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Contacts: Wade Gates, (415) 591-4048, pmanews@bm.com Steve Getzug, (310) 633-9444, steve.getzug@hkstrategies.com

ILWU Demands Right to Fire Arbitrators Who Rule Against Them

Unwavering Demand Threatens to Sink Contract Talks; “Slowdowns as a Way of Life”

SAN FRANCISCO (February 9, 2015) – The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) today revealed details of a major Union demand in stalled West Coast contract negotiations: the ILWU’s demand to be able to fire any arbitrator who rules against the Union.

Unfortunately, the latest news from the West Coast is that the PMA (Pacific Maritime Association) announced its member terminals would stop all vessel loading and unloading operations this weekend. Yard, rail and gate operations may continue operating at terminals at the discretion of the terminal operators.

So far, the ports are scheduled to begin operating again on Monday.

As always,we will continue to monitor the situation and inform you of any new updates.
If you have any concerns about your current or future shipments, please do not hesitate to contact us at 800-368-3167.

The AgTC reports that today the PMA will provide the public with an update on the status of the contract negotiations. The press conference, scheduled to take place at 2pm PST, will not announce a lock-out or a settlement. Instead, the PMA will describe what it has offered to the ILWU and will also share data on how the slowdowns have impacted the West Coast.

We will provide more updates as soon as we receive them. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments you may have.

While many rumors have been circulating around the ILWU and PMA contract negotiations, one in particular has presented itself. Though it is not confirmed, and no formal announcement has been made, the AgTC reports there is a good possibility that there will be a shutdown of the West Coast terminals beginning sometime at the end of this week. This shutdown could expand into the weekend and lead to a complete lockout by next week.

The ILWU has advised that there will be a “stop work” meeting taking place this Thursday, meaning the terminals at Los Angeles/Long Beach are expected to be closed Thursday night, adding to the current backlog of shipments. A recent article from the Journal of Commerce documents the number of ships anchored off LA/LB ports and notes that vessels at anchor have been in the double digits since January 14, with no end in sight.