bargaining works. He also congratulated the port workers, saying “port workers, who have served heroically through the pandemic and the countless challenges it brought, and will finally get the pay, benefits, and quality of life they deserve.”

Vancouver and Prince Rupert, BC

No new news to report.

Sources:
1. Statement by Acting Secretary Su after Tentative Agreement reached between International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association, U.S. Department of Labor website, June 14, 2023. Accessed June 15, 2023.
2. ILWU, PMA Announce West Coast Waterfront Contract, Pacific Maritime Association Twitter Page, June 14, 2023. Accessed June 15, 2023.
3. West Coast Dockworkers and Ports Reach Contract Agreement, The Wall Street Journal, June 14, 2023. Accessed June 15, 2023.