Amid stalled labour contract negotiations with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), representing employers at 29 West Coast ports, has decided to suspend vessel loading and unloading at all ports located on the West Coast of the USA.
The four day suspension coincides with “premium-pay” weekend for holiday vessel operations, which command a pay rate premium of at least 50% compared to the basic longshore wage rate.
The days of the suspension are today (Lincoln’s Birthday); Saturday 14 February; Sunday 15 February; and Monday 16 February (Washington’ Birthday).
Yard, rail and gate operations are expected to continue at terminal operators’ discretion.
The PMA says its members have concluded it makes no sense to pay high rates for full shifts of ILWU workers when productivity is severely diminished amid slowdowns during the negotiations.
The previous six-year labour agreement between the PMA and ILWU expired in July. Despite a federal mediator joined the negotiations in early January, the two sides have so far failed to reach a deal.