Contract Negotiations with Port Union Workers Expires Today, Talks to Continue
Today’s deadline to reach a negotiation on contracts between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) continues to loom with the negotiations expected to extend past the 5 p.m. PST deadline.
Negotiations have been underway for more than a month to reach a six-year deal on new contracts for 20,000 longshore workers along the West Coast. Both sides have been mum on details regarding the contract negotiations. Billions of dollars in commerce are at stake as failure to reach an agreement could lead to a shutdown of the ports.
In an act of solidarity, ILWU members have changed their Facebook profile pictures to the union’s logo.
A report released last week by the National Retail Federation (NRF) suggested that a shutdown of the ports could have a serious impact on the national economy. According to the report, which measured loss to the GDP, a five-day shutdown could disrupt the economy by $1.9 billion and 73,000 jobs, a 10-day shutdown by $2.1 billion and 169,000 jobs, and a 20-day shutdown by $2.5 billion and 405,000 jobs. The report was conducted by the Interindustry Forecasting Project at the University of Maryland. The report was commissioned by NRF and the National Association of Manufacturers.
Craig Merrilees, Communications Director for ILWU, was aware of the new report and refuted its economic data.
“It’s a bogus report using a questionable methodology designed to scare politicians and influence the talks. It’s an old trick and they trot it out every time. It didn’t work then and it’s not going to work now,” he said.
A representative for PMA could not be reached for comment.
Industry experts are hoping a deal can be reached to avoid a shutdown similar to the 10-day lockout in 2002 when port activity stopped after contract negotiations stalled.
“There’s a lot of things to discuss and they’re doing their best, but no one is making any predications at this point,” said Merrilees.
