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White House urged to shepherd labor talks at West Coast ports

Industry groups warn of economic damage without quick resolution of expiring ILWU contract

A longshore worker drivers a yard tractor at the Port of Los Angeles. (Photo: Port of L.A.)

Four dozen industry groups asked the White House on Tuesday to play an early role in impending contract negotiations between terminal management and dockworkers at West Coast ports to ensure there is no deterioration in cargo processing amid ongoing port congestion and trade uncertainty associated with the war in Ukraine.

The contract between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union is set to expire at the end of June. Automation and higher compensation are expected to be the top agenda items, with port operators interested in technology to address inefficiencies contributing to COVID-related backlogs and labor seeking a cut of record profits by ocean carriers, which control many terminals.

Contentious bargaining in 2001 and 2014 led to huge disruptions — a lockout and a work slowdown — that impacted the national economy for weeks until container piles could get delivered.

“Pandemic-related disruptions in the nation’s supply chain have been costly and inconvenient,” Brian Dodge, president of the Retail Leaders Industry Association, said in a statement that coincided with correspondence to the Biden administration. “Allowing a work slowdown or a shutdown to impact operations would amount to a self-inflicted wound, compounding congestion and leading to even higher costs on everyday products for consumers.”


U.S. West Coast ports — from San Diego to Seattle — account for more than 44% of container import traffic.

The letter from 49 groups, ranging from the powerful U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Toy Association to the North American Meat Institute and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, urged the White House to encourage and, if necessary, convene the parties to facilitate negotiations.

Last week, the National Retail Federation asked the PMA and ILWU to start talks as soon as possible so an agreement can be hashed out before the deadline.

Uncertainty about the outcome is already causing shippers to detour cargo from the West Coast ports, or make other arrangements, in case the ports stop functioning well, the industry representatives said.


“Previous labor disputes at ports cost the U.S. economy upwards of $1 to $2 billion per day,” said Steve Lamar, president of the American Apparel & Footwear Association. “To say the stakes are even higher today is an extreme understatement, as even a short slowdown or shutdown will disrupt already fragile supply chains and compound inflationary pressure.”

The letter noted that U.S. ports rank low in productivity comparisons to global competitors and need “targeted investment and support for infrastructure modernization and automation with workers skilled and prepared for these advanced jobs.”

The leaders also called for continued administration focus on systemic operational challenges and facilitation of data sharing across all stakeholder groups so everyone knows when containers are available to move.

“We believe these are vital elements that must be considered in any final agreement between PMA and ILWU. We agree with the administration’s assessment that our country’s ports are the gateways for getting goods to market, and we ask the Biden-Harris Administration to compel the parties to address these important issues now to ensure our supply chains are fully prepared to support continued economic growth and mitigate potential disruptions,” the trade associations said.

Click here for more FreightWaves and American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.

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Eric Kulisch

Eric is the Supply Chain and Air Cargo Editor at FreightWaves. An award-winning business journalist with extensive experience covering the logistics sector, Eric spent nearly two years as the Washington, D.C., correspondent for Automotive News, where he focused on regulatory and policy issues surrounding autonomous vehicles, mobility, fuel economy and safety. He has won two regional Gold Medals and a Silver Medal from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for government and trade coverage, and news analysis. He was voted best for feature writing and commentary in the Trade/Newsletter category by the D.C. Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He won Environmental Journalist of the Year from the Seahorse Freight Association in 2014 and was the group's 2013 Supply Chain Journalist of the Year. In December 2022, Eric was voted runner up for Air Cargo Journalist by the Seahorse Freight Association. As associate editor at American Shipper Magazine for more than a decade, he wrote about trade, freight transportation and supply chains. He has appeared on Marketplace, ABC News and National Public Radio to talk about logistics issues in the news. Eric is based in Vancouver, Washington. He can be reached for comments and tips at ekulisch@freightwaves.com