US West Coast ports reach tentative agreement

On late Wednesday afternoon, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) reached a tentative agreement that would encompass all 29 ports along the US West Coast. This new six-year deal comes after 13 months of prolonged negotiations that resulted in ongoing port disruptions throughout the West Coast this past week. Specific details of the agreement have not yet been revealed, adding that it is still subject to ratification by both parties.

Critical negotiations

According to the Journal of Commerce, negotiations had entered a critical phase in which the talks could go either way – a tentative settlement by the end of the week or a possible strike or employer lockout. The significance of this week was evident by the arrival of the Acting US Labor Secretary Julie Su in San Francisco on Monday after a week of labor actions that disrupted port operations up and down the West Coast.

Significance of agreement

In a joint statement from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), and Acting US Labor Secretary Julie Su, it is implied that actions commenced by the ILWU such as the withholding of adequate labor in crucial job classifications or the delayed dispatching of dockworkers, would come to an end. DSV is keeping in close contact with local operations.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to your local DSV representative.