The union representing US West Coast dockworkers has successfully reached a tentative agreement with employers on a new labour deal, following months of intense negotiations, slowdowns, and disruptions at the ports.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s Coast Longshore Division, along with the Pacific Maritime Association representing terminal operators and ocean carriers, jointly announced on Wednesday night that they have reached a six-year contract agreement.
Negotiations between the two sides have been underway since May 2022, causing disruptions and work slowdowns that led to shutdowns at major ports, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland, just last week.
Acting Labour Secretary Julie Su played a crucial role in facilitating this deal, as acknowledged by the ILWU and the PMA. President Biden also expressed his gratitude to Su, commending her deep experience and judgement in keeping the parties engaged in dialogue.
President Biden went on to praise the dedication and resilience of the port workers, who have valiantly served through the challenges posed by the pandemic. He emphasised that these workers will finally receive the pay, benefits, and quality of life they deserve.
As I have always said, collective bargaining works, and I congratulate both parties at the ports for reaching an agreement. I want to thank Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su who used her deep experience and judgment to keep the parties talking, working with them to reach an agreement after a long and sometimes acrimonious negotiation.
Above all I congratulate the 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.
US President Joe Biden
While the specifics of the agreement have not been disclosed at this time, it is important to note that it still requires ratification from the members of both the ILWU and the PMA.
Representing over 22,000 dockworkers at 29 ports in California, Oregon, and Washington, the ILWU Coast Longshore Division is a vital force in the West Coast logistics landscape.
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, collectively known as the San Pedro port complex, rank among the busiest in the world, handling nearly 29% of all container imports and exports via U.S. waterways.
This tentative labour deal marks a significant step forward in ensuring smoother operations and stability in West Coast maritime logistics, with the potential to positively impact the broader supply chain.
