Americas News
West Coast Port Strike Over
After more than seven months, the labour dispute which has caused disruption to U.S. West Coast ports is officially over, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Acting Director Allison Beck announced in an emailed statement.
A tentative agreement between the The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and employer representatives Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) was finally reached late last Friday, February 20, 2015.
“I am extremely pleased to announce today that after extensive negotiations and mediation provided by the FMCS and with the support and assistance of Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, representatives of the ILWU and PMA have tentatively agreed to a new contract, resolving all outstanding issues that divided them and that have affected operations at U.S. west coast ports," she said.
"Due to the complexity of the issues the parties had to address, these have been lengthy and at times difficult negotiations. The parties persevered over a long and challenging process and were ultimately successful in averting any further situations that could have been disruptive to shipping operations and to the nation’s economy.
“As a result of their efforts, shippers can expect that normal operations will be restored as soon as possible at our nation’s west coast ports."
The agreement still needs to be approved by the roughly 13,000 members of the ILWU.
The two sides had been in negotiations since the expiry of the previous labour contract on July 1, 2014.
The strike has led to mounting port congestion as shipowners complained of work stoppages.
Last week, it was reported that suppliers in the area were anticipating less demand for fuel as ships looking to avoid the West Coast dispute re-routed their voyages.
