A majority of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) delegates voted Thursday to begin discussions to extend their contract with companies that operate West Coast ports beyond 2019.
More than 100 delegates elected by locals representing ILWU members who work at 30 West Coast ports from San Diego, CA to Bellingham, WA voted to extend the union’s 2014-2019 collective bargaining agreement with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). The PMA represents shipping lines and other companies that handle the bulk of apparel, footwear and equipment global athletic and outdoor brands imported into the United States from Asia. An impasse in contract negotiations from May 2014 through March 2015 led to late deliveries that cost the sporting goods industry millions of dollars in lost or delayed sales.
“The caucus made a tough decision under current circumstances amid a wide range of concerns and opposing views on how to respond to PMA’s request,” said ILWU International President Robert McEllrath. “This is a directive to go and have discussions with the PMA and report back to the membership, and we’ll do just that, with the wellbeing of the rank and file, our communities and the nation in mind.”
The vote came three days after dozens of trade associations sent an open letter to McEllrath and PMA Chairman and CEO James McKenna urging them to initiate contract talks early and pledge to ensure no disruptions occur should the contract expire during talks.
“We fully believe that agreeing early to a contract extension or a new long-term contract will provide the stability and predictability that is needed for global competitiveness that will benefit all stakeholders (labor, terminal operators, cargo owners, etc.) who rely on West Coast ports,” reads the letter, which is signed by the American Apparel & Footwear Association, Outdoor Industry Association, Sports & Fitness Industry Association, Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America and Retail Industry Leaders Association.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s Coast Longshore Division represents approximately 20,000 longshore workers on the West Coast of the United States.
