The Port of Seattle shut its cargo operations on Saturday, adding to sporadic disruptions that have plagued West Coast ports for over a week.
The Pacific Maritime Association, which represents ocean carriers and terminal operators, blamed “coordinated and disruptive work actions” for the halt, saying in a statement Saturday that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union refused to dispatch any longshore workers to container terminals during the first shift of the day.
The ILWU, which represents 22,000 dockworkers up and down the West Coast in contract negotiations that began in May 2022, declined to comment. The previous contract expired in July 2022.
Operations at Los Angeles and Long Beach returned to normal by the end of the week after a series of labor actions from June 2 to June 7. Delays to container ships scheduled for those ports have resolved as a result.
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