Talks Continue to Avert Port Strike
Negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) are in a holding pattern, with dialogue continuing and no dockworkers’ slowdown or strike as of yet.
And, according to Jack Kyser, chief economist at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., that’s a hopeful sign.
“As long as they keep talking and there’s no slowdown on the docks, all is well,” he said.
Kyser also said that things can keep moving as long as there is not a repeat of the confrontation that took place recently.
“There was a shouting match [between the ILWU and the PMA] last week and harsh words were exchanged,” said Kyser. “That got people upset, but now they’ve gone back to the bargaining table and all seems to be well.”
Kyser noted that key issues remain, including technological advances that the PMA wants to implement for increased efficiency and pay-related issues dear to the union.
“Obviously, the technological issues that the PMA has on the table, to the union, mean a potential for job losses,” he said. “That will be a hot button.”
Kyser also said that the ILWU’s position on pay benefits has failed to capture mass support for the union.
“There were discussions of pay benefits and the ILWU is saying there is a ’class warfare,’ which is interesting for a union where members are making $90,000 a year,” said Kyser. “A lot of people are noting that detail with no little amusement. I imagine apparel workers would like to have that.”
The longshoremen’s contract with the PMA, which was due to expire on July 1, was extended that same day. As of press time, both parties had agreed to an additional 24-hour extension and work continued as usual at the ports despite speculation that workers would stage a work slowdown.
According to Kyser, the PMA is responding to the potential work slowdown with a hint of a lockout.
Some industry watchers say they think the negotiators are releasing little news in an effort to focus on resolution.
“Monday [July 1] was the deadline and I haven’t heard any reports,” said Barry Sedlik, chief executive officer of the World Trade Center Organization, on July 2. “I guess at this stage, things have clamped down, since they are in negotiations, although there have been other reports that said that the union says it will not strike.”
Sedlik said that both parties have self-imposed an information blackout until some sort of resolution is reached.
ILWU and PMA officials could not be reached for comment.
